INDICVOICES: Building an Inclusive Multilingual Speech Dataset for Indian Languages

Concetti Chiave

Creating a diverse and representative speech dataset for Indian languages through inclusive data collection efforts.

Sintesi

INDICVOICES presents a dataset of natural and spontaneous speech from 16237 speakers covering 145 districts and 22 languages in India. The dataset includes read, extempore, and conversational audio, aiming to capture the cultural, linguistic, and demographic diversity of the country. The open-source blueprint shared in the paper includes protocols, tools, questions, prompts, and quality control mechanisms for data collection at scale. The dataset will support the development of IndicASR model supporting all 22 languages listed in the Constitution of India. The effort involves personnel across various roles to collect and transcribe hours of speech data while ensuring inclusivity and representation of diversity.

Statistiche

INDICVOICES dataset contains a total of 7348 hours of audio from 16237 speakers covering 145 districts and 22 languages.
Median transcription time per language is 73 hours.
The dataset includes read (9%), extempore (74%), and conversational (17%) audio.

Citazioni

"We confront the elephant in the room, which is lack of sufficient, diverse and high-quality training data in these languages."
"We hope that all the data, tools, guidelines developed will serve as an open source framework for data collection projects in other multilingual regions."

Approfondimenti chiave tratti da

IndicVoices

by Tahir Javed,... alle arxiv.org 03-05-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.01926.pdf

Domande più approfondite

How can similar inclusive datasets be created for other multilingual regions?

Creating inclusive datasets for other multilingual regions involves several key steps:

Understanding the Linguistic Landscape: Begin by identifying the languages spoken in the region and their distribution across different demographics.

Building a Network of Local Partners: Collaborate with local organizations, universities, language experts, and community influencers to recruit participants and ensure cultural sensitivity.

Developing Customized Prompts: Tailor prompts and questions to reflect the diverse cultural backgrounds, interests, and daily experiences of participants in each language.

Utilizing Technology Platforms: Implement user-friendly data collection platforms like Karya that can operate offline and synchronize data efficiently.

Implementing Quality Control Measures: Establish robust quality control mechanisms to verify participant information, audio recordings, and adherence to diversity criteria.

Training Local Coordinators: Provide training to coordinators on using data collection tools effectively and ensuring consistency in procedures across different locations.

Ensuring Data Privacy : Maintain strict protocols for handling sensitive participant information while collecting data ethically.

How can technology be leveraged to improve the efficiency of large-scale speech data collection efforts?

Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing efficiency during large-scale speech data collection efforts:

Automated Transcription Tools: Utilize automated transcription tools powered by AI algorithms to transcribe recorded audio quickly and accurately.

Data Management Systems: Implement centralized databases or cloud-based systems for storing, organizing, and accessing collected speech data securely.

Real-time Monitoring: Use real-time monitoring features within data collection platforms to track progress, identify issues early on, and make necessary adjustments.

AI-driven Quality Assurance: Employ AI algorithms for quality assurance tasks such as detecting anomalies in audio recordings or verifying demographic information provided by participants.

Remote Collaboration Tools: Facilitate remote collaboration among team members through communication platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams for seamless coordination during data collection activities.

What challenges might arise when collecting speech data from remote or less-accessible areas?

Collecting speech data from remote or less-accessible areas presents unique challenges:

Limited Connectivity: In rural or remote areas with poor internet connectivity infrastructure may hinder real-time synchronization of collected audio files with central servers.

2 . Cultural Sensitivities: Cultural differences may impact participation rates as some communities may have reservations about recording their voices due to privacy concerns or traditional beliefs.
3 . Language Dialects: Variations in dialects within a language can pose challenges in standardizing prompts/questions that resonate with all speakers from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
4 . Logistics & Infrastructure: Lack of adequate transportation facilities or technical equipment (e.g., smartphones) could impede access for potential participants living in isolated regions.
5 . Data Security Concerns: Ensuring secure storage of sensitive personal information gathered during the process is critical but may be challenging without proper safeguards in place.
These challenges require careful planning, stakeholder engagement at grassroots levels,and innovative solutions leveraging technology where possible,to overcome barriers faced during speech datcollectioninremoteorless-accessibleareas..