Linda Bakkouche
Why do some people learn new speech sounds more easily than others?
I combine speech science, cognitive psychology, artificial intelligence and data science to find out, and to understand how listeners respond to synthetic voices.
Research themes
AI voices
Voice cloning, text-to-speech, naturalness and speaker similarity.
Second-language speech
Perception, production and phonetic training in a new language.
Individual differences
How auditory processing, memory and experience predict learning success.
EEG & FFR
Neural encoding of speech and its link to perception and learning.
Acoustic phonetics
Formant dynamics, voice onset time, prosody and speech timing.
Data science
Mixed-effects models, machine learning and reproducible workflows.
Current projects
SoundCoach
Exploring how AI-supported pronunciation training can adapt to each learner, moving beyond one-size-fits-all feedback.
ProsodAI
How native and second-language listeners perceive AI-generated speech, and which acoustic cues make it sound human.
EEG & frequency-following responses
Linking the brain's encoding of speech sounds with perception, production and learning in a second language.
Selected publications
Full list on Google Scholar and ORCID.
Try the tasks
Browser-based tasks I use to measure abilities that contribute to speech and language learning.
Serial Reaction Time Task
A measure of procedural and implicit learning: respond to boxes on screen as quickly as you can while a hidden sequence repeats.
Selected references
Nissen, M. J., & Bullemer, P. (1987). Attentional requirements of learning: Evidence from performance measures. Cognitive Psychology, 19(1), 1–32.
Reed, J., & Johnson, P. (1994). Assessing implicit learning with indirect tests: Determining what is learned about sequence structure. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 20(3), 585–594.
Abrahamse, E. L., & Verwey, W. B. (2008). Context dependent learning in the serial reaction time task. Psychological Research, 72(4), 397–404.
Granena, G. (2013). Cognitive aptitudes for second language learning and the role of implicit learning abilities.
Hamrick, P. (2015). Declarative and procedural memory abilities as individual differences in second language acquisition.
Phoneme Deletion Task
A measure of phonological awareness: listen to a word and remove one sound from its beginning, middle or end.
Teaching & supervision
I teach phonetics, phonology, applied linguistics and research methods, and supervise dissertation projects in experimental design, acoustic phonetics, second-language acquisition and speech technology.
Programming
Machine learning
Speech processing
Web application design
Let's work together
I welcome enquiries about collaboration, invited talks and supervision. My contact details are on my Cambridge Phonetics Laboratory page.