Text to Speech Ready Formatter

Step 1: Identify Problematic Elements

Scan your text for elements that commonly cause TTS issues:

• Abbreviations (Mr., Dr., St., Ave., etc.)
• Numbers in various formats (123, 1st, 50%, $10.99)
• Special characters (&, @, #, %, etc.)
• URLs and email addresses
• Technical terms and acronyms
• Foreign words or phrases

Step 2: Apply Expansion Rules

Use consistent expansion rules for common abbreviations:

Step 3: Normalize Numbers

Convert numbers to written form based on context:

Step 4: Handle Special Cases

Address context-specific formatting needs:

• Phone numbers: Split digits for clarity (555-1234 → five five five, one two three four)
• Dates: Use full format (12/25/2023 → December twenty-fifth, two thousand twenty-three)
• Times: Spell out clearly (3:30 PM → three thirty PM)
• URLs: Use phonetic spelling (www.site.com → www dot site dot com)

Pronunciation Guides

For difficult or ambiguous words, consider adding pronunciation hints:

Pause and Pacing Control

Use punctuation strategically to control speech pacing:

Emphasis and Intonation

While most TTS engines handle basic emphasis, you can help by:

Why doesn't my TTS engine pronounce abbreviations correctly?

TTS engines use pattern recognition and contextual analysis to determine pronunciation. Abbreviations are particularly challenging because they can have multiple meanings (Dr. could be Doctor or Drive) or may not be in the engine's database. Expanding abbreviations to their full form eliminates this ambiguity.

Should I format numbers differently for different languages?

Yes, number formatting conventions vary by language and region. For example, in English, "1,234.56" represents one thousand two hundred thirty-four and fifty-six hundredths, but in many European languages, this would be written as "1.234,56". Always consider your target language and TTS engine when formatting numbers.

How do I handle technical terms and jargon?

For technical terms, you have several options: 1) Replace with simpler alternatives when possible, 2) Add phonetic spellings in parentheses, 3) Use the full expanded form, or 4) Create a glossary for frequently used terms. The best approach depends on your audience and the TTS engine's capabilities.

Can I use SSML tags instead of text formatting?

SSML (Speech Synthesis Markup Language) is an excellent option if your TTS engine supports it. SSML provides precise control over pronunciation, emphasis, pauses, and other speech characteristics. However, not all TTS engines support SSML, so plain text formatting remains the most universally compatible approach.

How do I maintain readability while optimizing for TTS?

Balancing TTS optimization with human readability can be challenging. Consider maintaining two versions: one optimized for reading and another for TTS. Alternatively, use subtle formatting that improves TTS without significantly impacting readability, such as expanding only the most problematic abbreviations.

What about proper names and foreign words?

Proper names and foreign words are among the most challenging elements for TTS engines. For proper names, consider adding phonetic spellings in parentheses on first mention. For foreign words, either provide pronunciation guides or replace with translated equivalents when appropriate for your audience.