Speech Recognition doesn't work correctly.

[patricia92243]

Windows has a built in speech recognition program. I can get it to take commands such as delete paragraph, etc, but when I try to dictate an email, it is complete gobbly-gook. I have used the thingy that is supposed to help the computer memorize my speech patterns, but it is not helping.

I am wondering if it is because I have such a heavy southern accent. When I say the word "hello" it says "ellen" or "allen." If I talk very slowly it will get one word in three correctly or not at all.

Is the Speech Recognition worthless and I should quit trying to use it? Anybody else use it successfully????

[ManiacJoe]

1. Heavy accents can confuse speech recognition algorithms.

My company uses voice to text software for its phone messages. An email gets sent with the WAV recording along with the "text". My mother's Maine Yankee accent usually results in fun gobbly-gook.

My understanding is that for dictation programs, calibration to your voice is required for good results. The free software with Windows is probably better than nothing, but you probably get what you pay for.

Based on the commercials, you might check out that "dragon" software.

[Melissa G]

2. I used to use dragon software

but I used it a lot when my voice was very tired sounding-early morning and late night. That started teaching the program bad habits.

[patricia92243]

3. You're right - I got what I paid for. Spent two hours getting it to say "hello" :)

[Mnpaul]

4. It could be a microphone problem as well

Last edited Sat Mar 16, 2013, 10:46 PM - Edit history (1)

You really need a good quality microphone. That little pinhole one on a laptop just isn't going to cut it. That is why Dragon includes one in their premium packages.

[patricia92243]

5. Tried Hubby's headset - didn't make one bit of difference. I still think it is my accent - I have

had this happen on business calls - one way to get to an operator fast when the machine can't understand me

[raccoon]

6. Probably is your accent. I have a Southern accent too--every time I take a trip people notice that

the minute I open my mouth.

Around the turn of the century, I bought Dragon dictate. It didn't work well with my accent, and I finally quit fooling
with it. It was not worth the trouble.

Newer versions of Dragon might work better.