Editing State-of-the-art (section)

==== Li, W., Tang, B., Yin, X., Zhao, Y., Li, W., Wang, K., Huang, H., Wang, Y., & Ma, Z. (2020). Improving Accent Conversion with Reference Encoder and End-To-End Text-To-Speech. arXiv preprint arXiv:2005.09271. Retrieved from <nowiki>https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.09271</nowiki> ====
'''Summary:''' This paper presents an end-to-end accent conversion framework aimed at transforming non-native accents into native accents while preserving the speaker's voice timbre. The proposed system introduces reference encoders to utilize multi-source information and optimizes the model architecture using GMM-based attention for improved synthesized performance. Experimental results show significant improvements in acoustic quality and native accent while retaining the non-native speaker's voice identity.

'''RQ:''' How can accent conversion be improved to better transform non-native accents into native accents in a way that maintains the original speaker's voice identity? 

'''Hypothesis:''' Incorporating reference encoders and optimizing the model architecture with GMM-based attention will enhance the quality and naturalness of converted speech, leading to more effective accent conversion.

'''Conclusion:''' Incorporating reference encoders and optimizing the model architecture with GMM-based attention will enhance the quality and naturalness of converted speech, leading to more effective accent conversion.

'''Critical observations:''' The paper highlights the importance of prosodic and expressive information in accent conversion, which is effectively captured by the reference encoder. The GMM-based attention mechanism is found to be more stable and powerful for feature representation compared to traditional windowed attention.

'''Relevance:''' The research is relevant to accent modification efforts, particularly in language learning and pronunciation training contexts. The proposed accent conversion techniques could be applied to develop tools that help non-native speakers improve their pronunciation and reduce their accents, thereby enhancing communication and integration in societies where the target language is spoken natively.