As part of its localisation programme, Microsoft India is on the verge of introducing Vaachak, its text-to-speech software for Indian languages. Developed by the Lucknow-based company Prologix Software Solutions, the software is targeted at the non-English speaking and physically-challenged population. Though text-to-speech technology is available in the English language, this software would help in integrating any Indian language written in the Devnagari script. To start with, the company plans to introduce it in Hindi and thereafter have Gujarati, Marathi and Bengali versions as well.

The software basically converts electronic text into speech, so that the user can listen to the text. Vaachak is one of the first text-to-speech synthesisers that have the capability to recognise Unicode Hindi text and render it into clear, intelligible speech.

Vaachak is expected to further boost Microsoft’s localisation efforts. Commenting on the tie-up with Prologix, Raveesh Gupta, program manager of Microsoft India said, “The tie-up not only strengthens Microsoft’s localisation efforts, but also brings an interesting application to the market.” Prologix is a part of Microsoft’s initiative to support Indian independent software vendors (ISVs).

According to Gupta, one of the main benefits of the product is that it is Instant Messenger (IM)- and Internet-enabled, and thus one can send messages which can be easily downloaded. The application can also run on the desktop environment, so that the individual can hear the contents of the e-mail or tally figures present in a worksheet.

The user can also automate presentations in Hindi, allowing text within text boxes, or PowerPoint notes to be read out during a presentation.

Besides this, it can also be used for automated systems and other telephone-based enquiry/ information services like land records queries, getting weather information, or even prices of groceries and other commodities.

The company is working on different pilot case studies, which will demonstrate the usage of Vaachak in different environments. To start with, the company is working on a pilot project with Prologix to integrate Vaachak at the cyber cafe of the National Association for the Blind (NAB), Mumbai.

Presently, a very small population of blind people in India are able to get the benefit of existing English text-to-speech technology. However, with this integration, more people can benefit by accessing local language content on the Internet, as well as from using the computer in a local language.

Next on the list is the expansion of Vaachak usage in the e-governance arena. Microsoft is in talks with two state governments for addressing local requirements like filling up forms or billing issues. “Through this, the individual can get any kind of e-governance application, land records, prices of commodities, etc, vocalised rather than being read out to him. This will help in improving efficiency, making people more independent and curtailing unnecessary expenses,” says Gupta.

While the company is all set to launch the IM or Internet-based applications, the NAB application will take some time.

“We hope to have a working implementation and integration of the multiple technologies very soon,” Gupta concluded.