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<!doctype html>
<html lang=en>
<head>
<title>CSS Speech Module</title>
<link href="https://www.w3.org/TR/2018/NOTE-css3-speech-20180206/"
rel=canonical>
<meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no" name="viewport">
<link href="http://purl.org/dc/terms/" rel=schema.dcterms>
<link href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/ipr-notice#Copyright"
rel=dcterms.rights>
<meta content="CSS Speech Module" name=dcterms.title>
<meta content=text name=dcterms.type>
<meta content=2018-02-06 name=dcterms.date>
<meta content="Daniel Weck" name=dcterms.creator>
<meta content=W3C name=dcterms.publisher>
<meta content="https://www.w3.org/TR/2018/NOTE-css3-speech-20180206/"
name=dcterms.identifier>
<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv=Content-Type>
<link href="../default.css" rel=stylesheet type="text/css">
<style type="text/css">
p
{
padding-bottom : 1em;
}
p + p
{
text-indent : 0;
}
*:target
{
border : 1px dashed #66CC66;
}</style><!--
.prod
{
font-family : inherit;
font-size : inherit
}
pre.prod
{
white-space : pre-wrap;
margin : 1em 0 1em 2em
}
code
{
font-size : inherit;
}
#box-shadow-samples td
{
background : white;
color : black;
}
caption
{
text-align : left;
font-weight : bold
}
.note
{
font-style : italic
}
.issue
{
color : maroon;
font-style : italic
}
div.example pre
{
color : green;
margin-left : 2em
}
dl
{
margin-left : 2em
}
caption dfn
{
font-size : 120%
}
-->
<link href="https://www.w3.org/StyleSheets/TR/2016/W3C-CR" rel="stylesheet">
<body>
<div class=head> <!--begin-logo-->
<p><a href="https://www.w3.org/"><img alt=W3C height=48
src="https://www.w3.org/StyleSheets/TR/2016/logos/W3C" width=72></a>
<!--end-logo-->
<h1 id=top>CSS Speech Module</h1>
<h2 class="no-num no-toc">W3C Candidate Recommendation 5 February 2020</h2>
<dl id=versions>
<dt>This version:
<dd>
<!--<a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/2018/WD-css3-speech-20180206/">https://www.w3.org/TR/2018/NOTE-css3-speech-20180206/</a>-->
<a
href="https://drafts.csswg.org/css-speech-1">https://drafts.csswg.org/css-speech-1</a>
<dt>Latest version:
<dd> <a
href="https://www.w3.org/TR/css-speech-1/">https://www.w3.org/TR/css-speech-1/</a>
<dt>Previous versions:
<dd> <a
href="https://www.w3.org/TR/2018/NOTE-css3-speech-20180605/">https://www.w3.org/TR/2018/NOTE-css3-speech-20180605/</a>
<dd> <a
href="https://www.w3.org/TR/2012/CR-css3-speech-20120320/">https://www.w3.org/TR/2012/CR-css3-speech-20120320/</a>
<dd> <a
href="https://www.w3.org/TR/2011/WD-css3-speech-20110818/">https://www.w3.org/TR/2011/WD-css3-speech-20110818/</a>
<dt>Feedback:
<dd><a
href="mailto:www-style@w3.org?subject=%5Bcss-speech%5D%20feedback">www-style@w3.org</a>
with subject line “<kbd>[css-speech] <var>… message topic
…</var></kbd>” (<a
href="http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-style/"
rel=discussion>archives</a>)
</dl>
<dl id=editors-list>
<dt>Editor:
<dd><a href="mailto:dweck@daisy.org">Daniel Weck</a> (<a
href="http://www.daisy.org">DAISY Consortium</a>)
<dt>Former editors:
<dd><a href="mailto:dsr@w3.org">Dave Raggett</a> (<a
href="http://www.w3.org/">W3C</a>/<a
href="http://www.canon.com/">Canon</a>)
<dd><a href="mailto:daniel@glazman.org">Daniel Glazman</a> (<a
href="http://www.disruptive-innovations.com/">Disruptive
Innovations</a>)
<dd><a href="mailto:csant@opera.com">Claudio Santambrogio</a> (<a
href="http://www.opera.com/">Opera Software</a>)
</dl>
<!--begin-copyright-->
<p class="copyright" data-fill-with="copyright"><a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/ipr-notice#Copyright">Copyright</a> © 2020 <a href="https://www.w3.org/"><abbr title="World Wide Web Consortium">W3C</abbr></a><sup>®</sup> (<a href="https://www.csail.mit.edu/"><abbr title="Massachusetts Institute of Technology">MIT</abbr></a>, <a href="https://www.ercim.eu/"><abbr title="European Research Consortium for Informatics and Mathematics">ERCIM</abbr></a>, <a href="https://www.keio.ac.jp/">Keio</a>, <a href="https://ev.buaa.edu.cn/">Beihang</a>). W3C <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/ipr-notice#Legal_Disclaimer">liability</a>, <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/ipr-notice#W3C_Trademarks">trademark</a> and <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/2015/copyright-software-and-document">permissive document license</a> rules apply. </p>
<!--end-copyright-->
<hr title="Separator for header">
</div>
<h2 class="no-num no-toc" id=abstract>Abstract</h2>
<p>CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is a language that describes the rendering
of markup documents (e.g. HTML, XML) on various supports, such as screen,
paper, speech, etc. The Speech module defines aural CSS properties that
enable authors to declaratively control the rendering of documents via
speech synthesis, and using optional audio cues. Note that this standard
was developed in cooperation with the <a
href="https://www.w3.org/Voice/">Voice Browser Activity</a>.
<h2 class="no-num no-toc" id=status>Status of this document</h2>
<!--begin-status-->
<p> <em>This section describes the status of this document at the time of its publication.
Other documents may supersede this document.
A list of current W3C publications and the latest revision of this technical report
can be found in the <a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/">W3C technical reports index at https://www.w3.org/TR/.</a></em> </p>
<p> This document was produced by the <a href="https://www.w3.org/Style/CSS/">CSS Working Group</a> as a Candidate Recommendation. This document is intended to become a W3C Recommendation.
This document will remain a Candidate Recommendation at least until <time class="status-deadline" datetime="2020-03-05">5 March 2020</time> in order
to ensure the opportunity for wide review. </p>
<p> <a href="https://github.com/w3c/csswg-drafts/issues">GitHub Issues</a> are preferred for discussion of this specification.
When filing an issue, please put the text “css-speech” in the title,
preferably like this:
“[css-speech] <i data-lt>…summary of comment…</i>”.
All issues and comments are <a href="https://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/public-css-archive/">archived</a>,
and there is also a <a href="https://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-style/">historical archive</a>. </p>
<p> Publication as a Candidate Recommendation does not imply endorsement by the W3C
Membership. This is a draft document and may be updated, replaced or
obsoleted by other documents at any time. It is inappropriate to cite this
document as other than work in progress. </p>
<p> This document was produced by a group operating under
the <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Patent-Policy/">W3C Patent Policy</a>.
W3C maintains a <a href="https://www.w3.org/2004/01/pp-impl/32061/status" rel="disclosure">public list of any patent disclosures</a> made in connection with the deliverables of the group;
that page also includes instructions for disclosing a patent.
An individual who has actual knowledge of a patent which the individual believes contains <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Patent-Policy/#def-essential">Essential Claim(s)</a> must disclose the information in accordance with <a href="https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Patent-Policy/#sec-Disclosure">section 6 of the W3C Patent Policy</a>. </p>
<p> This document is governed by the <a href="https://www.w3.org/2019/Process-20190301/" id="w3c_process_revision">1 March 2019 W3C Process Document</a>. </p>
<!--end-status-->
<!-- <h3 class="no-num no-toc" id="maturity">Maturity Level</h3> -->
<p> This document is based on the <a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/2012/CR-css3-speech-20120320/"
>Candidate Recommendation (20 March 2012)</a> and includes changes that reflect the outcome
of the <a href="http://wiki.csswg.org/spec/css3-speech">disposition of comments</a>. </p>
<p>Before the specification can progress to <a
href="https://www.w3.org/2019/Process-20190301/#rec-pr">Proposed
Recommendation,</a> the <a href="#exit">CR exit criteria</a> must be met.
The specification will not become Proposed Recommendation before 5 March 2020.
A test suite and an implementation report will be made
during the Candidate Recommendation period.
<p id=at-risk>The following features are at-risk and may be dropped at the
end of the Candidate Recommendation period if there has not been enough
interest from implementers: ‘<a href="#voice-balance"><code
class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’, ‘<a
href="#voice-duration"><code class=property>voice-duration</code></a>’,
‘<a href="#voice-pitch"><code class=property>voice-pitch</code></a>’,
‘<a href="#voice-range"><code class=property>voice-range</code></a>’,
and ‘<a href="#voice-stress"><code
class=property>voice-stress</code></a>’.
<nav id=toc>
<h2 class="no-num no-toc" id=contents>Table of contents</h2>
<!--begin-toc-->
<ul class=toc>
<li><a href="#intro"><span class=secno>1. </span>Introduction, design
goals</a>
<li><a href="#background"><span class=secno>2. </span>Background
information, CSS 2.1</a>
<li><a href="#ssml-rel"><span class=secno>3. </span>Relationship with
SSML</a>
<li><a href="#css-values"><span class=secno>4. </span>CSS values</a>
<li><a href="#example"><span class=secno>5. </span>Example</a>
<li><a href="#aural-model"><span class=secno>6. </span>The aural
formatting model</a>
<li><a href="#mixing-props"><span class=secno>7. </span>Mixing
properties</a>
<ul class=toc>
<li><a href="#mixing-props-voice-volume"><span class=secno>7.1.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>voice-volume</code>’ property</a>
<li><a href="#mixing-props-voice-balance"><span class=secno>7.2.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>voice-balance</code>’ property</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="#speaking-props"><span class=secno>8. </span>Speaking
properties</a>
<ul class=toc>
<li><a href="#speaking-props-speak"><span class=secno>8.1. </span>The
‘<code class=property>speak</code>’ property</a>
<li><a href="#speaking-props-speak-as"><span class=secno>8.2. </span>The
‘<code class=property>speak-as</code>’ property</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="#pause-props"><span class=secno>9. </span>Pause properties
</a>
<ul class=toc>
<li><a href="#pause-props-pause-before-after"><span class=secno>9.1.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>pause-before</code>’ and ‘<code
class=property>pause-after</code>’ properties</a>
<li><a href="#pause-props-pause"><span class=secno>9.2. </span>The
‘<code class=property>pause</code>’ shorthand property</a>
<li><a href="#collapsed-pauses"><span class=secno>9.3. </span>Collapsing
pauses</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="#rest-props"><span class=secno>10. </span>Rest properties</a>
<ul class=toc>
<li><a href="#rest-props-rest-before-after"><span class=secno>10.1.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>rest-before</code>’ and ‘<code
class=property>rest-after</code>’ properties</a>
<li><a href="#rest-props-rest"><span class=secno>10.2. </span>The
‘<code class=property>rest</code>’ shorthand property</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="#cue-props"><span class=secno>11. </span>Cue properties</a>
<ul class=toc>
<li><a href="#cue-props-cue-before-after"><span class=secno>11.1.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>cue-before</code>’ and ‘<code
class=property>cue-after</code>’ properties</a>
<li><a href="#cue-props-volume"><span class=secno>11.2. </span>Relation
between audio cues and speech synthesis volume levels</a>
<li><a href="#cue-props-cue"><span class=secno>11.3. </span>The ‘<code
class=property>cue</code>’ shorthand property</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="#voice-char-props"><span class=secno>12. </span>Voice
characteristic properties</a>
<ul class=toc>
<li><a href="#voice-props-voice-family"><span class=secno>12.1.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>voice-family</code>’ property</a>
<li><a href="#voice-props-voice-rate"><span class=secno>12.2. </span>The
‘<code class=property>voice-rate</code>’ property</a>
<li><a href="#voice-props-voice-pitch"><span class=secno>12.3.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>voice-pitch</code>’ property</a>
<li><a href="#voice-props-voice-range"><span class=secno>12.4.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>voice-range</code>’ property</a>
<li><a href="#voice-props-voice-stress"><span class=secno>12.5.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>voice-stress</code>’ property</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="#duration-props"><span class=secno>13. </span>Voice duration
property</a>
<ul class=toc>
<li><a href="#mixing-props-voice-duration"><span class=secno>13.1.
</span>The ‘<code class=property>voice-duration</code>’
property</a>
</ul>
<li><a href="#lists"><span class=secno>14. </span>List items and counters
styles</a>
<li><a href="#content"><span class=secno>15. </span>Inserted and replaced
content</a>
<li><a href="#pronunciation"><span class=secno>16. </span> Pronunciation,
phonemes </a>
<li class=no-num><a href="#property-index">Appendix A — Property
index</a>
<li class=no-num><a href="#index">Appendix B — Index</a>
<li class=no-num><a href="#definitions">Appendix C — Definitions</a>
<ul class=toc>
<li class=no-num><a href="#glossary">Glossary</a>
<li class=no-num><a href="#conformance">Conformance</a>
<li class=no-num><a href="#exit">CR exit criteria</a>
</ul>
<li class=no-num><a href="#ack">Appendix D — Acknowledgements</a>
<li class=no-num><a href="#changes">Appendix E — Changes</a>
<li class=no-num><a href="#references">Appendix F — References</a>
<ul class=toc>
<li class=no-num><a href="#normative-references">Normative
references</a>
<li class=no-num><a href="#other-references">Other references</a>
</ul>
</ul>
<!--end-toc--> </nav>
<h2 id=intro><span class=secno>1. </span>Introduction, design goals</h2>
<p class=note>Note that this section is informative.
<p>The aural presentation of information is commonly used by people who are
blind, visually-impaired or otherwise print-disabled. For instance,
"screen readers" allow users to interact with visual interfaces that would
otherwise be inaccessible to them. There are also circumstances in which
<em>listening</em> to content (as opposed to <em>reading</em>) is
preferred, or sometimes even required, irrespective of a person's physical
ability to access information. For instance: playing an e-book whilst
driving a vehicle, learning how to manipulate industrial and medical
devices, interacting with home entertainment systems, teaching young
children how to read.
<p> The CSS properties defined in the Speech module enable authors to
declaratively control the presentation of a document in the aural
dimension. The aural rendering of a document combines speech synthesis
(also known as "TTS", the acronym for "Text to Speech") and auditory icons
(which are referred-to as "audio cues" in this specification). The CSS
Speech properties provide the ability to control speech pitch and rate,
sound levels, TTS voices, etc. These stylesheet properties can be used
together with visual properties (mixed media), or as a complete aural
alternative to a visual presentation.
<h2 id=background><span class=secno>2. </span>Background information, CSS
2.1</h2>
<p class=note>Note that this section is informative.
<p> The CSS Speech module is a re-work of the informative CSS2.1 Aural
appendix, within which the "aural" media type was described, but also
deprecated (in favor of the "speech" media type). Although the <a
href="#ref-CSS21" rel=biblioentry>[CSS21]<!--{{!CSS21}}--></a>
specification reserves the "speech" media type, it doesn't actually define
the corresponding properties. The Speech module describes the CSS
properties that apply to the "speech" media type, and defines a new "box"
model specifically for the aural dimension.
<p> Content creators can conditionally include CSS properties dedicated to
user agents with text to speech synthesis capabilities, by specifying the
"speech" media type via the <code>media</code> attribute of the
<code>link</code> element, or with the <code>@media</code> at-rule, or
within an <code>@import</code> statement. When styles are authored within
the scope of such conditional statements, they are ignored by user agents
that do not support the Speech module.
<h2 id=ssml-rel><span class=secno>3. </span>Relationship with SSML</h2>
<p class=note>Note that this section is informative.
<p>Some of the features in this specification are conceptually similar to
functionality described in the Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML)
Version 1.1 <a href="#ref-SSML"
rel=biblioentry>[SSML]<!--{{!SSML}}--></a>. However, the specificities of
the CSS model mean that compatibility with SSML in terms of syntax and/or
semantics is only partially achievable. The definition of each property in
the Speech module includes informative statements, wherever necessary, to
clarify their relationship with similar functionality from SSML.
<h2 id=css-values><span class=secno>4. </span>CSS values</h2>
<p>This specification follows the <a
href="https://www.w3.org/TR/CSS21/about.html#property-defs">CSS property
definition conventions</a> from <a href="#ref-CSS2"
rel=biblioentry>[CSS2]<!--{{!CSS2}}--></a>. Value types not defined in
this specification are defined in CSS Values & Units <a
href="#ref-CSS-VALUES-3"
rel=biblioentry>[CSS-VALUES-3]<!--{{!CSS-VALUES-3}}--></a>. Other CSS
modules may expand the definitions of these value types.
<p>In addition to the property-specific values listed in their definitions,
all properties defined in this specification also accept the <a>CSS-wide
keywords</a> keywords as their property value. For readability they have
not been repeated explicitly.
<h2 id=example><span class=secno>5. </span>Example</h2>
<div class=example>
<p>This example shows how authors can tell the speech synthesizer to speak
HTML headings with a voice called "paul", using "moderate" emphasis
(which is more than normal) and how to insert an audio cue (pre-recorded
audio clip located at the given URL) before the start of TTS rendering
for each heading. In a stereo-capable sound system, paragraphs marked
with the CSS class "heidi" are rendered on the left audio channel (and
with a female voice, etc.), whilst the class "peter" corresponds to the
right channel (and to a male voice, etc.). The volume level of text spans
marked with the class "special" is lower than normal, and a prosodic
boundary is created by introducing a strong pause after it is spoken
(note how the <code>span</code> inherits the voice-family from its parent
paragraph).
<pre>
h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6
{
voice-family: paul;
voice-stress: moderate;
cue-before: url(../audio/ping.wav);
voice-volume: medium 6dB;
}
p.heidi
{
voice-family: female;
voice-balance: left;
voice-pitch: high;
voice-volume: -6dB;
}
p.peter
{
voice-family: male;
voice-balance: right;
voice-rate: fast;
}
span.special
{
voice-volume: soft;
pause-after: strong;
}
...
<h1>I am Paul, and I speak headings.</h1>
<p class="heidi">Hello, I am Heidi.</p>
<p class="peter">
<span class="special">Can you hear me ?</span>
I am Peter.
</p></pre>
</div>
<h2 id=aural-model><span class=secno>6. </span>The aural formatting model</h2>
<p>The CSS formatting model for aural media is based on a sequence of
sounds and silences that occur within a nested context similar to the <a
href="#box-model-def">visual box model</a>, which we name the <dfn
id=aural-box-model>aural "box" model</dfn>. The aural "canvas" consists of
a two-channel (stereo) space and of a temporal dimension, within which
synthetic speech and audio cues coexist. The selected element is
surrounded by ‘<a href="#rest"><code class=property>rest</code></a>’,
‘<a href="#cue"><code class=property>cue</code></a>’ and ‘<a
href="#pause"><code class=property>pause</code></a>’ properties (from
the innermost to the outermost position). These can be seen as aural
equivalents to ‘<code class=property>padding</code>’, ‘<code
class=property>border</code>’ and ‘<code
class=property>margin</code>’, respectively. When used, the ‘<code
class=css>:before</code>’ and ‘<code class=css>:after</code>’
pseudo-elements <a href="#ref-CSS21"
rel=biblioentry>[CSS21]<!--{{!CSS21}}--></a> get inserted between the
element's contents and the ‘<a href="#rest"><code
class=property>rest</code></a>’.
<p> The following diagram illustrates the equivalence between properties of
the visual and aural box models, applied to the selected <element>:
<p> <img
alt="The aural 'box' model, illustrated by a diagram: the selected element is positioned in the center, on its left side are (from innermost to outermost) rest-before, cue-before, pause-before, on its right side are (from innermost to outermost) rest-after, cue-after, pause-after, where rest is conceptually similar to padding, cue is similar to border, pause is similar to margin."
id=aural-box src=aural-box.png
title="The aural 'box' model, illustrated by a diagram: the selected element is positioned in the center, on its left side are (from innermost to outermost) rest-before, cue-before, pause-before, on its right side are (from innermost to outermost) rest-after, cue-after, pause-after, where rest is conceptually similar to padding, cue is similar to border, pause is similar to margin.">
<h2 id=mixing-props><span class=secno>7. </span>Mixing properties</h2>
<h3 id=mixing-props-voice-volume><span class=secno>7.1. </span>The ‘<a
href="#voice-volume"><code class=property>voice-volume</code></a>’
property</h3>
<table class=propdef summary="name: syntax">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name:
<td> <dfn id=voice-volume>voice-volume</dfn>
<tr>
<td> <em>Value:</em>
<td>silent | [[x-soft | soft | medium | loud | x-loud] ||
<decibel>]
<tr>
<td> <em>Initial:</em>
<td>medium
<tr>
<td> <em>Applies to:</em>
<td>all elements
<tr>
<td> <em>Inherited:</em>
<td>yes
<tr>
<td> <em>Percentages:</em>
<td>N/A
<tr>
<td> <em>Computed value:</em>
<td>‘<code class=property>silent</code>’, or a keyword value and
optionally also a decibel offset (if not zero)
</table>
<p>The ‘<a href="#voice-volume"><code
class=property>voice-volume</code></a>’ property allows authors to
control the amplitude of the audio waveform generated by the speech
synthesiser, and is also used to adjust the relative volume level of <a
href="#cue-props">audio cues</a> within the <a href="#aural-model">aural
box model</a> of the selected element.
<p class=note> Note that although the functionality provided by this
property is similar to the <a
href="https://www.w3.org/TR/speech-synthesis11/#edef_prosody"><code>volume</code>
attribute of the <code>prosody</code> element</a> from the SSML markup
language <a href="#ref-SSML" rel=biblioentry>[SSML]<!--{{!SSML}}--></a>,
there are notable discrepancies. For example, CSS Speech volume keywords
and decibels units are not mutually-exclusive, due to how values are
inherited and combined for selected elements.
<dl><!-- dt>
<strong>normal</strong>
</dt>
<dd>
<p> Corresponds to +0.0dB, which means that there is no modification of volume level. This
value overrides the inherited value.</p>
</dd -->
<dt> <strong>silent</strong>
<dd>
<p> Specifies that no sound is generated (the text is read "silently").
<p class=note> Note that this has the same effect as using negative
infinity decibels. Also note that there is a difference between an
element whose ‘<a href="#voice-volume"><code
class=property>voice-volume</code></a>’ property has a value of
‘<code class=property>silent</code>’, and an element whose ‘<a
href="#speak"><code class=property>speak</code></a>’ property has the
value ‘<code class=property>none</code>’. With the former, the
selected element takes up the same time as if it was spoken, including
any pause before and after the element, but no sound is generated
(descendants within the <a href="#aural-model">aural box model</a> of
the selected element can override the ‘<a href="#voice-volume"><code
class=property>voice-volume</code></a>’ value, and may therefore
generate audio output). With the latter, the selected element is not
rendered in the aural dimension and no time is allocated for playback
(descendants within the <a href="#aural-model">aural box model</a> of
the selected element can override the ‘<a href="#speak"><code
class=property>speak</code></a>’ value, and may therefore generate
audio output).
<dt><strong>x-soft</strong>, <strong>soft</strong>,
<strong>medium</strong>, <strong>loud</strong>, <strong>x-loud</strong>
<dd>
<p>This sequence of keywords corresponds to monotonically non-decreasing
volume levels, mapped to implementation-dependent values that meet the
listener's requirements with regards to perceived loudness. These audio
levels are typically provided via a preference mechanism that allow
users to calibrate sound options according to their auditory
environment. The keyword ‘<code class=property>x-soft</code>’ maps
to the user's <em>minimum audible</em> volume level, ‘<code
class=property>x-loud</code>’ maps to the user's <em>maximum
tolerable</em> volume level, ‘<code class=property>medium</code>’
maps to the user's <em>preferred</em> volume level, ‘<code
class=property>soft</code>’ and ‘<code class=property>loud</code>’
map to intermediary values.
<dt> <strong><decibel></strong>
<dd>
<p>A <a href="#number-def">number</a> immediately followed by "dB"
(decibel unit). This represents a change (positive or negative) relative
to the given keyword value (see enumeration above), or to the default
value for the root element, or otherwise to the inherited volume level
(which may itself be a combination of a keyword value and of a decibel
offset, in which case the decibel values are combined additively). When
the inherited volume level is ‘<code class=property>silent</code>’,
this ‘<a href="#voice-volume"><code
class=property>voice-volume</code></a>’ resolves to ‘<code
class=property>silent</code>’ too, regardless of the specified
<decibel> value. Decibels represent the ratio of the squares of
the new signal amplitude (a1) and the current amplitude (a0), as per the
following logarithmic equation: volume(dB) = 20 log10 (a1 / a0)
<p class=note> Note that -6.0dB is approximately half the amplitude of
the audio signal, and +6.0dB is approximately twice the amplitude.
</dl>
<p class=note>Note that perceived loudness depends on various factors, such
as the listening environment, user preferences or physical abilities. The
effective volume variation between ‘<code
class=property>x-soft</code>’ and ‘<code
class=property>x-loud</code>’ represents the dynamic range (in terms of
loudness) of the audio output. Typically, this range would be compressed
in a noisy context, i.e. the perceived loudness corresponding to ‘<code
class=property>x-soft</code>’ would effectively be closer to ‘<code
class=property>x-loud</code>’ than it would be in a quiet environment.
There may also be situations where both ‘<code
class=property>x-soft</code>’ and ‘<code
class=property>x-loud</code>’ would map to low volume levels, such as in
listening environments requiring discretion (e.g. library, night-reading).
<h3 id=mixing-props-voice-balance><span class=secno>7.2. </span>The ‘<a
href="#voice-balance"><code class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’
property</h3>
<table class=propdef summary="name: syntax">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name:
<td> <dfn id=voice-balance>voice-balance</dfn>
<tr>
<td> <em>Value:</em>
<td><number> | left | center | right | leftwards | rightwards
<tr>
<td> <em>Initial:</em>
<td>center
<tr>
<td> <em>Applies to:</em>
<td>all elements
<tr>
<td> <em>Inherited:</em>
<td>yes
<tr>
<td> <em>Percentages:</em>
<td>N/A
<tr>
<td> <em>Computed value:</em>
<td>the specified value resolved to a <number> between ‘<code
class=css>-100</code>’ and ‘<code class=css>100</code>’
(inclusive)
</table>
<p> The ‘<a href="#voice-balance"><code
class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’ property controls the spatial
distribution of audio output across a lateral sound stage: one extremity
is on the left, the other extremity is on the right hand side, relative to
the listener's position. Authors can specify intermediary steps between
left and right extremities, to represent the audio separation along the
resulting left-right axis.
<p class=note> Note that the functionality provided by this property has no
match in the SSML markup language <a href="#ref-SSML"
rel=biblioentry>[SSML]<!--{{!SSML}}--></a>.
<dl>
<dt> <strong><number></strong>
<dd>
<p>A <a href="#number-def">number</a> between ‘<code
class=css>-100</code>’ and ‘<code class=css>100</code>’
(inclusive). Values smaller than ‘<code class=css>-100</code>’ are
clamped to ‘<code class=css>-100</code>’. Values greater than
‘<code class=css>100</code>’ are clamped to ‘<code
class=css>100</code>’. The value ‘<code class=css>-100</code>’
represents the left side, and the value ‘<code class=css>100</code>’
represents the right side. The value ‘<code class=css>0</code>’
represents the center point whereby there is no discernible audio
separation between left and right sides (in a stereo sound system, this
corresponds to equal distribution of audio signals between left and
right speakers).
<dt> <strong>left</strong>
<dd>
<p>Same as ‘<code class=css>-100</code>’.
<dt> <strong>center</strong>
<dd>
<p>Same as ‘<code class=css>0</code>’.
<dt> <strong>right</strong>
<dd>
<p>Same as ‘<code class=css>100</code>’.
<dt> <strong>leftwards</strong>
<dd>
<p>Moves the sound to the left, by subtracting 20 from the inherited
‘<a href="#voice-balance"><code
class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’ value, and by clamping the
resulting number to ‘<code class=css>-100</code>’.
<dt> <strong>rightwards</strong>
<dd>
<p>Moves the sound to the right, by adding 20 to the inherited ‘<a
href="#voice-balance"><code class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’
value, and by clamping the resulting number to ‘<code
class=css>100</code>’.
</dl>
<p> user agents may be connected to different kinds of sound systems,
featuring varying audio mixing capabilities. The expected behavior for
mono, stereo, and surround sound systems is defined as follows:
<ul>
<li> When user agents produce audio via a mono-aural sound system (i.e.
single-speaker setup), the ‘<a href="#voice-balance"><code
class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’ property has no effect.
<li> When user agents produce audio through a stereo sound system (e.g.
two speakers, a pair of headphones), the left-right distribution of audio
signals can precisely match the authored values for the ‘<a
href="#voice-balance"><code class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’
property.
<li> When user agents are capable of mixing audio signals through more
than 2 channels (e.g. 5-speakers surround sound system, including a
dedicated center channel), the physical distribution of audio signals
resulting from the application of the ‘<a href="#voice-balance"><code
class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’ property should be performed
so that the listener perceives sound as if it was coming from a basic
stereo layout. For example, the center channel as well as the left/right
speakers may be used altogether in order to emulate the behavior of the
‘<code class=property>center</code>’ value.
</ul>
<p> Future revisions of the CSS Speech module may include support for
three-dimensional audio, which would effectively enable authors to specify
"azimuth" and "elevation" values. In the future, content authored using
the current specification may therefore be consumed by user agents which
are compliant with the version of CSS Speech that supports
three-dimensional audio. In order to prepare for this possibility, the
values enabled by the current ‘<a href="#voice-balance"><code
class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’ property are designed to remain
compatible with "azimuth" angles. More precisely, the mapping between the
current left-right audio axis (lateral sound stage) and the envisioned 360
degrees plane around the listener's position is defined as follows:
<ul>
<li>The value ‘<code class=css>0</code>’ maps to zero degrees
(‘<code class=property>center</code>’). This is in "front" of the
listener, not from "behind".
<li>The value ‘<code class=css>-100</code>’ maps to -40 degrees
(‘<code class=property>left</code>’). Negative angles are in the
counter-clockwise direction (the audio stage is seen from the top).
<li>The value ‘<code class=css>100</code>’ maps to 40 degrees
(‘<code class=property>right</code>’). Positive angles are in the
clockwise direction (the audio stage is seen from the top).
<li>Intermediary values on the scale from ‘<code
class=css>-100</code>’ to ‘<code class=css>100</code>’ map to the
angles between -40 and 40 degrees in a numerically linearly-proportional
manner. For example, ‘<code class=css>-50</code>’ maps to -20
degrees.
</ul>
<p class=note> Note that sound systems may be configured by users in such a
way that it would interfere with the left-right audio distribution
specified by document authors. Typically, the various "surround" modes
available in modern sound systems (including systems based on basic stereo
speakers) tend to greatly alter the perceived spatial arrangement of audio
signals. The illusion of a three-dimensional sound stage is often achieved
using a combination of phase shifting, digital delay, volume control
(channel mixing), and other techniques. Some users may even configure
their system to "downgrade" any rendered sound to a single mono channel,
in which case the effect of the ‘<a href="#voice-balance"><code
class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’ property would obviously not be
perceivable at all. The rendering fidelity of authored content is
therefore dependent on such user customizations, and the ‘<a
href="#voice-balance"><code class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’
property merely specifies the desired end-result.
<p class=note> Note that many speech synthesizers only generate mono sound,
and therefore do not intrinsically support the ‘<a
href="#voice-balance"><code class=property>voice-balance</code></a>’
property. The sound distribution along the left-right axis consequently
occurs at post-synthesis stage (when the speech-enabled user agent mixes
the various audio sources authored within the document)
<h2 id=speaking-props><span class=secno>8. </span>Speaking properties</h2>
<h3 id=speaking-props-speak><span class=secno>8.1. </span>The ‘<a
href="#speak"><code class=property>speak</code></a>’ property</h3>
<table class=propdef summary="name: syntax">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name:
<td> <dfn id=speak>speak</dfn>
<tr>
<td> <em>Value:</em>
<td>auto | never | always
<tr>
<td> <em>Initial:</em>
<td>auto
<tr>
<td> <em>Applies to:</em>
<td>all elements
<tr>
<td> <em>Inherited:</em>
<td>yes
<tr>
<td> <em>Percentages:</em>
<td>N/A
<tr>
<td> <em>Computed value:</em>
<td>specified value
</table>
<p>The ‘<a href="#speak"><code class=property>speak</code></a>’
property determines whether or not to render text aurally.
<p class=note> Note that the functionality provided by this property has no
match in the SSML markup language <a href="#ref-SSML"
rel=biblioentry>[SSML]<!--{{!SSML}}--></a>.
<dl>
<dt> <strong>auto</strong>
<dd>
<p>Resolves to a computed value of ‘<code class=css>never</code>’
when <a href="#display-def">‘<code
class=property>display</code>’</a> is ‘<code
class=property>none</code>’, otherwise resolves to a computed value of
‘<code class=property>auto</code>’. The used value is then
equivalent to ‘<code class=css>always</code>’ if ‘<code
class=property>visibility</code>’ is ‘<code
class=css>visible</code>’ and to ‘<code class=css>never</code>’
otherwise.
<p class=note> Note that the ‘<code class=property>none</code>’ value
of the <a href="#display-def">‘<code
class=property>display</code>’</a> property cannot be overridden by
descendants of the selected element, but the ‘<code
class=property>auto</code>’ value of ‘<a href="#speak"><code
class=property>speak</code></a>’ can however be overridden using
either of ‘<code class=property>never</code>’ or ‘<code
class=property>always</code>’.
<dt> <strong>never</strong>
<dd>
<p> This value causes an element (including pauses, cues, rests and
actual content) to not be rendered (i.e., the element has no effect in
the aural dimension).
<p class=note> Note that any of the descendants of the affected element
are allowed to override this value, so descendants can actually take
part in the aural rendering despite using ‘<code class=css>display:
none</code>’ at this level. However, the pauses, cues, and rests of
the ancestor element remain "deactivated" in the aural dimension, and
therefore do not contribute to the <a
href="#collapsed-pauses">collapsing of pauses</a> or additive behavior
of adjoining rests.
<dt> <strong>always</strong>
<dd>
<p> The element is rendered aurally (regardless of its <a
href="#display-def">‘<code class=property>display</code>’</a> value,
or the <a href="#display-def">‘<code
class=property>display</code>’</a> or ‘<a href="#speak"><code
class=property>speak</code></a>’ values of its ancestors).
<p class=note> Note that using this value can result in the element being
rendered in the aural dimension even though it would not be rendered on
the visual canvas.
</dl>
<h3 id=speaking-props-speak-as><span class=secno>8.2. </span>The ‘<a
href="#speak-as"><code class=property>speak-as</code></a>’ property</h3>
<table class=propdef summary="name: syntax">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Name:
<td> <dfn id=speak-as>speak-as</dfn>
<tr>
<td> <em>Value:</em>
<td>normal | spell-out || digits || [ literal-punctuation |
no-punctuation ]
<tr>
<td> <em>Initial:</em>
<td>normal
<tr>
<td> <em>Applies to:</em>
<td>all elements
<tr>
<td> <em>Inherited:</em>
<td>yes
<tr>
<td> <em>Percentages:</em>
<td>N/A
<tr>
<td> <em>Computed value:</em>
<td>specified value
</table>
<p>The ‘<a href="#speak-as"><code class=property>speak-as</code></a>’