Amazon has introduced new Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) features to its voice assistant Alexa that allows it to whisper, bleep, and even change its pitch.
Speech Synthesis Markup Language, or SSML, is a standardized markup language that allows developers to control pronunciation, intonation, timing, and emotion. SSML support on Alexa allows you to control how Alexa generates speech from your skill’s text responses. You can add pauses, change pronunciation, spell out a word, add short audio snippets, and insert speechcons (special words and phrases) into your skill. These SSML features provide a more natural voice experience.
Speech Synthesis Markup Language, or SSML, is a standardized markup language that allows developers to control pronunciation, intonation, timing, and emotion. SSML support on Alexa allows you to control how Alexa generates speech from your skill’s text responses. You can add pauses, change pronunciation, spell out a word, add short audio snippets, and insert speechcons (special words and phrases) into your skill. These SSML features provide a more natural voice experience.
SSML support on Alexa allows users to control how Alexa generates speech from their skill's text responses. Developers can add pauses, change pronunciation, spell out a word, and add short audio snippets using existing SSML tags. Now, Amazon has added five more:Announcing new SSML features to give your #Alexa skill a wide range of natural expression, including whispers & more https://t.co/KXAZGISHJK pic.twitter.com/1jQzGwuGtY— Alexa Developers (@alexadevs) April 27, 2017
- Whispers : Convey a softer dialog with <amazon:effect name="whispered">.
- Expletive beeps : Bleep out words with <say-as interpret-as="expletive">.
- Sub : Use the <sub> tag when you want Alexa to say something other than what’s written.
- Emphasis : Add <emphasis> to change the rate and volume at which Alexa speaks.
- Prosody : Use this tage to control the volume, pitch, and rate of speech.
Source : Amazon Developers
