Perhaps the most common challenge with converting text to speech is in the area of pronunciation. This often occurs when a transcript includes numbers, acronyms, or the proper names of people and places.
In this article you will learn:
Previewing Your Audio
The best way to identify any pronunciation issues with your text is by listening to the audio before finalizing your video. This way, you can catch possible pronunciation issues early on.
To do this, click the 'Listen' button on the bottom-right corner of any scene:
Add Breaks Using Punctuation Marks
Sometimes the pace of the narration can sound incorrect. To adjust issues with sentence rhythm, use the Add Pauses feature.
How to Change Pronunciation in Reals
Use our Pronunciation feature to change how words read in the transcript. Here are some simple tips to improve pronunciation issues within your narration:
Use only one language
Do not mix languages within a script. For example, avoid using French words in an English script.
Try a Different Voice
Sometimes, the various voices within Hour One can pronounce words differently. Try selecting a different voice to troubleshoot.
Stick to phonetic spelling
This is probably the best way to fix most pronunciation issues, especially after a bit of practice: Use the phonetic spelling for problem words in your text, instead of the proper spelling. For example, if the narration of the word resumé sounds a bit off, try replacing its spelling with rezomay or rezoomeh.
Abbreviations Phonetics - Letters
It is probably the best way to fix most pronunciation issues, especially after a bit of practice: Use the phonetic spelling for problem words in your text, instead of the proper spelling
Here's a phonetics chart to provide direction and inspiration for fixing your audio:
Sometimes the narration of acronyms and abbreviations can challenge the audio pronunciation. To remedy acronyms, use quotes around the word with dashes in between. For abbreviations, spell out the word completely.
For example:
- DIY → "D-I-Y"
- LOL → "L-O-L"
- UPS → "U-P-S"
- Blvd. → Boulevard
Numbers and Symbols
If needed, try spelling numbers with full words.
For example:
- 179 → one seventy-nine or one hundred seventy-nine
- 8:00 p.m. → 8 p m or 8 o’clock p m
- 45 Dunston Street → forty-five Dunston Street
- elle@woodslawoffice.com → elle at woods law office dot com
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