Sometimes you may want a voice to pronounce a word differently — for example, having a British voice use American pronunciation. You can control pronunciation directly in the text box by using the helper buttons Insert Pronunciation (Alias) or Insert Pronunciation (IPA).
You can also enter the pronunciation code manually. Simply paste your content into the text box, locate the word you want to change, and replace it with your custom Alias or IPA pronunciation code. Once you’re finished, generate the voice to hear the updated pronunciation.
Option 1 — Alias Pronunciation (Simple)
Alias pronunciation is the easiest way to adjust how a word sounds. Enter the word as usual, then specify how it should be spoken.
Example – Zebra (American pronunciation):
<sub alias="Zee-bra">Zebra</sub>This will make the voice say “Zee-bra” instead of the British “Zed-bra.”
Example – Aluminum (American pronunciation):
<sub alias="uh-LOO-min-um">aluminum</sub>
Option 2 — IPA Pronunciation (Advanced)
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) provides more precise control over pronunciation and works well for unusual or technical words.
Example – Zebra:
<phoneme alphabet="ipa" ph="ziːbrə">Zebra</phoneme>
Example – Aluminum:
<phoneme alphabet="ipa" ph="əˈluːmɪnəm">aluminum</phoneme>
Using the Helper Buttons
- Type the word normally in the text box.
- Click Insert Pronunciation (Alias) or Insert Pronunciation (IPA).
- Enter the pronunciation when prompted.
Alias is recommended for most users because it is simpler and easier to read. IPA is best when you need precise control or want to create custom word.
A pronunciation cheat sheet will be available soon to help you to understand and create your own custom words.
About this project
To strengthen ADA compliance and improve access to digital content, I developed a streamlined text-to-speech solution designed for modern websites. The goal was to remove barriers for visitors with accessibility needs while making content easier to consume for a broader audience.
After evaluating available text-to-speech technologies, I selected Microsoft’s speech platform for its natural, human-sounding voices. Using Azure and Cloudflare, I built a secure, scalable interface that allows web teams to quickly convert page content into spoken audio.
In-addition, I designed a fully ADA-compliant audio player that integrates seamlessly into existing websites. The player is intuitive, keyboard-accessible, and screen-reader friendly, enabling visitors to easily play, pause, and navigate audio content without friction.
This solution is well suited for news articles, newsletters, announcements, and long-form pages commonly found in higher education and public-sector environments. Providing an audio option improves comprehension, supports inclusive communication, and helps institutions meet accessibility standards while increasing engagement and overall content effectiveness.