eSpeak

eSpeak is a small, open-source software that turns written text into speech. It works on Linux, Windows, and other platforms like Android and Mac. Using a clever method called “formant synthesis,” eSpeak can handle many languages while staying lightweight everything fits into just 2 megabytes! It’s great for clear, fast speech, though it may not sound as smooth as larger systems that use human recordings. You can use it to read text aloud, create WAV audio files, or even integrate it into other apps. eSpeak supports many languages, SSML and HTML formats, and works with tools like screen readers or MBROLA voices. Plus, you can tweak its voices and even help improve or add languages if you’re a native speaker. It’s simple, powerful, and perfect for accessibility and learning!