What Is a Pronunciation Dictionary (Lexicon) in Text to Speech?
A pronunciation dictionary, also called a lexicon, is a list of words with instructions for how a text-to-speech voice should say each one. It fixes names, acronyms, brand terms and unusual words the voice would otherwise get wrong.
Two ways to specify a pronunciation
- Phonetic: write the sounds using a phonetic alphabet such as IPA. It is precise, but it takes some knowledge, and voices and languages differ in which symbols they accept.
- Respelling or alias: replace the word with a spelling that sounds right, for example writing a name the way you would say it aloud. This is easier and works in any tool.
A standard exists
The W3C Pronunciation Lexicon Specification (PLS) is a standard file format for pronunciation dictionaries used with speech systems. Not every tool supports it, and many offer their own simpler interface instead.
Tips for fixing a word
- Find the exact word or phrase that is wrong.
- Write it the way it should sound, using ordinary letters.
- Play just that sentence and listen.
- Keep the rule so it applies everywhere the word appears.
Acronyms can be spelled with spaces or hyphens between letters when each letter should be said.
Pronunciation rules in GetMeAudio
The Pronunciation panel lets you add a rule once, mapping a written word to how it should sound, and it applies across your script. There is also a free pronunciation checker that plays the original and the fixed version with a device voice, with no sign-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a phoneme?
A phoneme is a basic unit of sound in a language. Phonetic alphabets such as IPA use symbols to represent them.
Why does the voice mispronounce my name?
Voices predict pronunciation from spelling patterns, and names, brands and borrowed words often break those patterns. A pronunciation rule fixes it.
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