IAN McMillan’s accent is being used by researchers to develop a device to help local people with speech disorders.
The Barnsley poet has been working with a team from the University of Sheffield to help them design a portable communication aid, which turns unintelligible speech into recognisable words.
The computer generated voice will be based on his because researchers believe users will prefer to sound natural and have ‘local flavour’.
It is aimed at those who have difficulty controlling muscles involved talking, such as stroke victims or people with cerebral palsy.
Professor Phil Green said: “If the person is using the device as their primary mode of communication, it is important that the output voice is suitable to represent that person.”
His experience as a voice artist is another reason why he was asked to donate his dulcet tones to the Voice Input Voice Output Communication Aid project, which also involves Barnsley hospital.
Ian said: “'I'm happy, excited and flattered that my voice is going to be used to help others find their voice; for years I've wanted people to find their creative voice, but here's a concrete example of them finding their real voice.”
