Romanian language coarticulation model for visual speech simulations

In this paper, we propose a 3D facial animation model for simulating visual speech production in the Romanian language. Using a set of existing 3D key shapes representing facial animation visemes, fluid animations describing facial activity during speech pronunciation are provided, taking into account the Romanian language coarticulation effects which are discussed in this paper. A novel mathematical model for defining efficient viseme coarticulation functions for 3D facial animations is also provided. The 3D tongue activity could be closely observed in real-time while different words are pronounced in Romanian, by allowing transparency for the 3D head model, thus making tongue, teeth and the entire oral cavity visible. The purpose of this work is to provide a framework designed for helping people with hearing disabilities learn how to articulate correctly in Romanian and also it works as a training-assistant for Romanian language lip-reading.