1. Nvda | Nvda
  2. Topics

NVDA reading speed

Josh Kennedy
 

When I use espeak, I find that the faster I read I have to turn the inflection down because the default inflection of 75 is too distracting. It's almost as if the speech is trying to hard to sound too natural. So I usually put the inflection down to 20 or 30 when I'm reading very fast with. espeak, and also when I am just navigating around or I want to get through emails quickly I mostly let the inflection at 20 or 30 and I put the race the rate boost I turn that on and I usually have my speech rate set to around 20 or 25%
Monte Single
 

And the perfect example of the synth knowing which way to say a word is the  word “read”.

Now, should that be pronounced reed or red?

 

From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel
Sent: December 30, 2022 12:00 PM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed

 

On Fri, Dec 30, 2022 at 12:52 PM, Brian's Mail list account wrote:

its still clear we have a long way to go to give accurate inflection and expression to voices.

-
I disagree.  The issue is not the ability of modern synthesizers to produce stunningly human-sounding voices, but the ability of the synthesizers (and/or what feeds them) to recognize the actual intent in a lot of text the way humans do.

There are scads of inflections for almost anything that can radically alter the meaning, but the technology that's "reading" or processing the text prior to it being sent for speech synthesis frequently does not recognize the intent behind the text.  This is another area where AI would enter the picture to clarify the intent of text prior to it being sent for speech synthesis.

The phrase, "Yeah, right," can mean two diametrically opposed things depending on inflection, so you're absolutely correct that unless the synth produces the correct inflection for the intent the meaning is not communicated in any way accurately.  That's far from the only instance.
--

Brian - Virginia, USA - Windows 10 Pro, 64-Bit, Version 22H2, Build 19045; Office 2016, Version 16.0.15726.20188, 32-bit

"Be Yourself" is the worst advice you can give to some people.

       ~ Tom Masson
Gene
 

Some synthesizers of the newer variety are very bad at pausing properly.  Some may not be.  But I've heard enough of them that that is one reason I still use Via Voice which is very similar to Eloquence.  and I am using it legally, by the way.  I have it as a result of purchasing programs that use it and its use is unrestricted as far as other programs seeing an working with it is concerned.

Via Voice has good rules for determining pauses and inflection.  I'm not saying they are of human speaker quality but they are good enough.  If they weren't, I'd be the first to complain, being very sensitive to such things, having been active in a drama school during my teenage years.

Dectalk, largely unused these days, has good pausing rules as well.

Gene.

On 12/30/2022 11:59 AM, Brian Vogel wrote:

On Fri, Dec 30, 2022 at 12:52 PM, Brian's Mail list account wrote:
its still clear we have a long way to go to give accurate inflection and expression to voices.
-
I disagree.  The issue is not the ability of modern synthesizers to produce stunningly human-sounding voices, but the ability of the synthesizers (and/or what feeds them) to recognize the actual intent in a lot of text the way humans do.

There are scads of inflections for almost anything that can radically alter the meaning, but the technology that's "reading" or processing the text prior to it being sent for speech synthesis frequently does not recognize the intent behind the text.  This is another area where AI would enter the picture to clarify the intent of text prior to it being sent for speech synthesis.

The phrase, "Yeah, right," can mean two diametrically opposed things depending on inflection, so you're absolutely correct that unless the synth produces the correct inflection for the intent the meaning is not communicated in any way accurately.  That's far from the only instance.
--

Brian - Virginia, USA - Windows 10 Pro, 64-Bit, Version 22H2, Build 19045; Office 2016, Version 16.0.15726.20188, 32-bit

"Be Yourself" is the worst advice you can give to some people.

       ~ Tom Masson
Louise Pfau
 

Hi.  I'm used to having the screen reader speed set quite high now because that's how I had to have it in university so I could get through my course material.  When I was learning to use a screen reader, I would gradually increase the speed as I became more comfortable.
--
Louise
Windows 10 Pro 22H2 (OS Build 19045.2364).
NVDA 2022.3.2.
Brian Vogel
 

On Fri, Dec 30, 2022 at 12:52 PM, Brian's Mail list account wrote:
its still clear we have a long way to go to give accurate inflection and expression to voices.
-
I disagree.  The issue is not the ability of modern synthesizers to produce stunningly human-sounding voices, but the ability of the synthesizers (and/or what feeds them) to recognize the actual intent in a lot of text the way humans do.

There are scads of inflections for almost anything that can radically alter the meaning, but the technology that's "reading" or processing the text prior to it being sent for speech synthesis frequently does not recognize the intent behind the text.  This is another area where AI would enter the picture to clarify the intent of text prior to it being sent for speech synthesis.

The phrase, "Yeah, right," can mean two diametrically opposed things depending on inflection, so you're absolutely correct that unless the synth produces the correct inflection for the intent the meaning is not communicated in any way accurately.  That's far from the only instance.
--

Brian - Virginia, USA - Windows 10 Pro, 64-Bit, Version 22H2, Build 19045; Office 2016, Version 16.0.15726.20188, 32-bit

"Be Yourself" is the worst advice you can give to some people.

       ~ Tom Masson
Brian's Mail list account
 

I was not blind to start with, and this may well reflect on the reading speed I use. The voice in Microsoft Edge seems pretty good to me for reading stuff, and I tend to just convert stuff to html or pdf to read in that. However I've not yet delved into anything more advanced than Daniel etc, for reading in NVDA. They are passable, but if you listen to the real John Briggs reading, its still clear we have a long way to go to give accurate inflection and expression to voices.
Brian

--
bglists@...
Sent via blueyonder.(Virgin media)
Please address personal E-mail to:-
briang1@..., putting 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name field.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Shook" <chris0309@...>
To: <nvda@nvda.groups.io>
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2022 8:20 PM
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed


I keep mine slower than most. I think it's because I read using audio
books growing up and I like mine to be as close to that speed as possible.
Monty have you been blind long?
Sarah k Alawami
 

I've listened to the vocalizer speed at about 100, slower with rate boost,
same with one core, I have to listen fast as I want to cram as much info in
as I can as fast as possible. I will slow down for demos, unless I'm
describing what I'm hearing. Then I will not.

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Shook
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2022 7:24 AM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed

I know most people prefer the robitic voices, but I use Vocalizer
expressive.
What is a good speed for that synthesizer.
Monte Single
 

I have been low vision all my life, you could tell by the ink spot on my
nose.
10 years ago the retina in my eye with some vision detached and the
reattachment did not work
So I started doing it in the dark, everything.

I had learnt braille in grade 5 and could touch type, so that wasn't bad.
All o a sudden shopping became 1 of the most difficult things.
Ho ho ho, and don't forget trying to find your way in several inches of
fresh snow with a cane. It really is blindman's fog.
OK , back on topic.

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Shook
Sent: December 29, 2022 2:21 PM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed

I keep mine slower than most. I think it's because I read using audio books
growing up and I like mine to be as close to that speed as possible.
Monty have you been blind long?
Chris Shook
 

I know most people prefer the robitic voices, but I use Vocalizer expressive.
What is a good speed for that synthesizer.
Monte Single
 

I've been using a screen reader for about 12 years. I do not like it any faster than 180 words a minute.
Same thing with talking books. I like the speed just a bit faster than regular conversations, and no I find eloquence to robotic. Yes, I know it remains understandable at higher speeds, it's just not my mug of ale.

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gene
Sent: December 29, 2022 8:35 AM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA Chat reading speed

I wouldn't generalize beyond a point. While I would expect many blind users to use rapid speeds as they become experienced, I would imagine some people just like or want to use slower speeds even if they are experienced.

Gene

On 12/29/2022 8:12 AM, Chris Shook wrote:
Hi,
I was just curious about something. Do all blind people keep their
screen reader at high speeds, or is that just some of us?
Chris





.
Brian's Mail list account
 

Yes but its not a competition. Its just what one can comfortably use without stress, and everyone varies.

I think one of my bug bears is when somebody does a demo of something that we may wish to put out to other blind listeners, if they would only slow the screenreader down first we would use it. We would not use it if it was at breakneck speed on Eloquence as nobody who is beginning would have any idea at all what was being said. As somebody said this is called Auctioneer speed, and helps very few people who are trying to learn. However too s l o w can also be very irritating.
Brian

--
bglists@...
Sent via blueyonder.(Virgin media)
Please address personal E-mail to:-
briang1@..., putting 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name field.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Smart" <ve3rwj@...>
To: <nvda@nvda.groups.io>
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2022 5:48 PM
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed


Totally blind, and listening to computer speech of one form or another since
age 10. I'm now 46.

I am totally comfortable listening to Jaws or NVDA Eloquence at 70%, and iOS
Voiceover with Alex at 75% on my iPhone. I know people who go quite a bit
faster than that even.



73,
Chris

VE3RWJ on qrz.com
Follow Me On Twitter

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Shook
Sent: December 29, 2022 12:43 PM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed

Thanks for the feedback. I was just curious.
Brian's Mail list account
 

Mine is set at 44, but even that is considered too fast by a person trying to understand what I'm actually doing. I use Espeak and Quincy variant and though its true it can and does go faster, it can add to stress levels past a certain point. I feel I'm being rushed.
Brian

--
bglists@...
Sent via blueyonder.(Virgin media)
Please address personal E-mail to:-
briang1@..., putting 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name field.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Monte Single" <mrsingle@...>
To: <nvda@nvda.groups.io>
Sent: Friday, December 30, 2022 9:13 AM
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed


As I wrote in an earlier message, I have nvda set toabout 180 words per
minute. A lot of blind users would find this fairly slow. To me it is just
a bit faster than regular conversations.

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Shook
Sent: December 29, 2022 8:12 AM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: [nvda] NVDA Chat reading speed

Hi,
I was just curious about something. Do all blind people keep their screen
reader at high speeds, or is that just some of us?
Chris
Brian's Mail list account
 

I myself do not have it really fast, but some do. Its very personal. I think it also depends on whether you are in work or not, and what content you are consuming. I could not ramp up speed of any voice when its reading important info or telling a story, but might go faster if its just navigation which you are mostly familiar with as you do it all the time. Are you talking nvda specific here?
Brian

--
bglists@...
Sent via blueyonder.(Virgin media)
Please address personal E-mail to:-
briang1@..., putting 'Brian Gaff'
in the display name field.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Shook" <chris0309@...>
To: <nvda@nvda.groups.io>
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2022 2:12 PM
Subject: [nvda] NVDA Chat reading speed


Hi,
I was just curious about something. Do all blind people keep their
screen reader at high speeds, or is that just some of us?
Chris
Monte Single
 

As I wrote in an earlier message, I have nvda set toabout 180 words per
minute. A lot of blind users would find this fairly slow. To me it is just
a bit faster than regular conversations.

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Shook
Sent: December 29, 2022 8:12 AM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: [nvda] NVDA Chat reading speed

Hi,
I was just curious about something. Do all blind people keep their screen
reader at high speeds, or is that just some of us?
Chris
Chris Shook
 

I keep mine slower than most. I think it's because I read using audio books growing up and I like mine to be as close to that speed as possible.
Monty have you been blind long?
Monte Single
 

I do not know the per centage I have n v d a set to, but it is around 180
words a minute. I would just fry my brain if I try 300 words per minute.

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Smart
Sent: December 29, 2022 11:49 AM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed

Totally blind, and listening to computer speech of one form or another since
age 10. I'm now 46.

I am totally comfortable listening to Jaws or NVDA Eloquence at 70%, and iOS
Voiceover with Alex at 75% on my iPhone. I know people who go quite a bit
faster than that even.



73,
Chris

VE3RWJ on qrz.com
Follow Me On Twitter

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Shook
Sent: December 29, 2022 12:43 PM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed

Thanks for the feedback. I was just curious.
Sarah k Alawami
 

I used to be able to listen at 110 to 130 on mac os, thanks to a hack, and
100 on windows, not anymore on ios it was at 90 before I had to slow it
down. I'm 40 and have some hearing loss.

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Smart
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2022 9:49 AM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed

Totally blind, and listening to computer speech of one form or another since
age 10. I'm now 46.

I am totally comfortable listening to Jaws or NVDA Eloquence at 70%, and iOS
Voiceover with Alex at 75% on my iPhone. I know people who go quite a bit
faster than that even.



73,
Chris

VE3RWJ on qrz.com
Follow Me On Twitter

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Shook
Sent: December 29, 2022 12:43 PM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed

Thanks for the feedback. I was just curious.
Chris Smart
 

Totally blind, and listening to computer speech of one form or another since
age 10. I'm now 46.

I am totally comfortable listening to Jaws or NVDA Eloquence at 70%, and iOS
Voiceover with Alex at 75% on my iPhone. I know people who go quite a bit
faster than that even.



73,
Chris

VE3RWJ on qrz.com
Follow Me On Twitter

-----Original Message-----
From: nvda@nvda.groups.io <nvda@nvda.groups.io> On Behalf Of Chris Shook
Sent: December 29, 2022 12:43 PM
To: nvda@nvda.groups.io
Subject: Re: [nvda] NVDA reading speed

Thanks for the feedback. I was just curious.
Chris Shook
 

Thanks for the feedback. I was just curious.
Governor staten
 

I keep mine around 70. I use ESpeak.




On 12/29/2022 9:12 AM, Chris Shook wrote:

Hi,
I was just curious about something. Do all blind people keep their screen reader at high speeds, or is that just some of us?
Chris





1 - 20 of 27