CALL: Linguistic reality and technological limitations - brains vs chips

Behind the somewhat pompous name of this paper hides a much more modest aim. It is an attempt at clarifying one of the major problem areas found in the field of Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), specifically the use of Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR). The aim of CALL is to produce tools aiding the acquisition of foreign languages and, long-term, to produce full-fledged, virtual, multi-modal language tutors. In essence, the teacher in the machine. Focusing specifically on Computer Assisted Pronunciation Training (CAPT) I intend to present a, hopefully, pedagogic picture of how the mind works in relation to adopting the sounds of a foreign language (L2), both perceptionand productionwise, and illustrate the shortcomings of ASR in comparison. I also intend to present you with some rather unsubstantiated ideas on language learning which can hopefully generate a wholesome debate.