How to use Ondoku's dictionary function and points to note. Make it more convenient by registering adjusted intonation.

Hello, thank you for always using Ondoku.

In this article, we will introduce how to use the "Dictionary" function.

The dictionary function is located in the menu bar. Clicking "Dictionary" in the menu bar will link you to the dictionary page.

The dictionary function is only displayed when you are logged in.

Only registered members can use this function.

How to use the Ondoku Dictionary

Using the dictionary is very simple.

However, this function is only available to registered members.

Please make sure to use it while logged in.

Registering a new word

1. Click Dictionary in the menu bar
2. Click the Register button on the Dictionary page
   
3. Enter the word you want to convert in the Word field
4. Enter the reading of the word you want to convert in hiragana or katakana in the Reading field
5. Once entered, click Register

This completes the new dictionary registration.

Editing the dictionary

1. Click Dictionary in the menu bar
2. Click Edit for the word you want to modify
3. Correct the parts you want to edit
4. Click Register

This completes the dictionary editing.

Points to note when using the Ondoku dictionary function

When using the dictionary function, there are several points that require attention.

1. Languages supported by the dictionary function: The supported language is only for Japanese reading. For other languages, registering in the dictionary function will be invalid.
2. Dictionary registration of symbols causes errors: Registering symbols used in SSML (Speech Synthesis Markup Language), such as <　>　=, will cause errors and may prevent text-to-speech from functioning. Please do not register symbols in the dictionary.
3. Reading aloud immediately after dictionary registration: When reading the exact same text after registering a word in the dictionary, please delete the past history. This is explained in detail below.

Points to note regarding reading aloud immediately after dictionary registration

"I registered it in the dictionary, but the reading hasn't been fixed!"

Has this ever happened to you?

Actually, Ondoku uses a unique system that allows you to call up audio from your past reading history if it is "something you have read before (settings/text)".

Therefore, if it is "something you have read before (settings/text)", the character count will not be counted.

This is a function to prevent unnecessary consumption of the character count.

However, even after dictionary registration, if it is "something you have read before (settings/text)", the audio will be called up from your past reading history.

In other words, the audio from before the dictionary registration will be played back again, resulting in "I registered it in the dictionary, but the reading hasn't been fixed!".

1. Change the text to be read by at least one character (such as adding an extra punctuation mark)
2. Delete past reading data from the history

By doing this, new audio data will be created, and you will be able to experience reading where the dictionary function is effective.

User dictionary function is essential for reading Japanese text

Let's talk a bit about technical matters.

In Japanese, Kanji are ideograms. Japanese Hiragana and Katakana are phonograms.

Japanese is one of the rare languages where phonograms and ideograms are mixed together.

First,
What is an ideogram (hyoimoji)?

A classification of characters. Characters where each individual character has a specific meaning. Examples include Kanji and ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Also called logograms.
Source: goo Dictionary

Therefore, even for the same Kanji, there are many cases where the reading differs depending on the flow of the sentence or the phrase.

Example:
The readings for "生" are as follows:
On-yomi: "セイ" "ショウ"
Kun-yomi: "いきる" "いかす" "いける" "うまれる" "うむ" "おう" "はえる" "はやす" "き" "なま"

The readings for "下" are as follows:
On-yomi: "カ" "ゲ"
Kun-yomi: "した" "しも" "もと" "さげる" "さがる" "くだる" "くだす" "くださる" "おろす" "おりる"
Source: Kanji Dictionary

This is a very difficult task for text-to-speech software.

While it converts to audio after predicting to some extent using algorithms, it is not perfect and errors can occur.

In contrast, the alphabets used in English and other languages are phonograms, not ideograms.

What is a phonogram (hyoonmoji)?

A classification of characters. Characters where each individual character does not have a meaning but represents only a sound. Examples include Kana, Roman letters, and Sanskrit characters. There are syllabic characters and phonemic characters. Also called phonetic characters.
Source: goo Dictionary

In the case of phonograms, text-to-speech software simply needs to read them as they are, so there is less trouble compared to Japanese.

Since it can just read exactly what is written, there are almost no situations where a dictionary is needed.

Japanese is, in a sense, a language that is a headache for text-to-speech software developers.

However, with the newly added dictionary function, misreadings and inconveniences can be solved all at once!

Please try using this convenient dictionary function!

You can listen to Japanese audio samples here.

Please take a look at them as well.

Listen to 16 types of voices from the text-to-speech software Ondoku for free. Change impressions with pitch adjustments | Text-to-speech software Ondoku

Ondoku has 16 types of Japanese voices. Of course, both male and female voices are available. We have made it possible to listen to 8 types of commonly used Japanese voices and how they sound when the pitch of each voice is adjusted.

This dictionary function is currently available only for Japanese. It cannot be used with other languages.

When you switch the site's display language, the word "Dictionary" will disappear from the menu bar.

We will continue to make improvements so that Ondoku remains the best text-to-speech software for you.

Thank you for your continued support of Ondoku.

■ AI voice synthesis software "Ondoku"

"Ondoku" is an online text-to-speech tool that can be used with no initial costs.

• Supports approximately 50 languages, including Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and German
• Available from both PC and smartphone
• Suitable for business, education, entertainment, etc.
• No installation required, can be used immediately from your browser
• Supports reading from images

To use it, simply enter text or upload a file on the site. A natural-sounding audio file will be generated within seconds. You can use voice synthesis up to 5,000 characters for free, so please give it a try.

Text-to-speech software "Ondoku" can read out 5000 characters every month with AI voice for free. You can easily download MP3s and commercial use is also possible. If you sign up for free, you can convert up to 5,000 characters per month for free from text to speech. Try Ondoku now.

HP: ondoku3.com
Email: ondoku3.com@gmail.com