Computer speech synthesis

[walkerf]

Speech synthesis is the artificial production of human speech. A computer system used for this purpose is called a speech synthesizer, and can be implemented in software or hardware. A text-to-speech (TTS) system converts normal language text into speech.

Most of the text-to-speech softwares can read text files in format of .txt and other file formats with natural voices using various voice engines. The text-to-speech voice engine on Vista is Microsoft Anna, and Microsoft Sam on the Windows XP. Vista users can hear a very clear voice of Anna, XP users would think the voice of Microsoft Sam is poor, but they can get other company's vocie engines which are more clear.


The narrator has been shipped with Windows XP and Vista. However some users choose panopreter which is a freeware. It is an easy-to-use tool which reads files, words you type and converts files into wave and mp3 audio files, so you can listen to them with a MP3 player. It's a effective way to improve listening, somehow they are educational softwares for language learning.

[questio verum]

Not sure how pertinant MS-centric speech synthesis is going to be on a linux forum, but speech synthesis in a generic sense is something that interests me. I know that most text-to-speech developers are working toward a more natural-sounding speech delivery. That's cool, and of course it makes good sense. But I still dig the speech delivery on some of the older systems, like Stephen Hawking's for instance. Not for practical application, but for it's novelty value. It's so cool, in a geeky sort of way. But his is a proprietary system that's not even available any longer. Fictional nerdcore rapper MC Hawking uses Willowtalk, which sounds similar, but it's a windows app. The linux text-to-speech apps I've played with so far lack that old-school charm. I'm sure there's got to be one out there though.


edit: On the topic of Sir Hawking, I am distressed to report that he has been admitted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, and is reported as "very ill", apparently with a pulmonary-related illness. I wish him all the best, and hope he recovers swiftly from this.

qv

[walkerf]

I wish Sir Hawking will recover soon, and wish him all the best too.

[Rubberman]

According to the news I saw late last night, he is resting comfortably and is no longer in any danger. I too wish him well. He has always been an inspiration to me.

[elija]

I wish Sir Hawking will recover soon, and wish him all the best too.

Absolutely.

I'm not prone to hero worship but that man is one of the two who comes close. I recently added Neil DeGrasse Tyson to that very short list