gumishu: Anyone know of computer software which can convert written text - such as online Polish newspaper articles - TO AUDIO. I would like to be able to listen and read along with the Polish text.
Anyone running OS X Lion (10.7): I just noticed the multi-language text-to-speech converter, which includes one Polish voice "Agata". If anyone can live with the default system voice "Alex" so she/he can live with "Agata" as well. Objectively, this is not as good as voices from ivona.com but this is free for Apple users and can be used off line.
Installation. Go to System Preferences. Select the Speech icon. Make sure that you are in the "Text to Speech" tab. You should see the default system voice "Alex". Select "Customize" instead. A dialog box opens up. Scroll to the Polish language, and then to the single voice "Agata" (at the time of this writing). This will starts downloading of 147 MB file and beginning of the installation procedure.
To test it: close and re-open all applications you wish to test: TextEdit, Safari, etc. Keep your System Preferences => Speech => Text-to-Speech open to be able to quickly switch between various voices installed, including Polish "Agata". Useful for multi-language texts.
Select some text, and from the top menu EDIT or right button pop-up menu select Speech=>Start Speaking.
How to use the Terminal to test various installed voices.
There are many more installed voices than those recognized as System voices (7 on my system, including Agata). Most of them are just for fun or to impress you friends. To get the entire list of voices type in the Terminal:
say -v ?
Agata pl_PL # Witaj. Mam na imię Agata, jestem głosem kobiecym dla języka polskiego.
Agnes en_US # Isn't it nice to have a computer that will talk to you?
Albert en_US # I have a frog in my throat. No, I mean a real frog!
Alex en_US # Most people recognize me by my voice.
Bad News en_US # The light you see at the end of the tunnel is the headlamp of a fast approaching train.
Bahh en_US # Do not pull the wool over my eyes.
Bells en_US # Time flies when you are having fun.
Boing en_US # Spring has sprung, fall has fell, winter's here and it's colder than usual.
Bruce en_US # I sure like being inside this fancy computer
Bubbles en_US # Pull the plug! I'm drowning!
Cellos en_US # Doo da doo da dum dee dee doodly doo dum dum dum doo da doo da doo da doo da doo da doo da doo
Deranged en_US # I need to go on a really long vacation.
Fred en_US # I sure like being inside this fancy computer
Good News en_US # Congratulations you just won the sweepstakes and you don't have to pay income tax again.
Hysterical en_US # Please stop tickling me!
Junior en_US # My favorite food is pizza.
Kathy en_US # Isn't it nice to have a computer that will talk to you?
Pipe Organ en_US # We must rejoice in this morbid voice.
Princess en_US # When I grow up I'm going to be a scientist.
Ralph en_US # The sum of the squares of the legs of a right triangle is equal to the square of the hypotenuse.
Trinoids en_US # We cannot communicate with these carbon units.
Vicki en_US # Isn't it nice to have a computer that will talk to you?
Victoria en_US # Isn't it nice to have a computer that will talk to you?
Whisper en_US # Pssssst, hey you, Yeah you, Who do ya think I'm talking to, the mouse?
Zarvox en_US # That looks like a peaceful planet.
[Comments (example samples) start with the # sign]
To test any of the voices type something like this:
say -v Bruce I sure like being inside this fancy computer
say -v Deranged I need to go on a really long vacation
To obtain other options type: man say
Have fun
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