Text-to-speech software may be used for applications like communication aids i.e. talking heads, in some announcement or warning systems which don’t require restricted vocabulary, reading machines for the blind or electronic-mail readers.
These systems are becoming more suitable for our daily use. For example, TTS systems becoming common and cheap may increase career opportunities for people with communication issues.
May be the most important and helpful application field for text-to-speech software is the reading and communication supports for the blind. Before synthesized speech, certain audio books were used where the whole book subject was read into audio tape. It is obvious that preparing such spoken copy of any large book takes a long time and is much cost. It is also easier to get computer data with speech instead of using a special symbols keyboard, which is the typical interface for reading the Braille characters.
Text-to-speech software is now used to read online pages or other forms of media with normal PCs. With modern PCs it is also possible to add new features into reading utilities. It is possible to realize software to read standard check forms or make an abstract of a newspaper article. However, it may be hard to find the right construction of the newspaper article if it is distributes over several pages or has an irregular structure.
Born-deaf people cannot speak properly and other people with hearing issues usually have speaking issues too. Synthesized speech enables the deaf and vocally handicapped to communicate with people who do not know sign language. With a talking head it is easy to improve the quality of the communication even more because image information is very useful in communicated with deaf individual.
Text-to-speech software can be utilized for particular tasks like spelling and pronunciation teaching for several languages. It can also be utilized with interactive educational applications.
A speech synthesizer joined with word processor is also a helpful support to proof reading. Most of the people feel it is easier to detect grammatical and stylistic errors during listening than reading. Typical misspellings that they eye may miss are also easier to detect.
E-mail has become very common during the last decade. However, it is sometimes hard to read E-mail messages in foreign languages. With synthetic speech, e-mail messages can be listened to via a common telephone line. Synthesized speech may also be used to read short text messages (SMS) in mobile phones.
Overall, text-to-speech software is applicable in all kinds of human-machine contacts. For example, in warning and alarm systems synthesized speech is applied to provide more precise information of the current conditions. Using speech rather than warning lights or buzzers gives a better opportunity to deliver the warning signal. Speech synthesizer may also be utilized to catch some desktop messages from a computer, such as printer status or received messages.
Recently communication aids have evolved from talking calculators to up-to-date three-dimensional audiovisual products. The application aspects for speech synthesis are growing all the time and thus attracting more funds for research and development areas. As such, the variety of applications for text-to-speech software will continue to grow.
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