Are you learning a language and struggling with accents? Listen to realistic native spokespeople with these tools!
Language exhibits a ‘Critical Period’. The critical period hypothesis (CPH) states that the first years of life (between the ages of 5 and puberty) are when language develops most easily. After that, language acquisition becomes significantly challenging and ultimately less successful.
Thus, it makes sense that learning a language as a grown-up takes its time. Especially when it comes to rocking the accent! But don’t worry! There’s a way to hear natural voices to catch up with phonetic pronunciations.
Text to speech (TTS) is the perfect assistive technology to help you achieve your speaking goals. This tool can take any word and convert it into audio. And you can select any language in the range of options that the interface offers. It’s a functional instrument for language learning.
With the advances in this technology, text to speech sounds have improved considerably. Plus, they are easy to find online. Next, we will tell you the best human-sounding softwares:
1. Woord
With artificial intelligence behind the process, Woord does a great job generating human-like voices. No matter what language (e.g. Swedish, Italian or Hindi) or dialect (e.g. Brazilian Portuguese and Canadian French) you are trying to take up, there is a good chance you find here. This software represents over 20 languages.
Moreover, Woord includes an SSML editor to customise the result. Feel free to control variables, such as gender, pace and pitch. Simply sign up for an account to receive two free audios and 20,000 characters each month.
2. Azure Microsoft
Azure Microsoft is a speech service that turns text into realistic voices. The program allows users to choose from 270 neural spokespeople in 119 languages and variations. The concept is you select the speaking style and emotional tone that suits your needs.
Additionally, Azure Microsoft counts with fine-grained audio controls to manage the rate, pitch, pronunciation, pauses, and other parameters to your liking. Its free plan may have limitations. However, it permits the conversion of 0.5 million characters and 5 hours of audio per month.
3. Free TTS
Share and transform your files with Free TTS. This free online service has around 25 languages with one to four voices each. These are of exceptional quality, thanks to Google machine learning.
In general, the interface is simple to use and does not require registration. Free TTS can turn up to 5,000 characters into audio. Its free plan lets you use 6,000 characters every week.
Do you or will you employ any of these TTS tools for your new language acquisitions? Write about it in the comments!