# Word pronouncing program

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-pronouncing-program/194963>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 13, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-pronouncing-program/194963 "2003-08-13T18:06:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Opus1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/858c86/32.png) [@Opus1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opus1)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-pronouncing-program/194963/1 "2003-08-13T18:06:43Z")

</div>

I’m looking for a freeware program that will pronounce words given to it in a text file. A **long** time ago I had Dr. Sbaitso for the soundblaster which could do this, so I know such programs exist. Ideally, I’d also like to be able to record the pronunciations to a wav file.

I’m not doing a book on tape or anything, so tone, pitch, emphasis, and even perfect pronunciation aren’t vital. Thanks in advance.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-pronouncing-program/194963/2 "2003-08-13T18:36:25Z")

</div>

I bought Lernaut & hausppie’s Spech recognition software and it was no good but It came with L&H Madison and it works pretty well in several languages. L&H disappeared so it may be abandonware now

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Stan\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@Stan\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Doubt)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-pronouncing-program/194963/3 "2003-08-14T02:11:41Z")

</div>

I’m not familiar with the ones cited, so this low-tech web fun tool may be totally inappropriate-YMMV

Search for talkany.exe, available all over the web.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Eegba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Eegba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eegba)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-pronouncing-program/194963/4 "2003-08-14T04:14:22Z")

</div>

ScanSoft bought the [Dragon](http://www.scansoft.com/naturallyspeaking/) speech transcription software from the remains of Lernout and Hauspie, so it’s still available.

However, the OP was looking for a text-to-speech system, rather than a speech-to-text system. A quick [Googling](http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=text+to+speech+freeware) turned up a bunch. The first link looks like it may be [just what you need](http://www.tucows.com/preview/322007.html).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-pronouncing-program/194963/5 "2003-08-14T04:46:24Z")

</div>

If you have Windows XP, it comes with built in text to Speech software.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![maleinblack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e5b9ba/32.png) [@maleinblack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maleinblack)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-pronouncing-program/194963/6 "2003-08-14T04:47:19Z")

</div>

I have the talkany.exe program that **Stan Doubt** suggested.I doubt that it will be suited for all your needs like recording, which might be possible but a bit tricky.But since its a freeware you can always download it and try.If you dont like it,discard it.  
If you cant find the software anywhere just mail me and I will mail it accross to you.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/word-pronouncing-program/194963/7 "2003-08-14T10:47:19Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Eegba \*  
> ScanSoft bought the [Dragon](http://www.scansoft.com/naturallyspeaking/) speech transcription software from the remains of Lernout and Hauspie, so it’s still available.
> 
> However, the OP was looking for a text-to-speech system, rather than a speech-to-text system.

L&H Madison **is** text to speech software and it works pretty well.