Silverlight 4: Convert Text to Speech

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In this post, we will see how to use Silverlight and COM to convert text into speech. We will be using the  the ‘SAPI.SpVoice’ API. To start with, let’s create a Silverlight Project using Microsoft Expression Blend as shown below –

Let’s name the project as ‘TextToSpeechExample’ and click on ‘OK’ button. Now let’s design a screen as shown below –

In the above screen, I have taken four buttons and one Textblock. Replace the <Grid></Grid> with the following code –

Now import a namespace ‘using System.Runtime.InteropServices.Automation;’ and add a reference of ‘Microsoft.CSharp.dll’ file from the path – ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SDKs\Silverlight\v4.0\Libraries\Client’.

Now let’s write a code on each button click as shown below:

In the code shown above, we are using ‘SAPI.SpVoice’ API which brings text-to-speech (TTS) engine capabilities to applications using SAPI automation. In our demo, we are using a ‘Volume’ property and ‘Speak’ method which accepts text and converts it to Speech.

Now right click the Silverlight project and click on ‘Properties’. From the properties window check the checkbox – ‘Enable running application out of browser’ and click on the button below called ‘Out-Of-Browser settings’. This will show you a dialog box. Check the check box ‘Require evaluated trust when running outside the browser’ as shown below –

Now hit ‘F5’, right click the Silverlight application on the browser and install the application as shown below –

This brings up a security warning dialog box. Install the application and click the buttons. You will see that the text stories get converted to speech. Nice!

Download the source code

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