DETERMINATION OF PROBABLE LANGUAGE OF A GIVEN WORD

摘要

An apparatus and method for correctly pronouncing proper names from text using a computer provides a dictionary which performs an initial search for the name. If the name is not in the dictionary, it is sent to a filter which either positively identifies a single language group or eliminates one or more language groups as the language group of origin for that word. When the filter cannot positively identify the language group of origin for the name, a list of possible language groups is sent to a grapheme analyzer. Using grapheme analysis, the most probable language group of origin for the name is determined and sent to a language-sensitive letter-to-sound section. In this section, the name is compared with language-sensitive rules to provide accurate phonemics and stress information for the name. The phonemics (including stress information) are sent to a voice realization unit for audio output of the name.