How to correct pronunciation of words and names in Speak Selection on Mac?

I write stories. And Speak Selection is incredibly helpful in helping me edit them. but it keeps pronouncing things the wrong way and... well it's just wrong. I'd like for a way to correct it.


Like I write 'Sheer Cheekiness' and then select and have it speak, but then it would pronounce it as 'SherChee kiness' -- Just why?! How!? These Are Two Very Different Words! Stop Combining Them and Read The English!!


There are also a couple of names that it keeps pronouncing wrong that I would be more than happy to fiddle with until it gets it right - But I can't find the place in settings where I can do that.


Please, if there is a way that I can do/fix this, then how do I do that?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: I need to change the way certain words and names are pronounced by speak selection in spoken Content, how do I do that?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.7

Posted on Jun 10, 2025 11:42 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 11, 2025 6:36 PM

Re: "I need to change the way certain words and names are pronounced by speak selection in spoken Content,

how do I do that?


For a Mac using MacOS "Big Sur" 11.7:

With pronunciation for spoken content, seems it may be worth experimenting with the array of different voices available, as some may work better for your work-situation than others.

Eg: See Apple Support's online article below:

For MacOS 11 "Big Sur" Change the voice your Mac uses to speak text - Apple Support

__________________________________________________

Re: "I can't find the place in settings where I can do that".


Seems there are no options for adjusting pronunciation of Spoken Content in earlier versions of MacOS.

However there are options when using the newest MacOS 15 Sequoia version if you have access to that.

(Please note: Also options if using "VoiceOver" instead : ie: more details right at the bottom)


ie: For MacOS 15 Sequoia: Change the voice your Mac uses to speak text - Apple Support

Eg says:

"You can change the voice your Mac uses to speak text that’s on the screen,

or

adjust how the voice sounds and how it pronounces certain words."

And to:

"Adjust how a voice sounds

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Accessibility  in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
  2. Click Spoken Content.
  3. Do any of the following:
    • Adjust the sound of the voice: Click  next to “System voice”, then adjust settings for the voice, such as how fast or loud it speaks. Click  to hear a sample.
    • Adjust how the voice pronounces certain words: Turn on Pronunciations, then click  to define a custom pronunciation. You can dictate or spell out how you want the word to be spoken."

_______________________________________________________

Re: if there is a way that I can do/fix this, then how do I do that?


Those who use "VoiceOver" instead of " Spoken Content > Speak Selection" to speak content have options for pronunciation. However VoiceOver — the screen reader built into macOS — may present quite a learning-curve in order to become familiar with using it.

Eg: For MacOS Big Sur 11: See how to: Use VoiceOver to read text on Mac - Apple Support

and to:

______ _________ Use VoiceOver to hear what you type on Mac - Apple Support

For pronunciation:

See: Pronunciation, Speech category, VoiceOver Utility on Mac - Apple Support

and

You can: Change how VoiceOver pronounces text and symbols on Mac - Apple Support

Similar questions

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 11, 2025 6:36 PM in response to TrinatyV

Re: "I need to change the way certain words and names are pronounced by speak selection in spoken Content,

how do I do that?


For a Mac using MacOS "Big Sur" 11.7:

With pronunciation for spoken content, seems it may be worth experimenting with the array of different voices available, as some may work better for your work-situation than others.

Eg: See Apple Support's online article below:

For MacOS 11 "Big Sur" Change the voice your Mac uses to speak text - Apple Support

__________________________________________________

Re: "I can't find the place in settings where I can do that".


Seems there are no options for adjusting pronunciation of Spoken Content in earlier versions of MacOS.

However there are options when using the newest MacOS 15 Sequoia version if you have access to that.

(Please note: Also options if using "VoiceOver" instead : ie: more details right at the bottom)


ie: For MacOS 15 Sequoia: Change the voice your Mac uses to speak text - Apple Support

Eg says:

"You can change the voice your Mac uses to speak text that’s on the screen,

or

adjust how the voice sounds and how it pronounces certain words."

And to:

"Adjust how a voice sounds

  1. On your Mac, choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Accessibility  in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)
  2. Click Spoken Content.
  3. Do any of the following:
    • Adjust the sound of the voice: Click  next to “System voice”, then adjust settings for the voice, such as how fast or loud it speaks. Click  to hear a sample.
    • Adjust how the voice pronounces certain words: Turn on Pronunciations, then click  to define a custom pronunciation. You can dictate or spell out how you want the word to be spoken."

_______________________________________________________

Re: if there is a way that I can do/fix this, then how do I do that?


Those who use "VoiceOver" instead of " Spoken Content > Speak Selection" to speak content have options for pronunciation. However VoiceOver — the screen reader built into macOS — may present quite a learning-curve in order to become familiar with using it.

Eg: For MacOS Big Sur 11: See how to: Use VoiceOver to read text on Mac - Apple Support

and to:

______ _________ Use VoiceOver to hear what you type on Mac - Apple Support

For pronunciation:

See: Pronunciation, Speech category, VoiceOver Utility on Mac - Apple Support

and

You can: Change how VoiceOver pronounces text and symbols on Mac - Apple Support

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How to correct pronunciation of words and names in Speak Selection on Mac?

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