Abstract: A method for synthesizing speech from a textual input includes receiving the textual input, the textual input including native words in a native language and foreign words in a foreign language, and processing the textual input to determine a phonetic representation of the textual input. The processing includes determining a native phonetic representation of the of the native words, and determining a nativized phonetic representation of the foreign words. Determining the nativized phonetic representation includes forming a foreign phonetic representation of the foreign words using a foreign phoneme set, and mapping the foreign phonetic representation to the nativized phonetic representation according to a model of a native speaker's pronunciation of foreign words.

Abstract: A system and method for out-of-vocabulary compound word handling is provided. Embodiments may include storing a plurality of compound word rules and compound word dictionaries in a database. Embodiments may also include evaluating membership criteria associated with a received compound word, wherein membership criteria includes at least one of dictionary based or part of speech (POS) based criteria. Embodiments may further include applying one or more filtering rules to the received compound word.

Abstract: A text-to-speech (TTS) system includes components capable of supporting the generation of speech output in any of multiple styles, and may switch seamlessly from producing speech output in one style to producing speech output in another style. For example, a concatenative TTS system may include a speech base storing speech units associated with multiple speech styles, and a linguistic analysis component to generate a phonetic transcription specifying speech output in any of multiple styles. Text input may include a style indication associated with a particular segment of the input text. The linguistic analysis component may invoke encoded rules and/or components based upon the style indication, and generate a phonetic transcription specifying a speech style, which may be processed to generate output speech.

Abstract: A text-to-speech (TTS) system includes components capable of supporting the generation of speech output in any of multiple styles, and may switch seamlessly from producing speech output in one style to producing speech output in another style. For example, a concatenative TTS system may include a speech base storing speech units associated with multiple speech styles, and a linguistic analysis component to generate a phonetic transcription specifying speech output in any of multiple styles. Text input may include a style indication associated with a particular segment of the input text. The linguistic analysis component may invoke encoded rules and/or components based upon the style indication, and generate a phonetic transcription specifying a speech style, which may be processed to generate output speech.

Abstract: A system and method for out-of-vocabulary compound word handling is provided. Embodiments may include storing a plurality of compound word rules and compound word dictionaries in a database. Embodiments may also include evaluating membership criteria associated with a received compound word, wherein membership criteria includes at least one of dictionary based or part of speech (POS) based criteria. Embodiments may further include applying one or more filtering rules to the received compound word.

Abstract: Techniques for providing speech output for speech-enabled applications. A synthesis system receives from a speech-enabled application a text input including a text transcription of a desired speech output. The synthesis system selects one or more audio recordings corresponding to one or more portions of the text input. In one aspect, the synthesis system selects from audio recordings provided by a developer of the speech-enabled application. In another aspect, the synthesis system selects an audio recording of a speaker speaking a plurality of words. The synthesis system forms a speech output including the one or more selected audio recordings and provides the speech output for the speech-enabled application.

Abstract: Techniques for providing speech output for speech-enabled applications. A synthesis system receives from a speech-enabled application a text input including a text transcription of a desired speech output. The synthesis system selects one or more audio recordings corresponding to one or more portions of the text input. In one aspect, the synthesis system selects from audio recordings provided by a developer of the speech-enabled application. In another aspect, the synthesis system selects an audio recording of a speaker speaking a plurality of words. The synthesis system forms a speech output including the one or more selected audio recordings and provides the speech output for the speech-enabled application.

Abstract: Techniques for providing speech output for speech-enabled applications. A synthesis system receives from a speech-enabled application a text input including a text transcription of a desired speech output. The synthesis system selects one or more audio recordings corresponding to one or more portions of the text input. In one aspect, the synthesis system selects from audio recordings provided by a developer of the speech-enabled application. In another aspect, the synthesis system selects an audio recording of a speaker speaking a plurality of words. The synthesis system forms a speech output including the one or more selected audio recordings and provides the speech output for the speech-enabled application.

Abstract: Techniques for providing speech output for speech-enabled applications. A synthesis system receives from a speech-enabled application a text input including a text transcription of a desired speech output. The synthesis system selects one or more audio recordings corresponding to one or more portions of the text input. In one aspect, the synthesis system selects from audio recordings provided by a developer of the speech-enabled application. In another aspect, the synthesis system selects an audio recording of a speaker speaking a plurality of words. The synthesis system forms a speech output including the one or more selected audio recordings and provides the speech output for the speech-enabled application.