Working with Dictation
To enter the Dictation mode, simply say:
Start Dictation.
When you are done, say:
Stop Dictation.
To see a list of the commands below, say:
Show Commands.
Dictation Commands
The corresponding dictation commands are:
Dictation
Start Dictation
Stop Dictation
Standby
Resume
Train Word
Show Commands
Editing
Delete that Phrase
Delete that Text
Delete Last Phrase
Delete Last Text
Strike that Phrase
Delete Last Word
Edit Copy
Edit Paste
New Line (inserts a line)
Next Line (inserts a line)
New Paragraph (inserts 2 lines)
Next Paragraph (inserts 2 lines)
Select All
Delete Key
Backspace Key
Navigation
Beginning of Document
Beginning of Line
End of Document
End of Line
Punctuation Marks
When in dictation mode, you may speak the punctuation marks. The Microsoft SAPI speech engine will recognize the following:
| . | Period or dot |
| , | Comma |
| : | Colon |
| ; | Semi-colon |
| ? | Question mark |
| ! | Exclamation point |
| & | Ampersand |
| * | Asterisk |
| @ | At sign or at |
| \ | Backslash |
| / | Slash |
| | | Vertical bar |
| - | Hyphen or dash |
| -- | Double dash |
| = | Equals |
| # | Pound sign |
| % | Percent or percent sign |
| $ | Dollar sign |
| _ | Underscore |
| ~ | Tilde |
| ... | Ellipsis |
| > | Greater than |
| < | Less than |
| ^ | Caret |
| [ | Open bracket |
| ] | Right bracket |
| { | Open brace |
| } | Close brace |
| " | Quote |
| ' | Single quote |
Using the Keyboard with Dictation
You can also program a key on the keyboard to activate/toggle the dictation mode. The use of a key in this manner can allow you to quickly change from command to dictation mode and back without having to issue a verbal command.
Activating Dictation using your Voice
You can also program voice commands to activate/toggle the dictation mode. You can assign a command phrase as well as the computer's audible response for both the 'starting' and 'stopping' of dictation.
Help. The computer isn't typing the right word.
You can train the computer to recognize the sounds of individual words. When in Dictation mode, say:
Train Word. A Microsoft SAPI dialog will appear allowing you to add/edit words in your user Lexicon (i.e., the database that stores individual words and sounds). After you type the word in the box, press the "Record Pronounciation" button and say the word. You may have to repeat this step several times while the computer records different samples of the way the word sounds. Once it has been accepted by the computer, the word will be added to the list below indicating that it is in your Lexicon.
Important Things to Consider in Dictation
If you are new to dictation, it may help to begin by using notes or handwritten ideas. These aids will help you to gather your thoughts before speaking. With practice, you should get better at dictating to a machine and maybecome very good at dictating without the use of printed materials.
When dictating, try not to look at the computer screen since this may distract you from your thoughts and cause you to loose concentration. The computer will attempt to transcribe everything you say. So, make sure you think about it first before saying it.
Pronounciation
Speak in a clear voice and pronounce each word. Speech recognition software is not perfect and may make mistakes in the translation of your voice.
Achieving Good Recognition Accuracy
- Use a noise cancelling microphone
- Use a digital microphone instead of an analog one
- Make sure background noise is at a minimum
- Perform the voice training / user enrollment
- Practice at first by reading from a printed source (e.g., newspaper)
- Speak clearly and slowly
- Think about what you want to say before you say it
- Train individual words that are not recognized