Speech recognition is portrayed as sentient in Iron Man, computerised in Star Trek and just plain embarrassing in any comedy where people are trying to interact with telephonic versions of the technology. The truth is probably closest to Star Trek where commands are issued, recognised and executed. The technology isn’t AI, meaning you can’t interact with it like an all-seeing personal assistant. It also isn’t at a point where its designed for general users.
These support-orientated systems typically have far fewer words in their vocabulary because they’re dealing with more niche and programmed engagements. Dragon’s 300,000+ word vocabulary is designed to make it possible for you to say almost anything and have it transcribed, including customised entries. Intelligent systems that usually provide information over the phone are designed to work with anyone’s voice and limited word entries that make it easier to bypass the need to mold to each user’s unique vocal characteristics.
Nowadays we’ve moved beyond the stigma of pop culture where misrecognitions become hilarious joke set ups in order to frustrate or befuddle users. Yet, this isn’t to say there isn’t the chance for you to laugh at the kind of mistakes the software can and does make. While it’s amusing to see what Dragon spits out when you first pronounce an unusual name or surname, the results can actually help you figure out how the software is interpreting your speech – an article for another day.
The trick is to rely on Dragon but not to become over-reliant on the software. It’s not infallible and as quickly and smoothly as you can transcribe an email in record-breaking time, it’s always a good idea to scan over it for errors before hitting send. Speed and productivity are cornerstones of the Dragon experience, however it’s not human and can make errors – specifically around homonyms and words that almost have identical soundwaves.
One type of funny or embarrassing error is when you send someone an email without giving it a proper scan and an out of context error crops up. This is especially odd for the receiver because if they don’t know you’re using speech recognition software, they may think happy hour started early or that you’re purposefully trying to be silly. To minimise and explain this kind of awkward situation you can create a one-liner below outgoing emails to indicate that you are using speech recognition software.
What was said:
Thanks for the email Jim. I’m sure we can schedule the meet up for next week Tuesday just after lunch?
How it was transcribed:
Thanks for the email Jim. I’m sure we can schedule the beat up for next week Tuesday just after lunch?
Another strange situation occurs when you forget the microphone is on. While its possible for Dragon to misrecognise your “Microphone Off” command, there are times when you simply forget it’s on. Being interrupted in your office or by a phone call can mean you turn back to screen to find a ream of transcription. For more private conversations be aware of the mic status to avoid this kind of problem. It may simply require that you delete a paragraph, but is worth noting to avoid inputting unwanted text into the middle of a document or email.
Other than the occasional funny misrecognition, missed error or block of unwanted text… Dragon’s speed and accuracy mean that you’ll start to miss it when it’s not working optimally. Finding the right balance when it comes to reviewing your work and getting it out there is something you’ll have to figure out for yourself. In some instances and when colleagues are aware of your input method, minor errors are more than acceptable when speed of communication is more important.
Some of our clients have used Dragon’s misrecognition to craft a form of poetry but purposefully mumbling and trying to create strange combinations of words based on how it deciphers your speech. Others have put the headset on to try and capture what they say in their sleep or meditative states. While it’s uses are obviously geared towards business, it is funny to hear how some people find new avenues of uses for the productivity tool.