How to model face and tongue biomechanics for the study of speech production?
Résumé
This talk focuses on the physical modeling of two speech articulators, namely the face and the tongue, which behaviors are very specific compared to other articulators. Indeed, facial and lingual tissues are non isotropic and deform themselves at high velocities. The biomechanical modeling of such tissues is therefore very complex and requires a strong attention, especially in the case of realistic physical models of speech articulators in order to evaluate motor control strategies. A short review of biomechanical models proposed in the literature are exposed, with a more specific focus onto facial biomechanics (an important concern for the AVSP community). Then, the physically based methods used to model soft tissues are presented and discussed. In this framework, the Finite Element model of the face we have introduced in the context of computer-aided maxillo facial surgery is described and its use for speech production will be discussed.