What Is SSML and How Is It Used?
SSML stands for Speech Synthesis Markup Language. Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) is an XML-based markup language for speech synthesis applications. SSML is often embedded in VoiceXML scripts to drive interactive telephony systems. However, it also may be used for creating text-to-speech audio books, chatbot voices, video, voice synthesis for podcasting, and numerous other text-to-speech projects.
Where ever audio applications can be used, SSML, along with an SSML processor, IPA processor, and Dictionary API, can be used to generate a human-like speech audio. In fact, there are some experts that say SSML may someday replace expensive voice-over services. Voice-over services may not be cost effective for your audio applications. SSML allows the speech developer to type text, add SSML tags, to produce high-quality audio files…with no re-recording required!
What is an SSML processor?
An SSML processor is a text-to-speech system (synthesis processor) that supports SSML, is responsible for rendering plain text into spoken (audio) output using tags and attributes. It uses the tagged information contained in a text editor to be rendered into audio, as intended by the author.
Our parent company, WP Global Syndicate LLC, is the developer of an outstanding SSML processor for personal or corporate training, as well as professional, commercial purposes. The processor is used as an editor, where SSML tags are added to plain text to produce an MP3 audio output. The combined text/SSML tagged file is sent to an Amazon audio services system (lambda) where the MP3 audio file is produced.
Our SSML processor and it’s features cannot be seen anywhere else in the world, especially when coupled with our exclusive International Phonetic Alphabet processor, and Dictionary API. No company in the world provides this type of comprehensive SSML training or products.
Why is an IPA Processor Necessary?
An International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) processor does some pretty unique things when it comes to processing text-to-speech with an SSML editor. The processor takes a normal English word and translates it into an IPA spelling, so that people from different countries can speak the word in English.
To learn more about this process, click here to learn more about the IPA. To simplify things a bit. There are words in the English language that are spelled the same but have different meanings or parts of speech. They are called homographs. For example, the word bow has two different parts of speech (noun and verb), different audio pronunciations for each, and several definitions.
Bow, the noun (the device used for hunting with arrows), is pronounced one way, while bow, the verb (kneeling in respect to royalty), has a very different pronunciation. But how do we know which one to use? First we must identify whether we need the noun (bow and arrows) or the verb version (kneeling). The only way to determine which one we can select is to:
Know the part of speech for each or know how each is pronounced. When we know one of these, we can use the proper IPA spelling from the IPA processor. Most text-to-speech editors cannot distinguish which IPA spelling to use, without some kind of processor that identifies the parts of speech and the IPA spelling for each. This process hasn’t been developed yet, until now!
With our SSML editor, IPA processor, and dictionary API, we can identify both the IPA spelling and the part of speech for each spelling. With the dictionary API, you can also preview the IPA spelling, definitions for each part of speech, and several examples of how the word is used.
Want to Train Your Internal Staff or Provide SSML training to Customers?
SSML Processor- Commercial License -
When you sign up for our 14-Day Free Trial, it’s our way of introducing students, business owners, and corporate management to our commercially-licensed training product. Here’s what our commercially-licensed training and SSML processor do for your business and employees. You receive everything you see in our online SSML processor, which includes:
- The same WordPress SSML processor plugin we use
- Live training classes and videos
- Low-cost annual updates to our training course and materials
- Installation on any WordPress website
- WordPress site integration for a one-time, setup fee (WooCommerce, WooCommerce Memberships, Subscriptions, Sensei, email, etc.), if required.
- Free online S3 course and assistance with Amazon S3 account setup
- Priority email technical support
- A low-cost International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) processor (Optional)
- Low-cost Dictionary API that delivers tons of information about a word
- Word spelling
- Phonetic spelling
- IPA spelling
- Part(s) of speech
- Definitions
- Example uses of the word selected
Doing the right Thing, At the right time
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