Speech synthesizer based on time domain syllable concatenation

Abstract

In [2] we have presented a subsystem for text-to-speech (TTS) conversion for macedonian language as a part of a system for support of humans with damaged eyesight [1]. In this paper we present the speech synthesizer which is part of the TTS conversion subsystem. It's based on timedomain syllable concatenation. A novel module for duration and fundamental frequency (F0) modification is introduced and discussed. We believe that the architecture presented is well suited to the nature of macedonian language, and fits well with prerequisites for real-time operation on a standard, of-the-shelf hardware. The prototype containing inventory of 1275 syllables and implementing modules for duration and F0 modification was built and tested. The preliminary tests concerning the eligibility of the synthesized speech are most encouraging.