June 1, 2006

Facing your voice

Did you know scientists could trace
Your voice, from the shape of your face?
But just as I feared
Their tool isn't geared
To handle your beard -- a lost case!

Aljazeera.Net 31/05/06: Mona Lisa speaks out. Matsumi Suzuki, the president of the Japan Acoustic Laboratory in Tokyo, said he had achieved 90% accuracy in creating Mona Lisa's voice. He said the Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo di Vinci in the 16th century, would have had a relatively low voice since the lower part of her face is quite wide, while her pointed chin would add mid-pitch tones. Suzuki's team has also tried to recreate the artist's voice, but Suzuki was less confident about its accuracy because he had to work from self-portraits where the shape of the face was hidden by a beard. Get the story here

1 comment:

  1. Padmaja Iyengar2:08 PM

    Talking of faces, I reproduce a limerick written by Woodrow Wilson,
    though unconnected to this news item:

    As a beauty, I am no great star,
    There are others handsomer afar.
    But my face - I don't mind it
    Because I am behind it.
    It's the people in front that I jar.