Instructions for Recording Accent Models

By Pamela Vanderway

Prepare a Quiet Recording Environment

  • Select a quiet room with minimal background noise (avoid spaces near traffic, loud appliances, or crowds).

  • Ask your accent model to silence their phone and other devices to avoid interruptions during the recording.

  • Ensure the model is comfortable and relaxed, as this will help them speak naturally.

Get Your Smart Phone Ready to Record

  • Set your smartphone to airplane mode to prevent disruptions during the recording.

  • Open the voice recording app (iPhone: Voice Memos; Android: Voice Recorder, etc.).

  • Position the phone about 6-12 inches from the speaker’s mouth, ensuring the microphone is clear and facing the model. This will capture the voice clearly without distortion.


Record Elicitation Passages

  • Ask your accent model to read the specific elicitation passages provided below. These passages have been written to include all the features of spoken English so that the model’s complete accent will be preserved.

  • Ensure the model is speaking at their normal pace and volume. This is not about performance.


Conduct the Interview

  • After recording the readings, proceed to the interview phase. Engage the accent model in a casual conversation, asking them to speak in their primary way of communicating. This allows for a more natural speech sample that reflects their everyday interactions. Suggested interview questions are included below.

  • Keep the conversation relaxed. Overly formal situations may cause the model to alter their natural speech patterns.


Labeling the Recording

  • Once the recording is complete, save the file immediately to avoid losing the data.


  • Clearly label the recording with:

  1. The accent they are speaking in (e.g., "New York English”)

  2. The model’s first name and last initial (e.g., "John D.")

  3. The date of the recording (e.g., “2024-10-07")

Example filename: Boston_English_JaneD_2024-10-07.mp3



Storage and Backup

  • Store the recordings securely, preferably in a cloud storage service for easy access and backup.


  • Consider keeping a log of all recordings with details like the model’s background, the accent, and any relevant notes about their speech characteristics.

    Following these steps will help ensure you capture high-quality audio samples for your accent model library.


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