Momo Miyazaki and Andrew Spitz at the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) provide a solution to pronunciation woes with their WTPh 'What the Phonics' Application.
Their installation is a diction aid for non-native speakers of the Danish language. With absolute utility in mind, they installed their devices on street signs in Copenhagen to aid tourists and other passers by with the pronunciation of street names.
They created this superbly helpful device by recording fluent Danish speakers saying the street names, and breaking them down into syllables. The user-friendly device provides karaoke style lighting above each word that matches syllables to optimize the convenience of the device. When people lift the featured speakers off the wall, the application begins to play.
With the amount of tourists that flock to the Danish capital, this device facilitates the mobility of travelers. This concept is so helpful that it should be adopted by more cities who benefit or are reliant on tourism.
Danish Diction Installations
'What the Phonics' Application Aids Pronunciation for Non-Natives
Trend Themes
1. Augmented Reality Language Learning - The 'What the Phonics' Application uses augmented reality technology to aid non-native speakers in learning the pronunciation of a foreign language through visual and audio cues.
2. Smart City Tourism Solutions - The installation of the pronunciation aid on street signs demonstrates the potential for smart cities to utilize technology to enhance the tourist experience and promote cultural understanding.
3. User-friendly Language Assistants - The device's user-friendly design and interactive features showcase the growing trend of language assistance tools that are accessible and easy to use for travelers.
Industry Implications
1. Language Learning - The 'What the Phonics' Application is a disruptive innovation opportunity for the language learning industry to incorporate augmented reality and interactive technology into their programs.
2. Tourism - The tourism industry can benefit from adopting similar language pronunciation aids to enhance the experience of foreign visitors and promote cultural immersion.
3. Smart City Technology - The installation of language assistance devices on street signs highlights the potential for smart city technology to create more inclusive and accessible urban environments for both residents and tourists alike.