The Most Common Pronunciation Errors in TTS (Based on Real Tests)

The article examines common pronunciation errors in text-to-speech (TTS) systems, specifically identifying five main categories of errors: homograph disambiguation, alphanumeric entity pronunciation, number format interpretation, proper name and foreign word pronunciation, and acronym handling. These errors can lead to costly human escalations in enterprise contact centers, with potential preventable costs reaching up to $2.16 million annually. The text outlines testing methodologies and fixes for each error category, emphasizing the use of SSML, lexicons, and entity-aware processing to enhance pronunciation control. It highlights the importance of systematic pronunciation management, suggesting the creation of domain-specific pronunciation libraries and integrating automated testing into deployment pipelines. Furthermore, the article stresses the need for continuous monitoring and updating of pronunciation rules based on production errors, and recommends prioritizing fixes for high-frequency, high-impact errors to maintain customer trust and reduce operational costs.