Read Text-0.8.73

Extension:
Extension ID:
ca.bc.vancouver.holgate.james.readtextextension
Release date:
06/11/2023 - 01:47
Version:
0.8.73
Operating system:
Linux, Linux x86-64, MacOS X, System Independent, Windows
Compatibility:
4.1
Binary type:
OpenOffice extension (.oxt)
Release Notes: 

## All

- On supported platforms, the first time you select text and click the
toolbar button, the extension reads the selected text aloud using
default settings instead of showing a dialogue. This makes it
quicker and easier for new users to get started.
- Bug fixes and performance improvements.
- On supported platforms, enable export of `x-sampa` or `ipa`
International Phonetic data using an XML format. The [World Wide Web
Pronunciation Lexicon
Specification](https://www.w3.org/TR/pronunciation-lexicon/) (PLS)
is a standard way to describe pronunciation. For example, accessible
ePub books can use PLS files to help reading systems pronounce
uncommon words, place names and personal names correctly.
- The PLS uses `alias` to refer to a sequence of words. For
example, writers can use “W3C” to mean “World Wide Web
Consortium”.
- The W3C Pronunication Lexicon Specification uses `phoneme` to
refer to an alternate spelling that uses a phonetic code.
- [IPA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Phonetic_Alphabet)
uses `/ˈkænjən/` for `canyon`. The strings can include
special reserved IPA characters.
- [X-SAMPA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-SAMPA) uses
`["k{J@n]` for `canyon`. The strings use standard ASCII
code.
- Specific language models might only support phonemes that are
widely used in the language. As a result, they might not be able
to pronounce some words correctly.
- Specific language models might require a specific phonetic
code - like IPA or X-SAMPA.
- Each exported XML file includes only one regional pronunciation.
Editors and publishers can optionally edit the file to specify
pronunciation of specific words for other regions using a code
editor.

## MacOS

The MacOS system allowed access to the phoneme editor even when phoneme
substitution was not available using the default AppleScript scripting
language. Now the extension disables right-click accessto editing
phonemes from the tools button of the *About* dialog if `python3` is not
enabled.

- MacOS only supports phonemic substitution if `python3` is enabled in
the main dialog. Some MacOS users might need to agree to the current
“Xcode and Apple SDKs license” to use some features of this
extension that use python code. You can view and agree or reject the
Apple license agreement by entering the following in a terminal
window: `sudo xcodebuild -license`.
- Editing and using phonemic substitution requires you to enable
`/usr/bin/python3` in the external program field of the main dialog
of the extension dialog instead of the default `/usr/bin/osascript`.

## Windows

- The file dialog for the saving a phoneme file did not suggest a file
name. It now suggests a file name.
- The extension can use StarBasic to generate SAPI text to speech if
the Windows system `wscript.exe` program is not available.

## Linux

Make it easier to add and select
[piper-tts](https://github.com/rhasspy/piper#voices) voice models. Linux
Piper replaces Larynx, because Larynx contributors can no longer update
Larynx code.
- The main menu includes some suggested voices for different
languages.
- When piper-tts is available, the main menu includes a menu item to
update piper-tts metadata to include new languages and voices.