Alias function not working

Question

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to adjust the pronunciation of a word in Azure. However, the next to the input box for the "Alias function" the checkmark is missing to lock in the adjustment.

I checked with my colleague and they can adjust the pronunciation via the alias function and lock it in with a checkmark next to the input box.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much!

Answer 1

Hi Marie

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A and Thank you for reaching out.

The “Alias” control in Speech Studio (used to override pronunciation) can disappear or be disabled for a few specific reasons. Here’s a targeted checklist to get you unstuck and an immediate workaround if the UI won’t let you “lock” the adjustment.

Alias checkmark can be missing

1. Feature context & tool mismatch The Alias function is available in specific Speech Studio experiences (e.g., Audio Content Creation and some Custom Voice tuning panes). If you’re in a pane that doesn’t support per‑token aliasing, the UI will not render the “✔” apply/lock icon. Double‑check you are in Speech Studio › Audio Content Creation or in a Custom Neural Voice tuning screen, not a different tool like Pronunciation Assessment (which evaluates, not overrides).
2. Docs for TTS & supported locales/features: Language & voice support • Text‑to‑Speech REST reference [Language s...soft Learn | Learn.Microsoft.com] [Text to sp...soft Learn | Learn.Microsoft.com]
3. Voice type or locale limitations Some combinations of voice style/locale may not expose the Alias UI. Try switching to another voice within the same locale, or confirm the locale supports the features you need. See: Language & voice support [Language s...soft Learn | Learn.Microsoft.com]
4. Project permissions/role If your account has Reader or a custom role without edit rights, Speech Studio can load the page but hide “apply/save” controls (including the Alias checkmark). Ensure your identity has Contributor (or higher) on the Speech resource and the Speech Studio project. (General troubleshooting guidance for Speech auth/config: Troubleshoot the Speech SDK) [Troublesho...soft Learn | Learn.Microsoft.com]
5. Browser/UI issues
   • Try Edge/Chrome with no extensions; some ad‑blockers or script blockers suppress inline controls.
   • Reset zoom to 100%—at unusual zoom levels the button can be off‑screen or overlapped.
   • Clear cache or open in InPrivate/Incognito.
   • If you’re on a small viewport, widen the window; Alias confirmation sits within an inline chip that can collapse.
6. Environment differences Your colleague’s success may be because they’re using a different tenant, resource, or voice. Confirm you’re using the same Speech resource, region, voice, and project workspace. The per‑region capabilities (and occasionally preview flags) can differ. Reference endpoints & regions: TTS REST API regions [Text to sp...soft Learn | Learn.Microsoft.com]

Immediate workaround (even if the Alias UI won’t lock)

If the UI control is missing, you can still override pronunciation in synthesis using SSML:

<``speak version="1.0" xml:lang="en-US">

  ``<voice name="en-US-JennyNeural">

    ``<!-- Option A: Provide phonetic pronunciation -->

    ``<phoneme alphabet="ipa" ph="ˈæː.li.əs">alias</phoneme>

    ``<!-- Option B: Substitute display with alias word form -->

    ``<sub alias="ay-lee-us">alias</sub>

  ``</voice>

</``speak>

``

• Use <phoneme> with IPA (or sapi alphabet) for exact phonetics.
• Use <sub alias="..."> to map a written form to the spoken form.
• Send this SSML in your TTS REST or SDK call; it bypasses the Studio UI. API details: Text‑to‑Speech REST [Text to sp...soft Learn | Learn.Microsoft.com

Note: For batches or reusable overrides, keep a small SSML library/file in your app. If you later want Studio-managed overrides, you can paste the same phoneme/sub entries into the UI when it’s available.

If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful.

Thank you