Most translators receive an original document in paper or digital format, we analyze it and then begin to translate. But, has it ever crossed our mind using a text to speech or speech to text tool as aid in our translations? Below we will see some of the most interesting tools available in the market.

First of all, these are four text to speech tools that are widely used:

1. Natural Reader (download trial)

A priori, it works like any other software of its kind and it supports Windows Vista and Office 2007. One of the ways we can make it run is to copy the text we need and to paste it in the software’s main window. Another way is to open a TXT or RTF file and work directly in this interface. The software also allows us to select text from any window and then click on the Play button to start speaking aloud the written text. 

2. ReadPlease (download trial)

This software can read aloud everything that is displayed in the PC screen, as long as it can be pasted in the Clipboard. It has some drawbacks and, when reading numbers it can be a bit confusing but, in general terms, it is a very interesting took for any translator.

3. Text2Go (download trial)

This is one of the most basic tools available since it only works with files in HTML format, but it is very useful to get us off the hook.

4. TextAloud (download trial)

For some translators, this will be the only software they will be able to use since it is the one that supports the greatest number of languages. It works with HTML, Word and PDF files.
Dragon Naturally Speaking has also a feature (a little bit basic in some aspects) to turn text into speech. If we already have installed the software, it is very likely we will have to download another one for this purpose.

How can all these software be useful to translators? We will discuss that in the following article.

(Continues in Part 2)

María Dolores González
www.quillslanguage.com

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