# 5.3 Language Leads and spot checking

[Spot checking](#user-content-fn-1)[^1] is another quality control step. You can use it to make sure that broader problems are not missed, and to correct common mistakes. There are various ways of doing spot checking. The most important thing is that the person doing it is qualified to make decisions on the quality of the recording. They should be an expert in the language you are recording.&#x20;

In the [TWB Voice ](#user-content-fn-2)[^2]project, we used experienced contributors and experts for this role. We called them [Language Leads](#user-content-fn-3)[^3] (LLs). They helped us to ensure good quality and to work well with the community. The LLs took on the following tasks:&#x20;

* Doing spot checks, by checking selected recordings and validations at regular intervals. These were picked at random. Their aim was to ensure consistency.&#x20;
* Giving feedback and help to contributors, and answering questions. Keeping the community involved.&#x20;
* Helping to solve problems when contributors had issues.
* For the TWB Voice project, the LLs had a key role. They created prompts and helped to get people in the community involved as voice contributors.&#x20;

These are just some of the possible tasks of an LL. It’s good to use someone from the community who understands the process and can speak the languages. They can manage community involvement and make sure the data sets are of a good quality. They can find issues early and step in to help if there are any challenges.&#x20;

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[^1]: **Spot checking:** Random checking of recordings/ratings to make sure they are consistent.

[^2]: **TWB Voice:** A platform for collecting voice data. It was developed by CLEAR Global, who also own it. Users can make voice recordings to help with active data collection projects in TWB Voice by [signing up to the TWB Community](https://translatorswithoutborders.org/join-the-twb-community/). The main goal of TWB Voice is to help to develop voice technology for speakers of marginalized languages. For example, by creating the voice datasets that are needed to build language models for TTS and ASR.

[^3]: **Language Leads (LLs):** Language experts with lots of experience. They can do spot checks to ensure quality and can give feedback.
