How to Convert Text to Speech with Python

Converting text to speech is a useful feature that can be implemented in various applications. In this article, we will explore how to use Python to convert text to speech using the pyttsx3 library.

Installing pyttsx3

First, you will need to install the pyttsx3 library. You can do this using pip, the Python package manager, by running the following command in your terminal or command prompt:

pip install pyttsx3

Using pyttsx3 to Convert Text to Speech

Once pyttsx3 is installed, you can use it to convert text to speech in just a few lines of Python code. Here’s an example:

        
import pyttsx3

# Initialize the text-to-speech engine
engine = pyttsx3.init()

# Convert text to speech
text = "Hello, this is a test."
engine.say(text)
engine.runAndWait()
        
    

In this example, we initialized the text-to-speech engine using pyttsx3.init() and then used the say() method to convert the text “Hello, this is a test.” to speech. Finally, we called the runAndWait() method to play the speech.

Changing Speech Properties

pyttsx3 also provides the ability to customize the speech properties, such as the speech rate and volume. Here’s an example of how to change the speech rate and volume:

        
# Change speech rate
engine.setProperty('rate', 150)  # Speed of speech, words per minute

# Change speech volume
engine.setProperty('volume', 1.0)  # Volume (0.0 to 1.0)
        
    

In this example, we used the setProperty() method to change the speech rate to 150 words per minute and the volume to 1.0 (maximum volume).

Conclusion

Using Python and the pyttsx3 library, you can easily convert text to speech in your applications. Whether you’re building a chatbot, creating a voice assistant, or adding speech capabilities to a game, pyttsx3 provides a simple and effective way to integrate text-to-speech functionality.