tekstikõne

Tekstikõne, also known as text-to-speech (TTS), is a technology that converts written text into spoken audio. It allows users to hear digital text read aloud. This technology is widely used in various applications, from assistive technologies for people with visual impairments or reading difficulties to entertainment and information systems.

The process of tekstikõne typically involves two main stages: text analysis and speech synthesis. In the text analysis phase, the input text is processed to identify its phonetic structure, pronunciation rules, and intonation patterns. This often involves breaking down words into phonemes, which are the basic units of sound in a language. Punctuation and sentence structure are also analyzed to guide the natural rhythm and flow of the synthesized speech.

The speech synthesis stage then uses this phonetic information to generate audio. Early TTS systems relied on concatenative synthesis, which stitches together pre-recorded speech segments. More advanced systems often use parametric synthesis, which generates speech based on statistical models, or neural network-based synthesis, which can produce highly natural-sounding and expressive speech.

Tekstikõne systems are available in many languages and can be integrated into various devices and software, including smartphones, computers, and smart speakers. The quality and naturalness of synthesized speech have significantly improved over the years, making tekstikõne an increasingly valuable tool for accessibility, education, and communication.