# Features and Functions

DECtalk Software enables applications to extend the capabilities of your computer by turning text files into spoken words.

High-Quality Speech and Word Pronunciation Accuracy

DECtalk Software provides the latest version of DECtalk Software speech synthesis technology. With only a standard sound card for audio output, the programming resources provided by DECtalk Software allow applications to accurately read ASCII text from a variety of sources, such as electronic mail and word processors. Nine different voices are provided, and users can control voice pitch, rate of speech, and word or phrase emphasis. DECtalk Software has a large built-in dictionary that enables accurate pronunciation of individual words as well as enhancing their rhythmic naturalness.

Letter Mode, Word Mode, and Clause Mode

DECtalk Software can speak single characters immediately, without waiting for an entire clause to be buffered. DECtalk Software also provides normal clause buffering for natural speech. DECtalk Software can speak letters, words, phrases, clauses, paragraphs, and whole documents. DECtalk Software allows the application to terminate speech immediately instead of waiting for the buffered text to complete processing.

Short Command Strings

Many of the DECtalk Software in-line command strings can be abbreviated for greater ease of use in applications.

Pronunciation Heuristics

DECtalk Software includes pronunciation heuristics that recognize and parse unpronounceable sequences, such as sequences of uppercase initials (FBI, AAA, and so forth) and sequences with no vowels (CBS and NBC, for example).