Text to Speech – Multilingual Support

Initial Considerations
REDCap offer multiple ways to support language translation such as the multilingual app and the text to speech. The two functions are very different:

The Multi-lingual app translated the written word to another language
The Text to Speech function reads the survey to the participant. When enabled, icons will be displayed next to all text on the survey, and when clicked, the text will be read out loud to the participant (must have device speakers turned on).

You should decide which option is functionally best for your project and what is supported by your IRB

The Process
REDCap has a Text-To-Speech function located in the project's Survey Settings. By default, this setting is disabled. Here are the steps for enabling this setting:

Create a new Project or Edit an existing Project.
Add data fields and instruments
Enable surveys on your project by clicking the Enable button under Main Project setting.
From the Project Settings tab, enable your new instrument to be a survey
You will immediately be directed the Survey Setting for that instrument. (If the instrument was previously enabled, click on Survey Settings.) Scroll down to the Survey Customizations section and enable Text to Speech functionality.
Select which method you want used when the functionality is enabled:
1. Note that any data piped from PHI fields will not be translated
Select form the list of languages and whether you desire a female / male voice
Save Changes at the bottom of the page
Now that Text to Speech is enabled, icons will be displayed next to all text on the survey page and when clicked, the text will be read out loud to the participant (must have computer speakers turned on). To view this go to left nav and click Survey Distribution Tools, then Open Public Survey
1. Note the option the user has to Disable Speech in the upper right corner

Simply click the speaker icon next to the question to hear the question.
Answers for multiple choice check boxes & yes/no are individually translated as each icon is click.
Answers for drop down are translated as a group

Additional Considerations

Which multilingual translation is best to use for my project? The multilingual app, the text to speech or separate projects in each language?

There are benefits to each language function in REDCap. When making a decision, you should consider each of the following:

1. Your respondents and what will best meet their needs
2. Reporting needs and data extraction concerns
3. Project Design & complexity of project
4. IRB requirements

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