VOA Pronunciation Guide - Help

The VOA pronunciation system was designed for its simplicity of use.  Here is how it works. 

1. Exact Search - If you're sure how to spell a name, enter the first few letters of the last name in the "Exact Search" box.  Then click on the button to the left of the "Exact Search".  Any names that start with the exact text of the search value will be displayed. 



2. Near Search - If you aren�t sure how to spell a name, enter the first few letters of the first, last, middle names, or portions thereof, in the "Near Search" box.  Then click on the button to the left of the "Near Search".  Any names that come reasonably close to the search value will be displayed.  When using the "Near Search" mechanism, avoid punctuation marks and spaces. 



3. List Lookup - The "list lookup" provides a listing of the entire database without pronunciations.  Scroll down the list using the arrow at the right of the list box.  Left click to highlight a name.  Then click on the button to the left of the "List Lookup" search to retrieve the entry. 



4. Origin - To access names by origin, highlight an entry by scrolling down with the arrow at right and then left clicking on an entry.  Then click on the button to the left of the "Origin" search to begin the search. 



5. After your search is complete, you will be presented with the list of words that match your search.  Entries with a icon have a sound file that will give you an "audio pronunciation" of the selected record.  This audio file can be heard using any audio player that can play back "mp3" files.
   
   
6. By left clicking on the "Short List" link on the left side of the page, you will access the latest additions to the database and/or frequently recurring names. 



7. You may use your browser buttons to navigate the site and print a page from the dropdown "file" menu. 



8. If you are having problems hearing the audio pronunciation, please do the following:



1. If you have external speakers, adjust the speaker volume on the speaker itself. 



2. If your computer has only an internal speaker, or if there is no physical volume control on your external speakers, go to the speaker icon in the tray at the bottom lower right of your Window's screen.  It should be located near the digital clock.  Left click on this icon and then move the volume control up all the way.  Make sure the speaker is not muted.  If this does not help, right click on the speaker icon and select "Open volume controls. " Increase the Master Out volume on the left of this screen.  Again, check to see that the master is not muted.  By clicking on the "Advanced" button on the Master Out screen, you will again be given the opportunity to check for speaker muting. 



3. If this does not help, go back to the speaker icon in the tray and right click.  This time, select "Adjust audio properties. " The playback section at the top of this screen allows you to increase the speaker volume. 



4. Another place you may adjust the volume is on your chosen media player software. Your player should have a volume control on the front of its screen. 



5. If all of the above still does not give you enough volume, your internal speaker may have been disabled when installed.  The only other alternative is to use headphones (caution: readjust volume first so you don't damage your ears) or if you're an internal VOA user, contact VOA Computer Services. 



If you are accessing the audio pronunciations from within VOA, your designated Audio player should appear on your screen quickly.  The audio should then start automatically within a few seconds.  If you are accessing the site from outside VOA, it will probably take a bit longer for the audio to download to your player. 


9. If you have technical problems, please email jtedder@voa. gov and copy to jjohnson@ibb. gov.