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Storyline: Multilingual Course with Text-to-Speech

AllisonLaMotte's avatar
6 years ago

Text-to-Speech voiceover audio makes localizing courses in multiple languages a snap. And with Storyline 360, creating Text-to-Speech is a snap. Check out this example and this tutorial to get an idea for how to set up your own multi-lingual courses.

Published 6 years ago
Version 1.0
  • Of the three examples I've seen, this is the best voice and gives me hope that I'll be able to choose voices when building. Thanks for sharing!
  • JochenPils's avatar
    JochenPils
    Community Member
    I like this text2speech demo and also the function overall. We have done a 30 minutes WBT with it in German and have had no budget for a prefessional speaker. So in this setting, it makes a good job. Until now we did not get negative feedback from the users.
  • RickPruitt's avatar
    RickPruitt
    Community Member
    I use video for technical demonstrations with the audio in English. I have been adding the script to the notes for translation and then visible to the learner to view in their language. Now I can have the script read and they can focus on the activities in the video rather than reading the script (the text is not on the slides or at least not the full script). Looks very promising and so far the Swedish we tested is quite good.
  • PierreNadeau's avatar
    PierreNadeau
    Community Member
    Thank you for sharing this example...I will not use Text-to-Speech voiceover. Boring.
  • ReneJost's avatar
    ReneJost
    Community Member
    Speaking out loud what is already readable on the slides is not a big benefit, neither from a real speaker nor from a machine. But it can be a big benefit if a speaker is explaining non written content (maybe describing a graph by reading a "hidden" text box like white letters on white background?).
    Since the translation into other languages typically fails due to the costs, this can be a possibility to convince decision makers more easily of this variant. To make this thing perfect we just need another function that translates also the written words on a click in good quality (like DeepL) .... ;-)
    • KayleighSaum-aa's avatar
      KayleighSaum-aa
      Community Member
      Text to speech is primarily an accessibility feature for those with low or no vision. I hope that helps you see its purpose.
    • KaiRichelsen's avatar
      KaiRichelsen
      Community Member
      Compared to the voices that come with the text-to-speech engine of MacOS, both English and German sound pretty natural. Off course no comparison to a real speaker, but as Rene mentioned having "built in" narration simplifies production processes enormously. Especially if no native speaker is available.

      The Chinese topped the approach by adding an animated avatar to their text-to-speech engine: https://twitter.com/XHNews/status/1060161714123984901
    • AllisonLaMotte's avatar
      AllisonLaMotte
      Staff
      That's exactly right! Great idea for the translation feature, however machine translation isn't quite up to par yet ;)
  • I use the text-to-speech feature during course design. It helps with timing and animations, plus listening to the script helps to catch any errors or statements that may confuse the learner. After the course is reviewed and ready to go into production, I remove the text-to-voice and replace with a real voice.

    Thumbs up for text-to-speech it is a fantastic feature!
    • Danielle-Watkin's avatar
      Danielle-Watkin
      Community Member
      We do this too. It is really helpful for our Alpha reviews when our SMEs are less used to eLearning. It helps them really experience what the course will sound like when they receive the beta. We don't do it with every client, but some just need this.
  • I agree with Victor and find that it does not add any value. My clients would read this and not have headphones on to listen.
    Having a voiceover is not about reading the text on the screen as it appears because the user has no option here. We can give the user a choice to have the text read out to them especially for second language speakers / readers to help them.
    Recording voice is not an issue we generally have a problem with and it does not take long.
    Use voice to add to the slide instead of reading what is on the screen as we need to add value for out clients and users.
  • LuPost's avatar
    LuPost
    Community Member
    I agree, but it makes it very easy and time/cost-effective when you have to deliver courses in multiple languages.
  • Although this is an alternative to an actual voiceover produced by a professional, it is somewhat dull and lack-luster. I find the voiceover not exciting and would be a "turn-off" for my clients. Sorry, but this will not work for me.
    • leite-ricardo's avatar
      leite-ricardo
      Community Member
      I partially agree with that. I do not find very pleasant to listen to voice-over. However, others may prefer it. Sometime ago I have built a Storyline scene with voice-over and created a copy without voice-over. Added a slide at the beginning to choose from both options and let the learners decide. This can be a solution that will not require that much extra work.