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Text-to-speech (TTS) software can read text and generate synthesized speech through a computer’s speakers. It has various applications, including proofreading, converting text to MP3, and language learning. TTS is also beneficial for people with disabilities and can be customized with different voices and accents. The quality of TTS programs varies, and it is essential to listen to samples before purchasing.
TTS, or speech synthesis, is the digitized audio rendering of computer text to speech. TTS software can “read” text from a document, web page or e-book, generating synthesized speech through a computer’s speakers.
TTS programs can be useful for a variety of applications. For example, proofreading with TTS allows the author to catch awkward sentences, missing words, or pacing issues. TTS can also convert text files into MP3 audio files which can then be transferred to a portable MP3 player or CD-ROM. This saves time by allowing the user to listen to reports or background materials in bed, en route to a meeting, or while performing other tasks.
Even the best screenwriting software includes TTS functionality so that a writer can assign different voices to characters in his script. The writer can then listen to the dialogue to eliminate stilted sentences. There are also personal uses for TTS. Are you behind in reading your favorite emails or blogs? Listen to TTS files while you exercise, jog, clean the house or take the dog for a walk.
In the education sector, TTS programs provide an invaluable benefit, particularly for learning new languages. Speech engines are available in a variety of languages, including English, Spanish, German, French, and dozens more.
TTS makes a critical difference for people with disabilities such as low vision or visual dyslexia. People with speech loss can use specialized TTS programs to turn typed words into vocalizations, as famed astrophysicist Dr. Steven Hawking does. Suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Hawking maintains the use of only two fingers which he uses with a proprietary interface. In March 2004, NeoSpeech’s VoiceText became Hawking’s new TTS voice.
Software programs vary in quality, as do speech engines. Artificial voices can sound very robotic or quite natural. Microsoft’s Windows XP includes a basic built-in TTS engine that can be updated with free online downloads.
Third-party TTS programs can allow for great flexibility and, in many cases, greatly improved voice quality. Most of these affordable programs come with a variety of voices to choose from, both male and female. Some offer voices with accents. For specialist vocabulary fields such as medical terminology, a medical TTS program is required.
TTS vocalization has come a long way and will continue to improve. The art of designing software that can provide context-dependent pronunciation and inflection is a very complicated and code-intensive task. Before purchasing a TTS program, listen to samples of the digitized voices. Unnatural sounding voices distract from the content and may not be suitable for some purposes. Search engines will reveal a multitude of programs to choose from.
