Speech to Text tools are available on your computer through your device, browser or extensions. This technology premiered in 1936 with the first text to speech device and over time continued to develop with more advanced and improved technology. Speech technology installed on computers or devices with different apps and software help anyone with dyslexia or other learning disabilities.
History of Speech to Text Technology
1936 – First Text to Speech Tools
Believe or not the first speech to text was the world’s first voice electronic synthesizer created in 1936 by Homer Dudley in the Bell Telephone Laboratory in Murray Hill, New Jersey. The speech-to-text-, the first electronic device that could generate continuous human speech electronically became the first text to speech device.
Although, not as efficient as our present-day text to speech the Voder was audible. According to Smithsonian.com the Voder “could create 20 or so different buzzes and chirps, which the operator could manipulate using 10 keys, a wrist plate, and a pedal.”
From the 1950s to ’60s
In the history of speech recognition software technology, this was the era of ‘baby talk’; only numbers and digits could be comprehended. In 1952, ‘Audrey’ was invented by Bell Laboratories which could only understand numbers. But in 1962, the ‘shoebox’ technology was able to understand 16 words in English. Later, voice recognition was enhanced to comprehend 9 consonants and 4 vowels.
The U.S. Department of Defense contributed heavily towards the development of speech recognition systems and from 1971 to 1976, it funded the DARPA SUR (Speech Understanding Research) program. As a result, ‘Harpy’ was developed by Carnegie Mellon which had the ability to comprehend 1011 words. It employed a more efficient system of searching for logical sentences. There were also parallel advancements in technology such as the development of a device by Bell Laboratories that could understand more than one person’s voice.
Speech to Text Technology grew throughout the 1970s through the 1990’s
There were several breakthroughs in the Speech to Text technology. Contributions from the U.S. Department of Defense supported speech recognition technology from 1971 to 1976 with the development of DARPA SUR ‘s (Speech Understanding Research) program. According to Total Voice Technologies web site, “Harpy” developed by Carnegie Mellon was able to comprehend 1011 words.
Searching for logical sentences was also an ability of Harpy’s. Bell’s technologies were not to be left behind, the company developed a device that could understand more than one person’s voice.
According to Total Voice Technologies web site timeline, the 1980s proved to be a promising time for Speech to Text technology. Using statistics to determine the probability of a word originating from an unknown sound the hidden Markov model did not rely on fixed templates or speech patterns. This technology was mostly used in industries and business applications.
In the 80s speech recognition was not flawless, for the speech recognition system to be successful there needed to be a break between each spoken word.
In the 90’s faster computers and processors helped Speech to Text technology advance. In 1994 Nuance was founded. Nuance deployed its first commercial large-scale speech application in 1996. This application was a call center’s automated answering center.
Marketing call center automation would reduce the staff of call center staff.
Today’s Speech to Text Technology
Today speech technology is everywhere and can recognize spoken words and convert them to text. We interact with speech recognition tools when we call companies with automated customer service. Voice assistants can reply with accuracy in response to answers supplied by the caller.
Currently, all major technology companies have invested heavily in the development of speech recognition. Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Home are used in homes and speech recognition which can control devices in smart homes. Speech recognition is also used in cars with navigation, making cell phone calls and getting information on restaurants, movie theaters, and stores.
Speech to text tools for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia
It is very empowering to young dysgraphia or dyslexia students that have a very hard time writing simple sentences when they want to write a bigger story. Speech to Text can be very useful for students when searching for subjects on the internet. However, strange mistakes can happen and cause frustration.
Speech to text software is getting better all the time, but it’s not yet perfect. Sometimes, speech to text has a hard time “understanding” user intent or has a hard time understanding different accents. However, this can be resolved with playback functionality so that your words can be read back to users. This tool helps to ensure the text says what you intended.
In middle school and high school and college, using speech to text to successfully write something as complex as a paper requires quite a bit of preparation. Planning out the sequence of your ideas, and speaking in complete, fluent sentences is difficult. There will be a lot of redoing and adjusting for the student but if an outline and ideas are well thought out there might be less adjustment.
Popular Speech to Text Technology Tools
There are multiple popular speech technology tools are currently available on the market. speech-to-text a speech to text software used in schools helps students write and perform to their abilities.
The software takes what they are saying and types it down for the student. They can edit it for more accuracy and clarity and the process is faster as well as gives the student confidence and the ability to get their ideas down in a productive manner. According to the Dragon Speech Recognition Resolution website students to business professionals use the software to enhance their work productivity by “working faster and smarter”.
Text to Speech Browser Extensions
There are speech to text tools and extensions on your computer and devices that will also give you the ability to speak and it will type in your words. If you are wanting to read back your words enable TTS or Text to Speech, Installing the appropriate extension will enable you to highlight the text you want to read and choose to speak on your extension like chrome browsers or google chrome .
The Elegant Themes business blog lists “10 Best Speech to Text Tools to Speed Up Your Writing Process”. This list includes Google docs voice to text, Window, and Apple dictation and many more.
Today’s speech technology is creating a positive learning and writing environment for Dyslexia and Dysgraphia students and adults. Technologies that were mostly created and designed by private industry and the U.S. Government benefit students and adults with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties. While technology improves, the learning environment for these students and adults will also improve and lead them to success.
Below are additional Speech to Text Tools and Resources
- 10 Best Speech to Text Tools to Speed Up Your Writing Process
- 8 Voice-to-Text Software That’ll Help You Work Faster
- Best speech to text app of 2019
Photo by Alphacolor on Unsplash
Zahavit Paz is a co-founder of LD Resources Foundation. She’s a graduate of CUNY Graduate disabilities study program. She is often a presenter on Assistive Technology at professional conferences in schools and colleges and has written extensively on her personal struggle with Dyslexia and ADHD. She is an advocate for individuals with LD and provides resources and information through the LDRFA website. More info about Zahavit Paz.