For customers using OneNote Learning Tools, Learning Tools in Word, and Read Aloud in the Editor pane in Office and the Microsoft Edge browser, this article documents ways to download new languages for the Text-to-Speech feature in different versions of Windows.
If you have correctly installed the Microsoft Speech Platform. You should see a list of voices in the ElementsServer.log, like this: 12/01/24 - 14:05:43.741 0005 ElementsServer Voices: Microsoft Anna - English (United States) Microsoft Server Speech Text to Speech Voice (en-US, Helen) Microsoft Server Speech Text to Speech Voice (en-US, ZiraPro. Microsoft Sam is the default text-to-speech male voice in Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP. It is used by Narrator, the screen reader program built into the operating system. Microsoft Mike and Microsoft Mary are optional male and female voices respectively, available for download from the Microsoft website.
Install a new Text-to-Speech language in Windows 10
Within Windows 10 settings, you'll download the desired language and then set your speech language.
- Select the Start button, and then select Settings.
- With the Windows Settings in view, select Time & Language.
- Select Region & language, then select Add a language.
- Choose the language you want from the list. The language will begin to install.
- After the new language has been installed, select it in the Region & Language list, and then select Options.
- Under Language options select the desired downloads (Language pack, Handwriting, and keyboard).
- Now you'll need to change your default speech options. Begin by selecting Speech.
- From here, adjust your speech options:
- Speech language select the dropdown to choose your desired language.
- Recognize non-native accents for this language: check the box to activate this feature.
- Text-to-speech: change your default voice, the speed of the voice, and preview the voice.
- Finally, select Get started from the Microphone section to walk through the Cortana mic setup.
Install a new Text-to-Speech language in Windows 8.1
On any edition of Windows 8.1, do the following:
- Open Control Panel.
- Click Language.
- Click Add a Language.
- In the list that opens, click the language you want to add, and then click the Add button at the bottom of the list.
- Under the language you've added, click Download and install language pack.Windows will download and install the language pack. You may be prompted to restart your PC.
After restarting your PC, you'll have the new language available for Text-to-Speech and the Learning Tools Immersive Reader will recognize the text on the page and read it in the correct language.
Text-to-Speech languages and voices available in Windows
Language (Region) | Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 | Windows 8 | Name | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chinese (Hong Kong) | Y | N | Tracy | Female |
Chinese (Taiwan) | Y | Y | Hanhan | Female |
Chinese (People's Republic of China) | Y | Y | Huihui | Female |
English (United States) | Y | Y | Zira | Female |
English (United States) | Y | Y | David | Male |
English (Great Britain) | Y | Y | Hazel | Female |
French (France) | Y | Y | Hortense | Female |
German (Germany) | Y | Y | Hedda | Female |
Italian (Italy) | Y | N | Elsa | Female |
Japanese (Japan) | Y | Y | Haruka | Female |
Korean (Korea) | Y | Y | Heami | Female |
Polish (Poland) Text based games, a.k.a. Interactive fiction, have been one of the many genres of gaming for a long time. In fact, they're one of the first! Since the '70's there have been many great games the genre, such as Zork, Colossal Cave Adventure and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Even nowadays, people. Text based games online. | Y | N | Paulina | Female |
Portuguese (Brazil) | Y | N | Maria | Female |
Russian (Russia) | Y | N | Irina | Female |
Spanish (Mexico) | Y | N | Sabina | Female |
Spanish (Spain) | Y | Y | Helena | Female |
Third-party Text-to-Speech languages
Additional Text-to-Speech languages can be purchased from the following third-party providers:
Note: These options are provided for informational purposes only. Microsoft does not endorse any particular third-party software, nor can it offer any support for their installation and use. For help with these products, please contact their original manufacturer.
Open Source Text-to-Speech languages
Free Text-to-Speech languages are available for download from Open Source provider eSpeak. These languages work on Windows 7, but some may not yet work on Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10. View a list of available eSpeak languages and codes for more information.
Download eSpeak languages
- In your browser, visit http://espeak.sourceforge.net/download.html.
- Download the 'Compiled for Windows' version, titled setup_espeak-1.48.04.exe.
- When the download is finished, click Next at the first Setup screen to begin installation.
- Confirm the installation path, and then click Next.
- Enter the two-letter code(s) for the language(s) and flag(s) that you want to install. For example, if you wanted to add Text-to-Speech for English, Spanish, Polish, Swedish, and Czech, your screen would look like this:To use alternate voices for a language, you can select additional commands to change various voice and pronunciation attributes. For more information, see http://espeak.sourceforge.net/voices.html. Preset voice variants can be applied to any of the language voices by appending a plus sign (+) and a variant name. The variants for male voices are +m1, +m2, +m3, +m4, +m5, +m6, and +m7. The variants for female voices are +f1, +f2, +f3, +f4, and +f5. You can also choose optional voice effects such as +croak or +whisper.
- Click Next twice, and then click Install.
Active4 years, 3 months ago
I have installed the Microsoft Speech Platform runtime from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=27225 and some runtime languages from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=27224, but when I try to check the installed languages through an application only the default ones will appear.
I add the System.Speech reference and create a synthesizer then do this:
Microsoft Speech Platform Voices Download Free
Bookworm adventures free online. I have read that
Microsoft.Speech and System.Speech are different things, with the first one being focused on server applications and the latter on desktop applications. I am trying to develop a desktop application, hence using the
System.Speech reference, but the only languages I see available for download are Microsoft Speech languages. I have tried this on both Windows 7 and 8.1. I only need the TTS function, not SR.So long story short, how do I add another language to work with TTS on
TharifSystem.Speech? 11.3k8 gold badges46 silver badges64 bronze badges
user1676874user16768744472 gold badges15 silver badges41 bronze badges
1 Answer
Well, the speech platform has it's own registry keys for their voices. Check out my answer here how to change your registry keys
It's a hack for sure, but it'll get you the answer you want.
disclaimer - this would have been a comment instead of an answer had my reputation exceeded 50
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Free Microsoft Voices
Lesley GushurstLesley Gushurst
