Editing Dragon Dictate (section)

=== Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) ===
To better understand Dragon Dictate, we first need to understand what automatic speech recognition technology is. Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) is a “machine-based process of decoding and transcribingoral speech”(Levis & Suvorov, 2012, p. l) that is built into numerous technologies such as automated call centers and dictation programs.

Much of the early interest in ASR focused on dictation programs. Dictation programs were developed for native speakers of a given language and are built into both Windows and Mac operating systems as part of their accessibility services. Dictation programs use ASR to interpret what the user has said and provide the spoken utterance in written form.<ref>[https://www.iastatedigitalpress.com/psllt/article/id/15376/ McCrocklin, S. & Humaidan, A. & Edalatishams, I., (2018) “Asr Dictation Program Accuracy: Have Current Programs Improved?”, ''Pronunciation in Second Language Learning and Teaching Proceedings'' 10(1).]</ref>

At their essence, dictation programs harnessed the power of ASR to interpret spoken language, converting it into written text—a feat that held profound implications for accessibility, productivity, and the study of human communication.