TTS Deprecation Notes - Verbalization Changes

This section describes upcoming changes to how the Text-to-Speech (TTS) system speaks specific text patterns. During the transition period, you may notice immediate differences in verbalization. If you must retain previous behaviors, use the workarounds provided below.

These changes will be effective in June 2026.

Simple Numbers Read as Whole Numbers

What is Changing

Simple numbers (standalone numeric values) are now spoken as whole numbers instead of digit-by-digit.

Your Text	Current Verbalization	New Verbalization
`31`	"three one"	"thirty one"
`2824`	"two eight two four"	"two thousand eight hundred twenty four"

When You Might Want the Current Verbalization

If you have confirmation codes, PIN numbers, or reference IDs that should be read digit-by-digit.

How to Keep the Current Verbalization

Wrap the number in a <say-as> tag with interpret-as="digits":

Example:

Your confirmation number is <say-as interpret-as="digits">2824</say-as>.

Result: "Your confirmation number is two eight two four."

More Examples

Desired Output	Text to Use
"three one"	`<say-as interpret-as="digits">31</say-as>`
"one two three four five"	`<say-as interpret-as="digits">12345</say-as>`
"nine eight seven six"	`<say-as interpret-as="digits">9876</say-as>`

Standalone Dashes Become Pauses

What is Changing

When a dash appears between words with spaces around it (like "accounts - which"), it now creates a brief pause instead of being spoken as "dash".

Your Text	Current Verbalization	New Verbalization
`I found 3 accounts - which would you like?`	"... accounts dash which ..."	"... accounts [pause] which ..."

When You Might Want the Current Verbalization

If you specifically want the word "dash" to be spoken aloud.

How to Keep the Current Verbalization

Replace the dash symbol with the word "dash":

Example:

I found 3 accounts dash which would you like?

Result: "I found 3 accounts dash which would you like?"

US Phone Number Verbalization

What is Changing

US phone numbers are now spoken more naturally. For example, area codes ending in "00" are read as hundreds.

Your Text	Current Verbalization	New Verbalization
`1-800-227-4825`	"one dash eight zero zero dash two two seven dash four eight two five"	"one eight hundred two two seven four eight two five"

When You Might Want the Current Verbalization

If you need each digit spoken separately for clarity.

How to Keep the Current Verbalization

Use the <say-as> tag with interpret-as="digits" for each part of the phone number and the word dash in between:

Example:

Call us at <say-as interpret-as="digits">1</say-as> dash <say-as interpret-as="digits">800</say-as> dash <say-as interpret-as="digits">227</say-as> dash <say-as interpret-as="digits">4825</say-as>.

Result: "Call us at one dash eight zero zero dash two two seven dash four eight two five"."

US Address Verbalization

What is Changing

Several address-related patterns are now verbalized differently for better clarity in call center scenarios.

1. State Abbreviations Before Extended Zip Codes

Two-letter US state abbreviations are now expanded to the full state name when they appear directly before an extended zip code (format: 12345-6789).

Your Text	Current Verbalization	New Verbalization
`UT 84130-0285`	"U T ..."	"Utah ..."
`NY 10001-1234`	"N Y ..."	"New York ..."
`CA 90210-5678`	"C A ..."	"California ..."

2. Extended Zip Codes Read Digit-by-Digit

Extended zip codes with dashes are now read digit-by-digit instead of as whole numbers.

Your Text	Current Verbalization	New Verbalization
`84130-0285`	"eighty four thousand one hundred thirty to two hundred eighty five"	"eight four one three zero dash zero two eight five"
`10001-1234`	"ten thousand one to one thousand two hundred thirty four"	"one zero zero zero one dash one two three four"

3. PO Box Numbers Read Digit-by-Digit

Box numbers in PO Box addresses are now read digit-by-digit instead of as whole numbers.

Your Text	Current Verbalization	New Verbalization
`Box 30285`	"Box thirty thousand two hundred eighty five"	"Box three zero two eight five"
`PO Box 1234`	"P O Box one thousand two hundred thirty four"	"P O Box one two three four"

Note: "PO" is always spelled out as "P O" regardless of this change.

When You Might Want the Current Behavior

If you want state abbreviations spelled out letter-by-letter (e.g., "U T" instead of "Utah")
If you want zip codes read as whole numbers
If you want box numbers read as whole numbers

How to Keep the Current Behavior

For State Abbreviations (spell out letters instead of full name)

Use the <say-as> tag with interpret-as="characters" for the state abbreviation:

Your address is <say-as interpret-as="characters">UT</say-as> 84130-0285.

Result: "Your address is U T eight four one three zero dash zero two eight five."

For Zip Codes (read as whole numbers with "to")

Use the <say-as> tag with interpret-as="cardinal" for each part and the word "to" in between:

Your zip code is <say-as interpret-as="cardinal">84130</say-as> to <say-as interpret-as="cardinal">0285</say-as>.

Result: "Your zip code is eighty four thousand one hundred thirty to two hundred eighty five."

For PO Box Numbers (read as whole numbers)

Use the <say-as> tag with interpret-as="cardinal" for the box number:

Send mail to PO Box <say-as interpret-as="cardinal">30285</say-as>.

Result: "Send mail to P O Box thirty thousand two hundred eighty five."

"in." Abbreviation at End of Sentences

What is Changing

The abbreviation "in." is now handled based on context:

After a number (e.g., "5 in.") → spoken as "inches"
Without a number before it (e.g., "interested in.") → spoken as "in" (the word, not "inch")

Your Text	Current Verbalization	New Verbalization
`interested in.`	"interested inch"	"interested in."

When You Might Want the Current Verbalization

If you always want "in." to be spoken as "inch" regardless of context especially at the end of a sentence.

How to Keep the Current Verbalization

Write out the full word "inch" or "inches" instead of using the abbreviation:

Example:

The measurement should be under an inch.