How to build a simple text to speech tool using Python

Hello, Python enthusiasts! I am Jonathan Izuchukwu known to many as SunshineIHCTS, and today I will walk you through the world of converting text to speech using the Python programming language. My tool of choice for building a simple text to speech tool is the pyttsx3 library. Follow along as I guide you through the process of installing the library, writing the code, and transforming written text into spoken words.

Installing the pyttsx3 Library

First things first, let us install the pyttsx3 library. Open your terminal and execute the following command: pip install pyttsx3 If you have already installed it, you will see a message saying "Requirement already satisfied."

Importing the Library

Now that we have our library installed, let us import it into our Python script. Add the following line to your code: import pyttsx3 This line ensures that we can use the functionality provided by pyttsx3 in our program.

Initializing the Library

Next, let us initialize the pyttsx3 library. Create a variable, text_speech, and assign the initialized library to it: text_speech = pyttsx3.init() This step is crucial as it sets up the library for use throughout our program.

Taking User Input

Now, let us get some input from the user. We will use the input function to prompt the user for the text they want to convert into speech: user_input = input("Enter the text you want to convert to speech: ") The entered text will be stored in the variable user_input.

Converting Text to Speech

It is showtime! Utilize the say function to convert the text into speech. Add the following line to your code: text_speech.say(user_input) This line tells the library to speak the contents of user_input.

Running the Program

Lastly, to execute the program and hear the magic happen, add the following line: text_speech.runAndWait() This line ensures that the program runs, and after speaking the text, it exits accordingly.

Putting It All Together

Let me put the complete Python script for your easy access:

import pyttsx3

text_speech = pyttsx3.init()

user_input = input("Enter the text you want to convert to speech: ")

text_speech.say(user_input)
text_speech.runAndWait()

Testing the Program

Now, run your program. Enter a text when prompted, and witness the conversion from text to speech as I ealier explained.Example: Enter the text you want to convert to speech: Hello, this is a test. 

Wow! you have just created a simple program to convert text to speech using Python. Feel free to explore more advanced features and options offered by the pyttsx3 library for a richer experience and share your contributions in the comments section below.

Note: The tutorial demonstrates a basic way to convert text to speech. There are alternative methods, such as using text files, which are slightly more advanced and I will be walking you through it in  a future article so stay tuned.

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