A new exhibit in the UK’s ancient city of York unveils the state-of-the-art technology that recreates the voice of King Richard III. The project took 10 years and a team of specialists to put together, basing the avatar’s voice on evidence and historical accuracy. Using a combination of dentistry, physiotherapy, forensic psychology, and 15th-century pronunciation, they were able to recreate his voice with 90% accuracy. The voice of King Richard III has an earthy twang and echoes of a Yorkshire dialect.
The project was made possible by the discovery of King Richard III’s remains in a parking lot in Leicester in 2012. This discovery helped debunk myths about the king’s appearance, such as him being a hunchback. The project also utilized the expertise of a linguist to recreate the 15th-century English accent based on spelling, rhymes, and historical sources. The avatar was played by British actor Thomas Dennis, chosen for his physical resemblance to the king.
The project has been praised as a brilliant step in historical research, allowing people to explore less tangible aspects of Richard III’s life in new and innovative ways. The success of this project has led to speculations about recreating other famous voices and faces from history. David Crystal, who worked on the project, expressed excitement about the possibilities for future re-creations. The exhibit provides audiences with a unique opportunity to hear the voice of an infamous historical figure in a new and accurate way.
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