My boss at my last job used to entertain himself proof read his emails and documents by copying and pasting, then listening to them into a program called 'Read Please'. One day he joked about having a dirty novel read back to him in 'Marilyn's' voice. But, that's another story.
I've used the program myself, just to ensure business letters and the like, sound up to par. It got me thinking! With learning Thai, it's kind of frustrating when you start to construct sentences, but can't hear the words strung together...melodically, tonally.
My Thai-English-Thai dictionary is like my bible, but I can only hear the words individually, the same goes for Thai Language, another invaluable recourse.
The translate function on Google appears to offer only audio in English and my search for PC software that's capable of turning Thai text to speech, has led me on a bit of a goose chase. Too many broken links, links to iPhone Apps and non events, to list (Vaja, Salika, Nectec, ISpeech, Thaiedit...) But then I came across this.
http://www.oddcast.com/home/demos/tts/tts_example.php?sitepal
It's a little labour intensive. First I have to type out my sentences in Thai using a virtual keyboard, then copy and paste them into the 'enter text' box, change the language to Thai and then click 'say it'.
She does tend to balk on some words...but try it for yourself and let me know what you think. Even better, if you know of an online or software program that's more efficient, please let me know.
Here are some phrases I prepared earlier, if you'd like to give it a quick whirl. Be patient, it takes Narisa a few seconds to digest the words before she says them.
I've used the program myself, just to ensure business letters and the like, sound up to par. It got me thinking! With learning Thai, it's kind of frustrating when you start to construct sentences, but can't hear the words strung together...melodically, tonally.
My Thai-English-Thai dictionary is like my bible, but I can only hear the words individually, the same goes for Thai Language, another invaluable recourse.
The translate function on Google appears to offer only audio in English and my search for PC software that's capable of turning Thai text to speech, has led me on a bit of a goose chase. Too many broken links, links to iPhone Apps and non events, to list (Vaja, Salika, Nectec, ISpeech, Thaiedit...) But then I came across this.
http://www.oddcast.com/home/demos/tts/tts_example.php?sitepal
It's a little labour intensive. First I have to type out my sentences in Thai using a virtual keyboard, then copy and paste them into the 'enter text' box, change the language to Thai and then click 'say it'.
She does tend to balk on some words...but try it for yourself and let me know what you think. Even better, if you know of an online or software program that's more efficient, please let me know.
Here are some phrases I prepared earlier, if you'd like to give it a quick whirl. Be patient, it takes Narisa a few seconds to digest the words before she says them.
