This application
is almost identical to the standard Multilingual
Editor developed by the Lab with the added provision for speech output
during the editing process. This application currently works under Microsoft
Windows on a PC which has a sound card.
This speech enhanced
multilingual editor allows visually handicapped persons learn to use the
keyboard and prepare documents in indian languages as well as in English.
Each akshara is spoken as it is typed in and the editor provides for hearing
each akshara, word and a whole line of text during the editing process.
An existing document may be opened and heard by the user thus providing
an important function of reading out already prepared text.
This editor is currently
being distributed to the Visually Handicapped people of India through schools
and volunteer organizations. The software is based on the MBROLA speech
synthesizer.
The speech enabled
version is not provided as a downloadable application from this site. The
editor is usually provided on a CDRom, given to a user after a short period
of training effected at Vidya Vrikshah. The use of the editor requires
one to understand the principles of syllable based data entry. It is quite
difficult for a Visually Handicapped person to grasp the principles of
operation of the editor unless he/she gets trained.
Those already familiar
with the use of screen reading software (e.g.,JAWS) have asked us as to
why this editor does not work in a similar fashion. Often one overlooks
the fact that there is no other software application available (yet) which
offers continuous speech synthesis capabilities in Indian languages.
Localization in respect
of Indian languages appears to be a distant reality even today (June 2006).
Under the circumstances, the use of the IITM speech enhanced editor seems
appropriate, at least for intial training in schools.
A short video clip
has been made to illustrate the use of the Editor. The clip is in the Real
media format and can be viewed with the Real Player. A version of the clip
in the Windows media format is also available if an appropriate link is
seen below.
Real
Media video clip (runs for about 3 minutes) [~ 6.2Mb]
Windows
media video clip [~ 6.0Mb]
Please contact
the lab or Vidya Vrikshah for further information.
