Why Is Your Brand Name Mispronounced? A Pronunciation Dictionary Guide
Why AI voices mispronounce brand names, abbreviations and foreign words, and how to fix them with a pronunciation dictionary. Example rules and best practices.
Voice Go Team4 min read
Short answer
AI voices read words according to the general language rules they were trained on, so brand names, abbreviations and foreign words are sometimes voiced unexpectedly. A pronunciation dictionary is a list of rules that maps how a word is written to how you want it read (for example "GDPR" → "gee dee pee ar"). Rules are defined once and applied automatically to every voiceover, ensuring the same, correct pronunciation across all of your organization's content.
The most common problem in AI voiceover isn't voice quality, it's specific words being mispronounced. When your brand name is read with one wrong sound, or an abbreviation is voiced as if it were a word, even the most natural voice loses credibility.
In this post we explain why this happens and how you can fix it permanently with a pronunciation dictionary.
Why do AI voices mispronounce some words?
AI voiceover models learn general language rules from vast amounts of text and speech data. That's why they read everyday words correctly. But for the following kinds of words, they have to guess:
| Word type | Example | Possible problem |
|---|---|---|
| Abbreviations | GDPR, KVKK, HSE | Read as a word |
| Foreign brand names | VoiceGo, iPhone | Read with the spelling rules of another language |
| Invented product names | Product and campaign names | Stress falls on the wrong syllable |
| Technical terms | API, SSML, CRM | Unclear whether to read letter by letter or as a word |
| Names of people and places | Surnames of foreign origin | Mispronounced |
| Special notations | 3D, B2B, 24/7 | Symbols skipped or misread |
What is a pronunciation dictionary?
A pronunciation dictionary is a list of rules that maps how a word is written to how you want it read. Each rule has two parts:
- Written as: How it appears in the script (e.g.
GDPR) - Read as: How you want the voice to say it (e.g.
gee dee pee ar)
Rules are defined once and applied automatically to every voiceover. The script in your editor doesn't change; only the text sent to the voice does.
Example rules
| Written as | Read as | Note |
|---|---|---|
| GDPR | gee dee pee ar | Abbreviation read letter by letter |
| KVKK | ke ve ke ke | Turkish abbreviation, for Turkish scripts |
| API | ay pee eye | However it's said in your company |
| B2B | bee to bee | The established industry reading |
| 24/7 | twenty-four seven | Expression with a symbol |
| Ltd. | limited | Expanded abbreviation |
| VoiceGo | Voice Go | Brand name written as one word |
5 rules for using a pronunciation dictionary
1. Write the pronunciation the way it sounds
The AI voice applies the spelling rules of the script's language. Write the reading of a foreign word the way you hear it, using the letters of the language you're voicing in.
2. Follow how your organization says it
The "correct" reading of an abbreviation is how it's said in your company and your industry. Choose the reading that sounds familiar to your employees and customers.
3. Separate suffixes with an apostrophe (in Turkish)
Under Turkish spelling rules, suffixes on proper names and abbreviations are separated with an apostrophe: "KVKK'nın", "Voice Go'ya". This is correct spelling and also lets the dictionary rule work on words with suffixes.
4. Listen after adding a rule
After adding a rule, voice a short sentence containing that word and listen. If the reading isn't what you expected, change the spelling (for example by separating the syllables).
5. Make the dictionary a team standard
The pronunciation dictionary is part of your organization's "voice style guide". When every team uses the same dictionary, content produced by different departments stays consistent.
How to use the pronunciation dictionary in Voice Go
- In the studio, click the Pronunciations button in the top toolbar.
- Enter the word as it appears in the script in Written as and how you want it said in Read as, then press Add.
- Write a short sentence containing the word and press Generate to hear the result.
Rules are case-insensitive and apply only to whole words, so a "VoiceGo" rule won't affect the word "VoiceGoPro".
Where does it matter most?
- IVR prompts: Your brand name is the first word callers hear.
- E-learning: Internal abbreviations are used heavily.
- Banking and finance: Product names and financial abbreviations.
- Healthcare: Drug names and medical terms.
Frequently asked questions
Does the pronunciation dictionary change my script?
No. The text in the editor stays exactly as it is; the rule is applied only to the text sent to the voice during generation.
Should abbreviations be read letter by letter or as a word?
However people actually say them. "NATO" and "NASA" are read as words, while "GDPR" and "FBI" are read letter by letter. If you're unsure, listen to how your employees say it in everyday conversation.
Do rules work on words with suffixes?
They work when the suffix is separated by an apostrophe. In Turkish, for example, suffixes on proper names and abbreviations are separated by an apostrophe ("KVKK'nın"), which gives both correct spelling and correct reading.
How should I write foreign brand names?
Write how it should sound, using the spelling conventions of the script's language. In a Turkish script, for example, you would write an English brand name the way it's pronounced in your company, using Turkish letters (such as "Voys Go").