How To Make Your Computer Speak To You

by

Here’s how you can make your MacBook speak to you. (I’m working with a 2013 MacBook Air and I’ve got  iOS 10.8.4.)

Go to system preferences in the tool bar.

System Preferences

 

Click Dictation & Speech

Dictation and Speech

Choose the Text to Speech tab

Text to Speech

Check box “speak selected text when the key is pressed”

I have mine set to the default (option + esc key) but you can change that if you prefer.

Check dictation box

 

Choose a Voice

Male or female. The tones vary. It’s really up to you.

Dictation voice options

 

Now whenever you highlight text, you can press option+escape and the text will be read aloud. Make sure your volume is turned up and you’re good to go!