MultilingualSpeechSynthesis
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Launchpad entry: https://features.launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/multilingual-speech
Packages affected:
Summary
Improve speech synthesis support in multiple languages by providing a greater variety of synthesis engines (eSpeak and MBROLA) and access to more languages on the Live CD.
Rationale
We aim to provide native language support to our users where we can.
Use cases
Marie is a French visually impaired person (VIP) relying on voice synthesizer. She uses either Speakup or Orca. She naturally wishes that her documents, the system messages could be said in French.
Lao is a Chinese blind person. There is currently no Free Chinese voice synthesizer in GNU/Linux. At setup stage, English was offered and accepted as default language.
Hans is a Swiss VIP. Three main languages are spoken in Switzerland. At setup, German was offered and accepted by Hans.
Scope
Design
- Make eSpeak the default synthesizer on the Live CD. It supports more languages and has a much smaller footprint than Festival (though the voices are less natural).
Provide an easy way to change voices and synthesizers after install (apt-get one and change settings in Orca/SpeechDispatcher)
Implementation
Code
Data preservation and migration
Unresolved issues
[http://tcts.fpms.ac.be/synthesis/mbrola/mbrlicen.html MBROLA license]: contact mbrola at tcts.fpms.ac.be .