Enabling IT Usage through the Creation of a High Quality Hindi Text-to-Speech System
Bali, Kalika; N, Sridhar Krishna; Badasker, Sameer; Kuchibhotia, Anjaneyulu
HPL-2007-44
External - Copyright Consideration
Keyword(s): text-to-speech; local language
Abstract: Emerging markets have a significant business potential for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products provided we address the problems that are characteristic of these economies. Providing interfaces that support local language interaction is one of the major barriers that can be resolved by using appropriate technology. On the other hand, these markets are witnessing a boom in the telecom sector with unprecedented growth in the use of telephone, both landline and mobile. In this context, speech output is a natural way of dispensing information and providing access to ICT services and products. In this paper, we describe a high quality Text-to-Speech (TTS) in Hindi created by HP Labs India. HP Labs India Hindi TTS was created with a modular and scalable framework developed using Festival (an Open Source TTS System) and language processing tools developed in the lab. The TTS engine can be used for voice-based services running on Open Call Media Platform (OCMP), applications running on iPAQ and along with digital libraries such as DSpace to provide a more natural interface for Hindi-speakers. This could allow HP products to address new application requirements using local language speech synthesis and thereby enable HP to address this market more effectively.
7 Pages
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