Writing is a common activity in university environments. A large part of the knowledge that we produce in them is captured and conveyed through texts that are read and produced in an inextricable network of relationships between them, both in monological and dialogic formats. We speak of academic discourse to refer in a very general way to these uses. The discourse, also the academic one, is not simply the vehicle through which knowledge travels; but also an instrument for the knowledge and the relationships it establishes with the human activities. For this reason, those of us who dedicate ourselves to this field, usually spend hours in front of the screen and with the texts. The truth is that many times this becomes tedious, so here we will share a little trick to Facilitate Your Academic Writing Process With A Text Reader.
Academic discourse adopts specific forms, appropriate and that adapt to the situations in which it is generated; these different forms are discourse genres. However, a careful reading of its use shows the conceptual diversity it hides. On the other hand, it is increasingly common to relate this concept to that of the activity system; which makes it possible to address the discourse in university settings from a dynamic point of view. This enriches the very concept of gender, but makes its definition more complex. Therefore, it is important that we can stay active, too, with technologies, and take advantage of the tools that we have available, such as Text-To-Speech software.
What Exactly Are Text Readers?
Text reader technology is part of a type of system known as speech synthesis. The synthesis of speech or voice achieves oral communication between humans and machines, which is the process of creating a synthetic replica of a signal vocal so that a machine can transmit information to a person.
Speech synthesizers are devices capable of producing an artificial replica of a human voice signal. These technologies have now evolved enough to be indistinguishable from a natural human voice. The fundamental objective is to make it possible for the systems that have to provide people with information of a certain complexity, they can do it orally. This wide definition is encompassed many of the coders of voice; in which, based on certain parameters obtained from a human voice signal, it regenerates – it synthesizes a replica of said signal
A text-to-speech conversion system is one that is capable of transforming a written message, usually a text file, into a voice signal. Basically, the system requires records of oral signals related to basic units (eg phonemes); which must be concatenated following the input text. In order for the system to perform a quality conversion, with the maximum intelligibility and naturalness possible, it is necessary to modify the basic units; so that they reflect a natural intonation appropriate to the synthetic message; and smooth the transitions between units so that no discontinuities between them remain. Both in the definition of elementary sounds, in the analysis of the influence of some sounds on adjacent sounds, and in the definition of prosodic patterns, the studies carried out by phoneticians and linguists play a fundamental role.
Make Simpler Your Academic Writing Process With A Text Reader
Enough of all this nerdy information. How can we take advantage of this tool for our writing process? Well, the truth is that they are generally very simple software to use, and quite versatile, so don’t limit yourself to what we tell you here. I know that many of us who do not work in disciplines related to technology sometimes have a hard time daring to use the new software or technologies available; but it is worth losing your fear and sticking your nose out of the books beyond our pdf readers.
Using a Text-To-Speech software, we have a double possibility for simplifying the Academic Writing Process With A Text Reader:
- On the one hand, it allows us to convert the texts that we need to read, whether for the theoretical framework or the state of the art, into audio files. In this way, you can take the opportunity to multitask and advance with the reading while we do other tasks or travel on public transport; or simply if we want to rest our eyes a little from so much reading.
- On the other hand, we can convert our own text into audio and listen to how it sounds. When we spend a long time reading and rereading the same text, we not only exhaust ourselves mentally, but also many times we lose the ability to record small errors. By listening to them, we can take a certain distance from the written text.
Check Woord, It Is Super Easy To Use For Academic Writing Process With A Text Reader
Woord is a text-to-speech SaaS with realistic voices. It is free and downloadable on computers and smartphones, also online. Woord‘s AI allows you to produce realistic voices in more than 20 languages. This software automatically optimizes the MP3 audio file it converts for the specific device you choose. In addition, it has different dialects in different languages and a variety of genders. Currently, Woord is being updated with a new feature: children’s voices; I really wouldn’t choose this feature for my academic process, but who am I to judge? The free version offers high-quality voices, an extension for Google Chrome, and a free download of audio in MP3 format. Likewise, the Pro versions of this Saas have an SSML editor; Woord‘s Premium versions allow you to modify the text to add pauses, sounds, and tones.
To use this tool, you just have to follow these 3 simple steps:
- First, you have to go to https://www.getwoord.com/, where the text you want can be shared or uploaded. You may also use the SSML editor to write it there yourself.
- Choose your favorite voice, selecting gender, and accents. Here you will also be able to edit other settings, like the speed or pauses, for example.
- Finally, allow the platform to create your audio by clicking ‘Speak it.’ Play it once it’s finished. You may download it as an MP3 file if you’re satisfied with it, or keep editing it if not.
If You Want To Know More About Woord, Check These Articles…
How To Use Woord’s SSML Editor
How To Adjust Your Audios With SSML Editor
Also published on Medium.