How to Change Speech Into Text for Macintosh

Speech turns to text.

Turning speech into text can be a useful tool for computer users. "Text-to-speech" technology, as it is sometimes called, allows you to speak into a microphone and have your words turned into text. Whether you have a disability such as carpel tunnel or simply don't like typing, speech-to-text software can help you stay productive. Unfortunately, Mac computers do not come ready to do this kind of work, so you must buy third-party software in order use this technology.

Things You'll Need

• MacSpeech Software
• Internet connection
• Mac OS X 10.5 or greater

Instructions

How to Turn Speech to Text on a Mac

1. Go to MacSpeech's website. As of 2010, ATmac, an online news publication that reports on Mac disability issues, states that MacSpeech is the only software for the Mac OS X operating system that is currently being updated and developed.

2. Buy a software package. Software costs between $200 to $700 as of 2010, depending on the features. For example, some focus on professional dictation while others support foreign languages such as German, French and Italian. Each software package comes with a microphone that will allow you to speak into your computer.

3. Install the application by inserting the CD and copying its contents into your application folder.

4. Double-click the "MacSpeech" icon from within your Applications folder. Your computer will then begin loading the language information. This may take a few minutes.

5. Access the software's tutorials in order to get yourself familiar with the program. You can also consult the software manual that comes with the program.

6. Hook up the microphone that came with your software.

Tips & Warnings

• MacSpeech comes with phrase training technology to allow the software to better understand your voice. Give the software a little time to improve as it gets to know your speech pattern.

References

• ATmac: Text-to-Speech

Resources

• MacSpeech