Word TTS Reads in Wrong Language

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Word TTS Reads in Wrong Language

HarpE 0

I am using Microsoft 365 on a Windows 11 computer. I am writing a document with many chemical formulas in it and am trying to make it TTS compatible. I have already set proofing languages for the document to English, but it still reads some of the formulas and equations in different languages. For example I have an equation object: "H"_2 "C"_6 "H"_8 "O"_4 (formatted in linear here, but professional in the document) and it changes the language to Romanian for any formula beginning with "H"2, not "H"<n>.

Making the formulas equation objects has been the fix for most of my compatibility issues, but I can't seem to fix the issue here.

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Answer 1

Charles Kenyon 167K Volunteer Moderator

Make sure that Detect Language Automatically is not enabled.

If your Windows language settings are other than English, you may need to manually set the language for your formulae or use a character style. Here is my article on how to use styles for proofing language settings: https://addbalance.com/articles/Using%20Styles%20for%20Proofing%20Language%20Settings.htm

HarpE 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T17:44:29.8033333+00:00

Hi, thank you for your response! I have already turned off detect languages, and have set the proofing and editing languages to English, which has not resolved the issue. The custom macro is an interesting solution, but I'm not sure it is applicable here, as it will not be available to people who download the document.
Charles Kenyon 167K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-03-24T19:30:25.47+00:00

@HarpE,

The key language setting, unfortunately, is the Windows regional language setting and keyboard when the document/template is created. For some purposes, this over-rides any settings in Word. Switching to a keyboard setup with a different language will also change the proofing language in Word. The Windows settings can be over-ridden in the document by direct language formatting or a style with a language setting.

When you distribute a document to others, the language should not change. Proofing language is a character-level attribute that stays with a document.

Are you creating a template to be used by others to create separate documents, or a document? Is it intended that others will be entering equations?
HarpE 0 Reputation points

2026-03-24T20:29:36.31+00:00

I am creating a document that will not need to be altered by others after it is distributed. The language for the style is set to English, and there is no reason for the language to be changing. The editing, proofing, and style languages are all set to English, and detect language is turned off. There is a setting under the style to detect languages, but I cannot turn that particular setting off.

Answer 2

Read Aloud and Speak in Word use the proofing language that is applied to each piece of text, not just the document’s overall default. In the scenario described, parts of the equation text are likely tagged with a different language (such as Romanian), so TTS switches language mid‑formula.

To correct this, ensure that the correct language is applied to all equation text and that automatic language switching is not interfering:

Select the entire equation (or the whole document if many equations are affected).
On the Review tab, in the Language group, select Language > Set Proofing Language.
In the Language dialog, choose English.
Clear Detect language automatically so Word does not try to re‑tag parts of the text based on content.
Make sure Do not check spelling or grammar is not selected.
Click OK.

If some formulas are still read in the wrong language, repeat the steps but select only the specific formula or characters (for example, the H₂ portion) and reapply the English proofing language.

If any language packs you do not need are installed and being picked up, you can also review your Office language settings:

In Word, go to File > Options > Language.
Under Office authoring languages and proofing, ensure English is present and set as Preferred.
Remove or move down other authoring languages you do not need, or install the appropriate proofing tools if required.

Once all equation text is consistently tagged as English and automatic language detection is disabled, Word’s TTS should read the formulas in English.

References:

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Word TTS Reads in Wrong Language

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