KB: Changing how ViaVoice pronounces words

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KB#: 143
Last updated: March 01 2006

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The information in this article applies to:

• ViaVoice speech synthesizers
• ZoomText versions 9.xx and 8.xx

PROBLEM

Occasionally, the ViaVoice speech synthesizer will incorrectly pronounce a word. Most often, this problem occurs with words that have unusual spellings – such as proper names, acronyms, and abbreviations.

SOLUTION

With ViaVoice, you can modify how words are pronounced as follows:

1. From the ZoomText menu bar, select Reader > Synthesizer...

   The Speech dialog will open to the Synthesizer tab.

2. In the Synthesizer combo box, select ViaVoice.
3. If you are running ZoomText 9.0, click the Options... button.
   If you are running ZoomText 8 or earlier, click the Pronunciation... button.

The Dictionaries dialog opens.

4. Click the Add... button.

   The Dictionary Entry dialog opens.

5. In the Key field, type in the word, acronym or abbreviation that you would like to add. For example: “Mr.” (without the quotes).
6. In the Translation field, type in phonetically how the word should sound. For this example, type “mister” (without the quotes).
7. To test the pronunciation, click the Speak button to the right of the Translation field.
8. If you are satisfied with the new pronunciation, click the OK button.
9. Click the Close button.
10. Click the OK button to close the Speech dialog box.