A Method for Differentiating Homophonic First Names when Using Speech Recognition Technology

Copyright © Alan Cantor 2009. All rights reserved.
Presented at the SIG 11 (Computer Applications) Show-and-Tell at RESNA 2009.

Executive summary

Despite the accuracy of speech recognition technology, homophonic first names — names that are pronounced the same but spelled differently — will always be subject to error. During free-form dictation, no amount of context or data will enable the software to reliably determine whether a user means "Katherine," "Kathryn," or "Catherine;" or "Bobby," "Bobbi," or "Bobbie."

To address this difficulty, I experimented with a mnemonic (memory aid) to make homophonic names acoustically distinct. The pronunciation for each name consists of:

1. The name
2. "with" OR "without"
3. "a" OR "an" OR "one" OR "two"
4. A singular or plural letter of the alphabet, or its equivalent

Examples:

Ann = Anne without an E.
Dillon = Dylan with two Ells
Greg = Greg with one Gee
Kathy = Cathy with a Kay

I have compiled a list of name-pronunciation pairs that can be imported as NaturallySpeaking custom words. The names require no training; the list is easily expanded and customized; and other mnemonics can be added or substituted. A basic name-pronunciation list is available from the author on request.