Transcript - Phonetic Synthesizer Rules

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(Narrator) Phonetic Synthesizer Rules

This lesson uses WordPad for typing words and phrases during practice with the JAWS Dictionary Manager. If you do not have WordPad available please use Notepad for this practice. Why? JAWS already has dictionary rules for other apps, such as Microsoft Word, and there are none initially for WordPad or Notepad. In this lesson you learn to create JAWS Dictionary rules in a safe environment while in WordPad.

1. On my computer focus is on the Windows desktop. Press the WINDOWS Key to open the Start menu, and then type WordPad, followed by ENTER to launch the app.

(JAWS) Search box Edit, WordPad, App, Press right to switch preview, Document - WordPad, edit.

(N) 2. Once you have WordPad open, type in the following items, one item per line.
formaldehyde
Otis

3. Press UP ARROW to move through the items you just typed and listen to how JAWS pronounces them. The two examples are a chemical and a person's name.

Phonetic Rules

The most common way to change pronunciation is to spell the word phonetically and have JAWS read it that way. The example for how to do this follows:

1. Put your cursor within the word formaldehyde, and press INSERT+F2 to open the list of JAWS managers. Press D to move to Dictionary manager, and press ENTER to open it.

(J) Run JAWS Manager dialog, List1 List view, Commands Search, 1 of 17, Dictionary Manager. Document - WordPad, edit, contains text, New Dictionary dialog, File Name: Edit, wordpad.JDF, press CTRL+SHIFT+D to open the default Dictionary file.

2. (N) The first time the Dictionary manager opens, if no dictionary rules exist for the app, JAWS prompts you to create a new dictionary file. A new dictionary dialog box opens. The suggested file name, wordpad.jdf, is fine. Go ahead and press ENTER to accept that.

(J) Add... Button, Add Dictionary Definition dialog

(N) Dictionary manager opens. Notice the title is WordPad.JDF. Any rules you create in the dictionary now only take place whenever focus is in WordPad. The rules do not take place in other applications. That's fine for the purposes of this training. The focus is on the Add button.

NOTE: To make changes globally, in other words, so that dictionary rules apply in all applications, press CTRL+SHIFT+D to open the default Dictionary file. Alternatively, open the File menu for Dictionary manager and select Open Default File in the menu.

We are not going to do that now, however. We are going to keep WordPad.jdf open for this exercise.

3. Press SPACEBAR to activate the Add button. Focus moves to the Actual Word edit field where the word "formaldehyde" should already be filled in for you. That is because the cursor was within the word when you started Dictionary manager.

(J) Actual Word: Edit, Add Dictionary Definition dialog, formaldehyde.

4. (N) Press TAB to move to the Replacement Word edit field. Here is where you type a phonetic spelling so that JAWS pronounces it correctly.

(J) Replacement Word: Edit, formaldehyde.

5. (N) Experiment with a few different spellings. You can hear the way JAWS pronounces the word or phrase by pressing the Say Line keystroke, INSERT+UP ARROW. When you have typed a word or phrase that JAWS pronounces properly, press ENTER to close the Add Dictionary Definition dialog box.

Here are some suggested spellings, either phonetic or alternate, for the words above:
formaldehide
Owtis

(J) Add... Button

6. (N) For now, press ALT+F4 to close the JAWS Dictionary manager. Answer, "Yes," to save the changes. Then go back into WordPad and read the word formaldehyde and listen to hear if JAWS pronounces it correctly.

(J) Dictionary Manager dialog, Save changes to wordpad.jdf? Yes Button. Document, WordPad edit, contains text.

7. (N) Repeat this process for the other word listed above. Instead of pressing INSERT+F2 to open the list of JAWS managers, try using INSERT+D to do the same thing faster.

(J) Add button.

8. (N) I will press SPACEBAR on the Add button.

(J) Add dictionary definition dialog, Actual Word, Otis.

9. (N) TAB to the Replacement Word field.

(J) Replacement Word, edit.

10. (N) And type in a phonetic pronunciation.

(J) O w t i s

11. (N) TAB to the Replacement Word field.

(J) Replacement word, edit.

12. (N) And type in a phonetic pronunciation.

(J) O w t I s

13. (N) Say Line

(J) Replacement word, edit. Enter. Add button. Owtis.

14. (N) Press ALT+F4 to close Dictionary Manager and save the changes.

(J) ALT+F4, dictionary manager dialog. Save changes to WordPad.jdf? Yes button. Space. Edit document WordPad. Formaldehide. Owtis.

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