Special inflection codes for TI Text to Speech—English

Special Inflection codes used by the TI Text-to-Speech disk program.

In general, the allophone code space is subdivided into two areas. The first one, ranging in numbers from 1 through 240, is the actual allophone range. Presently, only 126 of those 240 codes are actually used.

The second range, from 241 through 255, is used for special function codes. Each special function has up to two additional numbers associated with it. This appendix describes the codes currently used.

Inflection code 249

Secondary stress-point. Depending on the state the stringer is in, the stress-point will either be given the current vowel pitch level, and the vowel pitch will be incremented by a computed delta amount, or, after an upgoing primary stress-point, the stress-point will be raised one level above the current vowel pitch level, and the vowel pitch will be decremented by the computed delta amount.

Inflection code 250

Sentence break code. Resets parameters to default values given by SPEAK routine. This code is followed by two parameters: the number of secondary stress-points before and after the primary stress-point, respectively. If the primary stress-point is a rising (question mark) stress, the second parameter indicates the number of vowels after the primary stress-point. If the first parameter has either of the values 254 or 255, the second parameter will indicate the total number of vowels in the phrase. A value of 254 or 255 for the first parameter indicates that the entire phrase should have a rising or falling tendency respectively. This tendency is spread out over at least 8 vowels, and slopes over 15% as indicated by the slope parameter in the SPEAK call.

Inflection code 251

New default slope parameter. The number following this code indicates the new slope parameter to be used. As usual, the slope indicates 3 times the actual slope value, to allow for fractional values of the slope. Normally the slope parameter should be selected to be approximately 10% of the pitch parameter.

Inflection code 252

New default pitch parameter. The number following this parameter indicates the new default pitch level to be used. Notice that this pitch level is only valid for the current phrase. Permanent pitch level modifications have to be made using the parameters in the SPEAK routine.

Inflection code 253

Rising pitch contour. Used for question-type phrases at primary stress-point. Will cause the next allophone to be gradually raised in pitch, starting below the current default level, and ending above the current default level. If no vowels are following the primary stress-point, as indicated by the most recent 250 code, the allophone will be put at the standard pitch level, but along a gradually rising slope, starting at the current level (with the current stressed allophone), and rising to a higher level.

Taken from the Text to Speech disk manual.