Translate an answerphone message

[Fred]

I don't think it is possible, but we may have some knowledgable people amongst us.

We received a phone call and unusually they left a message instead of trying the mobile. We have a rough idea what the person is saying as we were expecting a phone call, but she has spoken so fast it's not possible to keep up. Well after a few plays we managed to get what she was saying, but it got me thinking how good it would be if you could translate a message left on your phone.

So far I have tried using Google translate using the laptop microphone to do text to speech, but it didn't pick it up.

I then tried a couple of apps on Mrs Fred's android tablet, but again no joy as it wouldn't pick up the recording.

Both worked if you speak, but they don't seem to recognise an answerphone message.

Just in case this happens again, does anyone know if it is possible to translate a message left on an answerphone ?

[Brian]

Now that's a very good question... Any suggestions from the family at Around Montmorillon?

[Fred]

Now that's a very good question... Any suggestions from the family at Around Montmorillon?

I should have said "Speech To Text" and not "Text To Speech. It works well with a human voice, but not a machine recording. I was hoping it would convert it to text so I could understand it or use Google translate for the difficult parts.

I have subscribed to this thread for when they all reply.

[Brian]

I did try speech to text on my answerphone a while ago, but it didn't work because of (a) the speed of speech, (b) the slurring between words caused by (a) and (c ) the poor line quality.

I did change my voice message, asking callers to speak slowly because of my poor French and that has helped a lot - most callers do speak more carefully. So much so that I can generally work out why they are calling and if it's worth calling them back!

[Fred]

I did change my voice message, asking callers to speak slowly because of my poor French and that has helped a lot - most callers do speak more carefully. So much so that I can generally work out why they are calling and if it's worth calling them back!

That's a good tip Brian.

Just need to work out how to change the message.

[Clubby]

But Fred, you succeeded in deciphering the message yourself - you take away all that fun finding an app to do it for you!
Reminds me of French class where you have to listen to the same French spoken clip, over and over and over again. Eventually, word by word you get there or get the gist.
I spent quite a while in the pizza place in town once waiting to order.I walked in and he barked something at me at lightning speed, I didn't have a clue what he said but just kept replaying it in my head until I realised he'd said 'did you make a telephone order?' I wasn't expecting that, so it was all a bit awkward!

[Fred]

But Fred, you succeeded in deciphering the message yourself - you take away all that fun finding an app to do it for you!
Reminds me of French class where you have to listen to the same French spoken clip, over and over and over again. Eventually, word by word you get there or get the gist.
I spent quite a while in the pizza place in town once waiting to order.I walked in and he barked something at me at lightning speed, I didn't have a clue what he said but just kept replaying it in my head until I realised he'd said 'did you make a telephone order?' I wasn't expecting that, so it was all a bit awkward!

Yes succeeded but after a lot of frustration Clubby. I find face to face a lot easier, but phone calls are almost impossible.

The biggest problem is when they speak fast and our answerphone sounds tinny at the best of times.

Hope you got your pizza in the end.