Voice Recognition for Learning Mandarin?

[character]

Hello,

I am new to this excellent forum.

Does anyone have experience using Mandarin voice recognition software? Have you found it useful in learning correct pronounciation/tones? I've been able to find a few products which sound interesting (PenPower Mandarin VoiceWriter, Tell Me More Chinese) but I've not been able to find reviews detailed enough to know if they are worth buying.

Thanks!

[self-taught-mba]

Oh boy! The post that was made for me! Ironically enough, my VR software won't recogn. my voice now b/c I'm sick. So I can't do the long reply for it right now. How ironic is that!!!

Meanwhile, more background info will help me answer your Q later. (as with all such questions regarding Chinese, the invariable answer is "it depends" more info will help)

What is your current level?

Can you speak sentences yet? (Quick answer: if no, then def. "no" to PenPower)

Are you "understandable" when speaking but still have other tone problems?

What is your goal/main purpose?

[character]

Meanwhile, more background info will help me answer your Q later.

What is your current level? Definitely a beginner where speaking is concerned. Some progress on characters/words.

(Quick answer: if no, then def. "no" to PenPower)

I'd still be interested in a (as detailed as you care to make it) review of PenPower.

What is your goal/main purpose? My absolute main goal is reading/writing, but I've come to feel I should learn listening/speaking skills at the same time. Unfortunately it will be months before I can attend a Mandarin class.

[Ferno]

i find it hard to believe that a software would be able to recongnize tones, which are often skipped or muddled by native speakers...does it really work? It would be really cool!

[geraldc]

You have to train voice recognition programs by reading passages to it. It then learns over time. If your pronunciation isn't standard, the computer will still recognise your speech, even if no one else can.