TTS Meaning and Examples (A Technology Term)

Last updated on August 27, 2024 by Emma Grace

The acronym “TTS” stands for something that most people avoid using unless they absolutely have to. Most people’s experience with it is not positive. If you have recently encountered this acronym used online or in text messages and were wondering what it could possibly mean, then you have ventured to the right location.

In this piece, you will discover the definition for the term, details about its first usage, and alternative meanings. Readers can also find some example conversations that you can use to personally aid you in further understanding the meaning and how the term is used. 

TTS Meaning, Origin

What Does TTS Mean?

This term is frequently used online and in text messages to stand for “text to speech.” This is the title given to a program that allows a computer to convert a person speaking into words on a screen generated by the computer.

TTS Meaning
TTS Meaning – Created by 7ESL

Origin of “TTS”

The first “text to speech” program originated in 1968 in Japan. It was created by Noriko Umeda who worked for the Electrotechnical Laboratory. The program evolved over the years via computers first and then was integrated into cellphones for hands-free text messaging purposes.

Other Meanings of TTS

Like most acronyms, this one can represent other phrases, official titles, processes, etc. as well. Some things this term can also stand for are “Two Tier Scheduling,” “Teacher Training School,” “True To Size,” “Time To Service,” and “Tape Tracking System.”

TTS Examples 

In Texting

Here’s an example of a conversation that might utilize TTS:

(Person 1): Hey, are you on your way?
(Person 2 using TTS to respond): Yeah, I'm five minutes away, see you soon.
(Person 1): Great, drive safe!

By using TTS, Person 2 was able to respond without endangering themselves or others on the road.

In Social Posts

We often see TTS implemented in social posts, allowing users to listen to the content rather than reading it. For example, a Facebook post might have a TTS option for people who prefer to consume the information via audio. This not only makes the content more inclusive but also expands the potential reach of the post.

Take this tweet, for instance:

"Just saw the latest blockbuster movie and it blew my mind! The special effects were unreal. Has anyone else seen it? #moviereview #cinema"

By enabling TTS for this tweet, users can have the tweet read aloud to them, making it easier to engage with the content and participate in the conversation. As the use of TTS continues to expand, we can expect it to become a core part of the way we communicate in various contexts.

In Conversations

A text message conversation between mother and daughter.

  • Mother: You do know where are keys.
  • Daughter: What?
  • Mother: You know do where keys are.
  • Daughter: Wow mom, are you drunk?
  • Mother: OMG! No! This darn TTS never works! Do you know where my keys are?
  • Daughter: Lol! They are in my pocket. I will bring them down to you in just a minute.

Two Facebook users having an online conversation.

  • User 1: Never use TTS unless you want to explain yourself often.
  • User 2: LOL! That is so true! I cannot tell you how many times that thing has gotten me into trouble because it says I said something I never said.
  • User 1: HaHa! Same here. I avoid using it like the plague!

Related Terms to TTS

Speech synthesis: This term refers to the process of generating human-like speech from text or other data sources. TTS is a type of speech synthesis method, where systems use natural language modeling to create units of speech based on text input.

Speech recognition: While speech synthesis is focused on generating speech, speech recognition is the opposite process. It involves converting spoken language into text. Think of voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant – they use speech recognition to understand your voice commands and convert them into text data that can be processed further.

Assistive technology: TTS is commonly used in assistive technologies. These are tools designed to help people with disabilities, especially those who struggle with reading. The technology reads digital text aloud, making it easier for users to consume and understand the content without having to read it themselves.

Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP is a field of artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on the interaction between computers and human language. It involves understanding, interpreting, and generating human language in a way that is both meaningful and useful. TTS systems typically incorporate NLP techniques to ensure accurate and natural-sounding speech output.

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