> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/nvaccess/nvda/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Speech and Braille

> Configure speech synthesizers, braille displays, and customize output settings in NVDA

NVDA provides comprehensive support for both speech synthesis and braille displays, enabling multiple ways to access computer content.

## Speech Synthesizer Support

### Built-in Speech: eSpeak NG

NVDA includes eSpeak NG, a free, open-source, multilingual speech synthesizer.

**Features:**

* Supports over 80 languages
* No additional downloads required
* Lightweight and responsive
* Multiple voice variants available
* Adjustable speech parameters

<Info>
  eSpeak NG works immediately after installing NVDA with no additional setup required.
</Info>

### Changing Synthesizers

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Select Synthesizer Dialog">
    Press `NVDA+Control+S`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Synthesizer">
    Use arrow keys to browse available synthesizers, then press Enter
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Voice">
    The Speech Settings dialog opens automatically. Select your preferred voice and adjust settings.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Supported synthesizers include:**

* eSpeak NG (built-in)
* Microsoft Speech API version 4 (SAPI 4)
* Microsoft Speech API version 5 (SAPI 5)
* Microsoft OneCore voices (Windows 10/11)
* Windows Speech Platform
* Third-party synthesizers via add-ons

### Speech Settings

Access speech settings: **Press `NVDA+Control+V`**

#### Voice Selection

<Accordion title="Voice">
  Choose from available voices for your current synthesizer. Each voice has distinct characteristics:

  * **Microsoft voices:** Natural-sounding, available in Windows
  * **eSpeak NG voices:** Fast, responsive, many languages
  * **Third-party voices:** Premium voices with advanced features

  Use arrow keys to preview voices as you navigate the list.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Variant">
  For eSpeak NG, select voice variants:

  * Male variants
  * Female variants
  * Specialized variants (different timbres)

  Variants provide slight modifications to the base voice characteristics.
</Accordion>

#### Speech Parameters

| Parameter      | Range | Default | Description                             |
| -------------- | ----- | ------- | --------------------------------------- |
| **Rate**       | 0-100 | 50      | Speech speed (0=slowest, 100=fastest)   |
| **Pitch**      | 0-100 | 50      | Voice pitch (0=lowest, 100=highest)     |
| **Volume**     | 0-100 | 100     | Speech volume (0=quietest, 100=loudest) |
| **Inflection** | 0-100 | 75      | Pitch variation in speech               |

<Note>
  The Rate boost option can significantly increase speech rate beyond 100 if supported by your synthesizer.
</Note>

#### Capital Letters Announcement

NVDA offers three ways to indicate capital letters:

<Accordion title="Pitch Change">
  **Capital pitch change percentage:** -100 to +100

  NVDA raises or lowers pitch for capital letters. Positive values raise pitch, negative values lower it. Set to 0 to disable.

  **Example:** Setting 30 raises pitch by 30% for capitals.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Say Cap Before">
  **Say "cap" before capitals:** Checkbox

  NVDA speaks the word "cap" before each capital letter when spelling.

  **Best for:** Individual character spelling
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Beep for Capitals">
  **Beep for capitals:** Checkbox

  NVDA plays a short beep when encountering capital letters.

  **Best for:** Quick scanning of text
</Accordion>

### Punctuation and Symbol Level

**Quick change:** Press `NVDA+P`

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="None" icon="minus">
    Only pauses for periods and commas
  </Card>

  <Card title="Some" icon="grip-lines">
    Common symbols: @, #, \$, %, &, \*, etc.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Most" icon="bars">
    Nearly all punctuation marks
  </Card>

  <Card title="All" icon="list">
    Every symbol spoken as words
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  Set punctuation level to "All" when programming or reviewing code to hear every character.
</Tip>

### Language Switching

#### Automatic Language Switching

When enabled, NVDA automatically switches to the appropriate synthesizer language when reading text that specifies its language.

**Settings:**

* **Automatic Language switching:** Enable/disable language detection
* **Automatic Dialect switching:** Switch between dialects (e.g., US/UK English)
* **Report language changes:** Announce when language changes

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Auto-Switching">
    In Speech Settings, check "Automatic Language switching"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Reporting">
    Choose whether to announce language changes as you read
  </Step>

  <Step title="Handle Unsupported Languages">
    Set behavior when encountering unsupported languages (speech/beep/off)
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Speech Modes

Cycle through modes with `NVDA+S`:

<Accordion title="Talk Mode (Default)">
  NVDA speaks normally:

  * Announces screen changes
  * Reports focus movements
  * Reads text as you navigate
  * Provides notifications

  **Use when:** Normal screen reader operation
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="On-demand Mode">
  NVDA only speaks when you explicitly request information:

  * No automatic announcements
  * Commands like `NVDA+T` still work
  * Silent focus movements

  **Use when:**

  * Recording audio
  * In meetings or calls
  * You need constant focus without interruption
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Off Mode">
  NVDA doesn't speak but remains responsive:

  * Completely silent
  * All commands still function
  * Braille continues working

  **Use when:** Using braille exclusively
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Beeps Mode">
  NVDA replaces speech with beeps:

  * Short beeps for output
  * Indicates activity without speech
  * Useful for monitoring scrolling content

  **Use when:** You need to know something is happening but don't need details
</Accordion>

### Synth Settings Ring

Quickly adjust settings without opening menus:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate Settings">
    **Next setting:** `NVDA+Control+Right Arrow`\
    **Previous setting:** `NVDA+Control+Left Arrow`

    NVDA announces the current setting name.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust Value">
    **Increase:** `NVDA+Control+Up Arrow`\
    **Decrease:** `NVDA+Control+Down Arrow`

    NVDA announces the new value.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Large Adjustments">
    **Jump up:** `NVDA+Control+Page Up`\
    **Jump down:** `NVDA+Control+Page Down`

    Changes values in larger increments (20 voices or 20% for sliders).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Braille Support

NVDA supports over 100 braille displays and uses LibLouis for translation.

### Setting Up a Braille Display

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect Display">
    Connect your braille display via USB, Bluetooth, or serial port
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Braille Settings">
    Press `NVDA+Control+A` or navigate to Preferences > Settings > Braille
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Display">
    Click "Change" and choose your display. "Automatic" detects most USB/Bluetooth displays.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Display">
    Choose braille tables, cursor settings, and other options
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Most modern braille displays work automatically when you select "Automatic detection" in the braille display settings.
</Note>

### Braille Display Types

**Supported displays include:**

* Freedom Scientific (Focus, PAC Mate)
* Humanware (Brailliant, BrailleNote)
* HIMS (Braille Sense, Smart Beetle)
* Handy Tech displays
* Papenmeier displays
* Baum/VarioConnect displays
* Alva displays
* Eurobraille displays
* And many more...

<Tip>
  Check the NVDA user guide's "Supported Braille Displays" section for specific model support and features.
</Tip>

### Braille Tables

#### Output Table

Determines how text is converted to braille:

**Types:**

* **Grade 1 (Uncontracted):** Letter-for-letter translation
* **Grade 2 (Contracted):** Shortened forms using contractions
* **Computer braille:** 8-dot display of characters
* **Language-specific tables:** Optimized for specific languages

**Setting:** `Automatic` selects based on NVDA's current language

#### Input Table

Determines how braille keyboard input is interpreted:

* Must match your expected input style
* Only relevant for displays with braille keyboards
* Supports multiple grade levels

### Braille Mode

**Toggle:** `NVDA+Alt+T`

<Accordion title="Follow Cursors">
  Braille displays what's at the cursor:

  * System focus/caret content
  * Navigator object/review cursor content
  * Follows tether setting

  **Best for:** Standard screen reader use
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Display Speech Output">
  Braille shows what NVDA speaks:

  * Mirrors speech output
  * Useful for demonstration
  * Helpful when speech is interrupted

  **Best for:** Teaching, presentations, noisy environments
</Accordion>

### Braille Tethering

**Quick change:** `NVDA+Control+T`

Controls what braille follows:

| Mode              | Behavior                                                                           |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Focus**         | Follows system focus and caret only                                                |
| **Review**        | Follows navigator object and review cursor only                                    |
| **Automatically** | Follows focus by default, temporarily switches to review when you navigate objects |

<Info>
  Automatic tethering provides the best of both worlds: follows focus normally but switches when you explicitly explore with object navigation.
</Info>

### Braille Cursor Settings

#### Show Cursor

Enable/disable the braille cursor (dots 7 and 8).

**Options:**

* Show cursor (default)
* Hide cursor

#### Blink Cursor

Make the braille cursor blink for visibility.

**Settings:**

* Blink rate in milliseconds
* Blinking on/off

#### Cursor Shape

Customize cursor appearance:

* **Focus cursor:** Shape when braille follows focus
* **Review cursor:** Shape when braille follows review

**Dot patterns:** Any combination of dots 1-8

### Braille Messages

Control how NVDA displays temporary messages:

**Show messages:**

* Use timeout (disappear automatically)
* No timeout (stay until dismissed)
* No messages (never show on braille)

**Message timeout:** Set duration in seconds

<Note>
  Pressing a routing key dismisses the message immediately.
</Note>

### Advanced Braille Features

#### Expand to Computer Braille

The word under the cursor displays in 8-dot computer braille for precise character inspection.

#### Read by Paragraph

When enabled, braille pans by paragraph instead of line:

* Reduces frequent panning
* Better context when reading
* More natural reading flow

#### Move System Caret When Routing

Controls whether routing keys move the system cursor:

* **Never:** Routing only moves review cursor
* **Always:** Routing moves both review and system cursor
* **Only when tethered automatically:** Conditional behavior

### Braille Input

For displays with braille keyboards:

<Accordion title="Standard Braille Input">
  Type using the Perkins-style keyboard:

  * Dots 1-6 for standard braille
  * Dot 7 chord for uppercase
  * Dot 8 for special functions
  * Space bar confirms entry

  **Input table** determines interpretation.
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Common Chords">
  Special character combinations:

  * **Backspace:** Dot 7
  * **Enter:** Dot 8
  * **Tab:** Dots 4-5
  * **Escape:** Dots 1-5
  * **Arrow keys:** Various dot combinations
</Accordion>

## Combining Speech and Braille

Use both simultaneously for optimal access:

### Benefits of Dual Output

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Speed" icon="gauge-high">
    Skim with speech, review details in braille
  </Card>

  <Card title="Accuracy" icon="check">
    Verify spelling and formatting with braille
  </Card>

  <Card title="Learning" icon="graduation-cap">
    Improve literacy by seeing and hearing simultaneously
  </Card>

  <Card title="Environment" icon="volume-off">
    Use braille in quiet settings, speech when mobile
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Synchronized Navigation

Speech and braille stay synchronized:

* Navigate with keyboard: Both update
* Use routing keys: Speech announces position
* Braille pans: Speech reads new content
* Change focus: Braille follows immediately

## Audio Enhancements

### Audio Ducking

NVDA can lower volume of other applications when speaking:

**Settings:**

* Duck audio (enabled by default on Windows 8+)
* Duck when outputting speech and sounds
* Always duck audio

<Warning>
  Audio ducking is not available in portable copies of NVDA.
</Warning>

### Audio Output Device

Choose which device NVDA uses for audio:

* Default system device
* Specific sound card
* Separate device for NVDA

### WASAPI

Windows Audio Session API improves performance:

**Benefits:**

* Better responsiveness
* Improved timing
* Lower latency

**Note:** Only available for SAPI 5 voices

## Customizing Pronunciation

Adjust how NVDA speaks symbols and words:

### Symbol Pronunciation

**Access:** NVDA Menu > Preferences > Punctuation/Symbol Pronunciation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select Symbol">
    Choose a symbol from the list or add a new one
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Replacement">
    Enter how NVDA should speak the symbol
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Level">
    Choose punctuation level: None, Some, Most, or All
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preserve Voice">
    Optionally send actual symbol to synthesizer
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Examples:**

* Speak "@" as "at" instead of "at sign"
* Pronounce "#" as "number" instead of "pound"
* Silence certain symbols entirely

### Speech Dictionaries

Create custom word pronunciations:

**Three dictionary types:**

<Accordion title="Default Dictionary">
  Applies to all voices:

  * Company names
  * Technical terms
  * Acronyms

  **Use for:** Universal corrections
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Voice Dictionary">
  Applies to current synthesizer voice:

  * Voice-specific corrections
  * Per-voice preferences

  **Use for:** Issues with specific voices
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Temporary Dictionary">
  Active until NVDA restarts:

  * Quick fixes
  * Testing pronunciations

  **Use for:** Temporary adjustments
</Accordion>

### Dictionary Patterns

**Pattern types:**

* **Anywhere:** Matches within words
* **Whole word:** Matches complete words only
* **Regular expression:** Advanced pattern matching

<Tip>
  Use regular expressions for powerful pattern-based replacements like changing all instances of specific formats.
</Tip>

## Troubleshooting

### Speech Issues

<Accordion title="Speech Stops Working">
  **Solutions:**

  1. Press `Control` to stop speech, then try again
  2. Press `NVDA+Control+S` and reselect synthesizer
  3. Check speech mode with `NVDA+S`
  4. Restart NVDA
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Wrong Language">
  **Solutions:**

  1. Check automatic language switching setting
  2. Verify document language metadata
  3. Manually select voice in correct language
  4. Disable automatic switching if problematic
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Pronunciation Problems">
  **Solutions:**

  1. Add entry to speech dictionary
  2. Adjust symbol pronunciation
  3. Try different voice/synthesizer
  4. Disable "Trust voice's language" setting
</Accordion>

### Braille Issues

<Accordion title="Display Not Detected">
  **Solutions:**

  1. Verify USB/Bluetooth connection
  2. Try manual display selection
  3. Install display drivers if required
  4. Check display power and batteries
  5. Restart NVDA after connecting
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Wrong Braille Output">
  **Solutions:**

  1. Verify output table selection
  2. Check language setting
  3. Ensure correct grade (contracted/uncontracted)
  4. Try computer braille for debugging
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Input Not Working">
  **Solutions:**

  1. Verify display has input capability
  2. Check input table setting
  3. Ensure braille keyboard is active on display
  4. Test with simple characters first
</Accordion>