DYNARTmo: A Dynamic Articulatory Model for Visualization of Speech Movement Patterns

2025-07-27

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of visualizing dynamic articulatory processes in speech production. We propose DYNARTmo, a two-dimensional midsagittal dynamic articulatory model that integrates articulatory underspecification, segment–action control, and coarticulation mechanisms. Built upon the UK-DYNAMO framework, DYNARTmo employs ten continuous and six discrete parameters to jointly control six key articulators, enabling physiologically plausible simulation of both vowel and consonant configurations. The model is embedded in the web application SpeechArticulationTrainer, supporting interactive, multi-view visualization—including midsagittal, glottal, and palatal perspectives. Unlike static articulatory models, DYNARTmo is the first open-source platform to generate controllable, interpretable articulatory trajectories with explicit biomechanical grounding. It has been deployed in phonetics education and clinical speech therapy. Moreover, DYNARTmo establishes a scalable dynamic infrastructure for modeling the articulation–acoustics coupling, advancing computational phonetics and speech science.

Technology Category

Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Simulating Human BehaviorNatural Language Processing: SpeechPlanning, Routing, and Scheduling: Model-Based Reasoning

Application Category

User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: User modeling and simulation for interactive and conversational systemsGraph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphsSystems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Applied ML and AI for Web-based mobile applications

Abstract

We present DYNARTmo, a dynamic articulatory model designed to visualize speech articulation processes in a two-dimensional midsagittal plane. The model builds upon the UK-DYNAMO framework and integrates principles of articulatory underspecification, segmental and gestural control, and coarticulation. DYNARTmo simulates six key articulators based on ten continuous and six discrete control parameters, allowing for the generation of both vocalic and consonantal articulatory configurations. The current implementation is embedded in a web-based application (SpeechArticulationTrainer) that includes sagittal, glottal, and palatal views, making it suitable for use in phonetics education and speech therapy. While this paper focuses on the static modeling aspects, future work will address dynamic movement generation and integration with articulatory-acoustic modules.

Problem

• Visualize speech articulation in 2D midsagittal plane
• Simulate six key articulators with control parameters
• Support phonetics education and speech therapy applications

Innovation

• Dynamic articulatory model for speech visualization
• Integrates underspecification, segmental, and gestural control
• Web-based application with multiple articulatory views