Text-to-Speech
Text to speech software, as the name implies, enables a computer to translate typed text into spoken words. In general, any text which can be highlighted and copied from a document, web page or other digital source can be read aloud using one of these programs.
There are many free text-to-speech programs available for download, each with unique features and applications. Several of the most useful and user-friendly, in our opinion, are listed below.
WordTalk Natural Reader ReadPlease
Adobe Acrobat Reader Talking Calculator Balabolka
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WordTalk is an add-on toolbar for Microsoft Word (versions Word '97 and higher). This program adds one-click access to text-to-speech to any Word document. Users can choose to hear individual words, sentences, or paragraphs. Text is highlighted as it is read, making it easy to follow along. The speed and pitch of the voice is adjustable. Best of all, WordTalk adds speech to the spell-checking and thesaurus functions. When a word is misspelled and alternatives are suggested by Microsoft Word's spell-checker, WordTalk can read each word and even provide definitions, to help the user select the correct replacement for the original error. New in this version: convert any Word document to a .wav or .MP3, so that it can be listened to like any music recording, and even transfered to a portable .MP3 player for listening away from the computer.
best uses: for editing one's own work, when created in Microsoft Word; listening and responding to teacher-created notes, worksheets and tests done in Word
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Natural Reader works with most common applications, including web browsers, word processing, and email. In toolbar mode, the application remains visible on the screen and selected text is read aloud without having to copy and paste. This is especially valuable when the web page contains important visual material related to the text, like maps, charts, and photos. A pause button allows breaks for notetaking without losing one's place. In the full-screen mode, text can be copied and pasted into a window which adds highlighting of the text as it reads and easy adjustments to the voice.
best use: reading internet text without leaving the web page so that the words can be heard while still viewing the supporting visuals; completing online forms and quizzes
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ReadPlease is a stand-alone application that can also read any text typed or pasted into it. It offers sliders to adjust type size and the speed of the speech instantly. The text is highlighted as it is read, making it easy to follow along. The reading controls include a "pause" button, which stops and restarts the reading while remaining highlighted, which is especially useful for taking notes while reading and listening. It can run on all Windows operating systems ('95 and higher) and takes very little memory, making it useful even on older, slower systems. Several foreign language voices are also available for free download. With a foreign language voice, text written in that language (like online foreign language newspapers or foreign language class assignments) can be read aloud with correct pronunciation. [Note: to install only the free version, uncheck the "trial version" box.]
best uses: older systems; foreign language documents, quick access to larger type
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Adobe Acrobat Reader has a "read aloud" function built into it. To have a .pdf file (often used for forms, online user's manuals, and some textbooks) read aloud to you, from the "view" menu of Adobe Reader, choose "read out loud" and "activate read out loud", or use the shortcut keys
shift + control + Y. (If you can't see the menu, use the F9 key first.)
best use: online Adobe Acrobat forms and manuals which are protected from copying
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Talking Calculator adds speech feedback to the buttons and solution screen of an onscreen calculator. In a separate window, the equations and entries of the process remain visible and can be copied and pasted into a word processor in order to document the steps used to solve a problem.
best use: practical math problems, where listening helps to learn the steps of the process
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Balabolka uses text-to-speech technology to convert any text file into an audio file in either .wav or .MP3 format, for playback on the computer or personal listening device. Text from any source could be copied and pasted into a word processor and saved as a .txt file, then converted to audio using this software. To save as a text file, copy and paste into NotePad, the basic word processor that comes with Windows (Start...Programs...Accessories menus), then save as usual, since the default format of NotePad is .txt. Or, in Microsoft Word, use the "save as.." option of the File menu, then use the "save as type" drop down box to scroll down to .txt and select it. (Click OK to any messages about losing formatting.) Works with many foreign languages and documents, too.
best use: to listen to material away from the computer; to fit extra study time into activities like working out or commuting
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