1. Macaberz

    Macaberz Pay it forward Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2012
    Messages:
    3,143
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    Arnhem, The Netherlands

    Using Text-to-speech

    Discussion in 'Writing Software and Hardware' started by Macaberz, Oct 15, 2013.

    I've been using TTS (Text-to-speech) software recently to have the computer read back my material to me. I find it works quite well to catch errors and to hear if the flow of the writing is sound or not. Reading out loud to myself helps as well, but somehow I feel TTS is a bit better because it's completely agnostic to how your text should be read.

    Anyone else ever used text-to-speech software to proof "hear" their writing? If so, which software did you use?
     
  2. JayG

    JayG Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2013
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    360
    Location:
    Philadelphia PA
    I use a variety of tricks in editing.

    After I have it as well edited as I can, I change the margins and print out a double spaced copy, for two reasons:

    • By changing the position of the words on the page I'm forced to read what's actually there instead of what I expect to see.

    • I can't explain why, I read differently on the printed page from the screen. Things that I can't see on screen seem to jump out at me on the page.

    When I'm pretty satisfied, I use text to speech. It helps in several ways:

    • Aloud, it reads more slowly, and that gives me time to think about a given line, and how it fits the narrative, more easily. In effect, I'm editing line by line again.

    • It helps show the spots where reader doesn't "pronounce it trippingly on the tongue."
     
    Macaberz likes this.
  3. Edward M. Grant

    Edward M. Grant Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2012
    Messages:
    711
    Likes Received:
    348
    Location:
    Canada
    I do it all the time. I just upload the e-book version of the story onto my Kindle and listen to it read the text to me.

    It can also be amusing when you're using words the Kindle doesn't understand.
     
  4. Fearless_leader

    Fearless_leader New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2013
    Messages:
    25
    Likes Received:
    2
    never thought of using that before, good idea.
     
  5. Gilborn

    Gilborn Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2011
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    I use natural reader. If you can live with the windows voices it's free to use. I find Hanzel's voice agreeable. However, I use this more for having books read to me since you can increase the speed. This allows me to do other things such as post here while it's going on.
     
  6. Tesoro

    Tesoro Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    Messages:
    2,818
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    A place with no future
    It sounds like a good idea. I wish there were some valid alternatives in my language too, but I think they are originally in english so the pronounce, I've heard people say, isn't the best. But one day I might give them a try. Until then I guess I'll have to stick to my own voice reading aloud...
     
  7. S.Chou

    S.Chou New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2013
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    London
    I've tried this before and found it to be pretty useless really. Hearing everything read by a monotonous robot with bad pacing and who says half the words wrong... I just don't find it to help me with anything.
     
  8. Gilborn

    Gilborn Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2011
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    The computer voices have come a long way. While they may mispronounce made-up words, they work well for everything else.
     
  9. S.Chou

    S.Chou New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2013
    Messages:
    19
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    London
    Any specific ones you can recommend for me to try?
     
  10. Gilborn

    Gilborn Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2011
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Natural Reader
     
  11. Flocka

    Flocka New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2013
    Messages:
    15
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    U.S
    Hey! I have used this to proofread my stories as well. I like to see it in another perspective in a way. On Mac's the text to speech comes standard and the voice they use is not that bad at all.
     
  12. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    Text to speech is also standard onWindows. It's one of the accessibility features/
     
  13. Tesoro

    Tesoro Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    Messages:
    2,818
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    A place with no future
    where do one find that? I didn't know it was standard... if it is I just have to give it a try!
     
  14. Gilborn

    Gilborn Member

    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2011
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Which version of Windows are you running?
     
  15. Tesoro

    Tesoro Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Jan 3, 2011
    Messages:
    2,818
    Likes Received:
    300
    Location:
    A place with no future
    7.

    edit: I found the settings. Now I only have to figure out how to USE it!
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2013

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice