[ltsb, 1607] Adding text-to-speech languages (or screen-readers with foreign language support)

[Garacesh]

Some of our pupils are allowed to use a computer reader for their GCSE's, and this includes Languages, where we assume the papers (and thus the electronic copies) are going to be written in not-English.

 

Our Exams Officer has found a piece of software (Orato) that reads out highlighted text using Windows' built-in Text-to-Speech engine. In LTSB 1607, this gives us the choice of Hazel and Zira.

The problem is that TTS voices appear to be 'languaged', which makes sense from a space-saving perspective. Zira and Hazel appear to only know how to speak English and (barring a few Spanish words like 'Que') proceed to completely butcher foreign languages in the charming way only us Brits know how.

 

I've been flexing my Google-fu but I've not found anything that appears to work, or be reliable.

I've downloaded the every-language-pack-possible iso from VLSC and applied Spanish to my machine (via lpksetup.exe) and whilst Español (España) is listed under Settings/Time & Language/Region & Language, and it does say "Language pack installed", both Settings/Time & Language/Speech and Control Panel/Speech Recognition/Text to Speech still only show English voices.

 

So now I'm a bit stumped.

I have no idea how to make Windows speak Spanish (also French), so I need to do that, or, find a reliable piece of TTS software that can do multiple languages, preferably without opening our wallets or providing a spellchecking function.

[Arthur]

I've downloaded the every-language-pack-possible iso from VLSC and applied Spanish to my machine (via lpksetup.exe) and whilst Español (España) is listed under Settings/Time & Language/Region & Language, and it does say "Language pack installed", both Settings/Time & Language/Speech and Control Panel/Speech Recognition/Text to Speech still only show English voices.

Is Spanish TTS and speech recognition listed under "Manage optional features" (similar to English (GB) below)? If not, you will need to add them.

 

[abaxter2]

Maybe natural reader: https://www.naturalreaders.com/

 

The desktop version needs to be a paid version to add other languages, but the web version (free) does allow you to chose another language: https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/

Edited November 8, 2018 by abaxter2

[Garacesh]

"Manage optional features"

No idea. How do I find "Manage optional features"?

 

If I click on English (United Kingdom) and then Options^[1], it brings up another screen that has a Speech heading with a Settings link underneath^[2], but if I do the same for the Spanish option I don't get that^[3].

Clicking on the 'Settings' just takes me to Settings/Time & Language/Speech, where there is no options for any other language but English and no voices but the 3(?) English ones.^[4] (No idea where George comes from)

 

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Maybe natural reader: https://www.naturalreaders.com/

 

The desktop version need to a paid version to do other languages but the web version (free) does allow you to chose another language: https://www.naturalreaders.com/online/

Web version would be no good, GCSE exam laptops have all their networking capabilities disabled.

Edited November 8, 2018 by Garacesh

[Arthur]

No idea. How do I find "Manage optional features"?

Settings app > Apps > Apps & Features > Manage optional features (or just search for "Optional". That's what I did ).

[Garacesh]

Settings app > Apps > Apps & Features > Manage optional features (or just search for "Optional". That's what I did ).

 

RIP

 

[Arthur]

RIP

If you download the Features on Demand ISOs from VLSC you could add the additional Spanish features with DISM or PowerShell.

 

[Garacesh]

DISM-ing it into the image appears to have worked.. I haven't done any extensive testing but the languages are showing up in the Text-to-Speech settings now.

Shame I can't retroactively apply it to machines, but it gives me an excuse to build a 'proper' exam image, so I'm OK with that.

 

Thanks @Arthur!

[Garacesh]

The plot thickens....

 

Selecting Microsoft Helana Desktop - Spanish (Spain), Microsoft Hortense Desktop - French, or Microsoft Paulina Desktop - Polish produces the error:

[b]Speech Properties[/b]
This voice cannot be played. Please try selecting another voice or selecting a different audio output device.

 

However both the audio, and the default languages (Microsoft Hazel Desktop - English (Great Britain) and Microsoft Zira Desktop - English (United States)) work fine.

 

I've found people online discussing copying registry keys from SYSWOW64 to the 32-bit directories (the keys already exist in both) and installing Microsoft Speech Platform - Runtime (Version 11) (done both x86 and x64, neither has helped)