How to Make a Phone Call Using Text to Speech Software

Text-to-speech software can substitute for your voice.

If you cannot speak directly over the phone, you can do so indirectly by conveying synthesized speech with no other machines but your computer and phone. An array of software is now available to convert text to speech. You have at least two basic software alternatives for making a phone call that originates in text on your end of the line: a downloaded text-to-speech software; or the text-to-speech engine that is part of the Windows or Mac operating system.

Things You'll Need

• Text-to-speech software
• Telephone or voice-over-Internet software

Instructions

1. Download a text to speech (TTS) software program from websites like filetransit or NaturalSoft (see Resources below), and follow the setup and operation instructions.

2. Use, alternatively, the TTS engine installed in the Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X operating systems. Click in the Windows OS into the "Control Panel" from the "Start" button, then switch to "Classic View" and then to "Category View." Double-click on the "Speech" option to open a panel labeled "Speech Properties" with a tab labeled "Text To Speech."

3. Type the text you wish to convert to speech in the field labeled "Use the following text to preview the voice" under the "Text to Speech" tab. (There is already text in that field by default; just replace it.) Click the button just below this field and to the right labeled "Preview Voice." You will now hear the computer's voice utter the text you typed. Type in new text and click "Preview Voice" each time you want to say something else.

4. Access the TTS function in the "Speech" option under the Apple icon in "System Preferences" if you are using Mac OS X. Choose the "Text to Speech" tab and click on "Speak selected text when the key is pressed." Use Set Key to choose a key combination that will instruct Mac to read aloud any text that you have selected. Click the same key combination to halt the read-back.

5. Place the transmitter end of your phone or the microphone of your headset close enough to the computer's speaker for the software voice to be clearly audible to the person you are calling, unless sound from the computer is being directly piped into your cell phone or headset. Call a friend or family member to make sure that speaker volume, voice speed and other settings are adequate.

References

• Microsoft: How to Configure and Use Text-to-Speech in Windows XP and in Windows Vista
• For Dummies: How to Modify Windows 7's Text to Speech Settings
• Apple: Make Your Mac Speak

Resources

• filetransit: Verbose Text to Speech Software 1.00 Freeware
• NaturalSoft: Natural Reader 9.0 Free Version