TTSLexx 5.2

TTSLexx is an application that enables users to create and utilize a custom dictionary for Google's Speech Services. It is particularly beneficial for languages with stress marks like Russian, but it also aids in improving reading proficiency in other languages, particularly by facilitating the use of online voices.

For more information, visit the app site here.

Supported languages include Bangla, Chinese, English, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Korean, Malayalam, Marathi, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

TTSLexx functions as a supplemental tool alongside Google TTS. It modifies the text when transferring it from book reading applications to Google's text-to-speech service based on the user's custom dictionary.

• IMPORTANT WARNING: TTSLexx is not recommended for use with critical applications such as TalkBack. Its functionality relies entirely on Google's Speech Services. TTSLexx does not support audio file output.

TTSLexx encompasses several features including:

• Built-in editor for creating a TTS.lexx dictionary within the app's internal storage. The editor can be accessed through the notification panel or via the Share function available in most readers. The editor allows users to see the text received from the reader app and the processed text passed to Google TTS by swiping left and right. The dictionary automatically updates in real-time.
• Voice selection and saving preferences independent of Google's default voice.
• Removal of periods at the end of sentences to prevent the reading of abbreviations which are often not actually abbreviations.
• Additional text processing features for the Russian language, including cleaning, standardization, and replacing certain characters to ensure accurate use of the dictionary (e.g., replacing "e" with "ё" in unambiguous cases).
• Support for "network" voices with the option to use a separate NET.lexx dictionary for them. "Network" voices require a stable internet connection and result in significantly fewer pronunciation errors. However, the decision to utilize network voices or their local variants is made by Google's Speech Services. Note that "network" voices do not function in "Airplane mode" even with Wi-Fi enabled.

The dictionary in TTSLexx incorporates three types of entries:

1. Regular expressions: Numbers enclosed in brackets [xxx] will not be voiced.
2. Direct replacement of words and expressions, including reading abbreviations. Quotation marks are required, and spacing is crucial. For the Russian language, homographs are read correctly within the context of neighboring words, their endings, and prepositions.
3. Replacement of individual words with correctly accented alternatives. This is the most extensive aspect for the Russian language. Other languages do not employ this feature. Words should be in lowercase without quotation marks to enhance performance.

Unfortunately, accents alone cannot resolve all issues. Some letters must be changed to others and new letters may need to be added. For example, йогурт becomes йо́гурт and отсекаем becomes отъсека́ем.

While Google's speech synthesis capabilities continue to improve, there will always be instances where it may mispronounce certain words, particularly in genres like fantasy where new words are frequently introduced by authors.