How to Fix Mispronounced Words and Names in ElevenLabs

Correct names, acronyms, and tricky words using phonetic spelling and pronunciation dictionaries.

7 minIntermediate

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Text to speech often stumbles on brand names, foreign words, and acronyms. ElevenLabs gives you two ways to fix this: rewrite the spelling so it sounds right, or use a pronunciation dictionary for repeatable control. This guide covers both, starting with the quick fix.

What you need

A script that contains a word the voice gets wrong
An ElevenLabs account (dictionaries require a paid plan)
Optional: the IPA or CMU phonetic spelling of the tricky word

Step 1: Try respelling first

The fastest fix is to write the word the way it should sound. Replace the real spelling with a phonetic one in the script. This needs no setup and works everywhere, including the free tier.

respell.txt

Wrong:  Visit our store in Worcester today.
Fixed:  Visit our store in Wuster today.

Wrong:  Our CEO, Siobhan, will speak.
Fixed:  Our CEO, Shivawn, will speak.

Spell out acronyms with spaces

To force letter-by-letter reading, separate the letters: write S Q L instead of SQL so the voice does not try to say it as a word.

Step 2: Create a pronunciation dictionary

For words that recur across many projects, build a reusable dictionary. In the settings, find Pronunciation Dictionaries and create a new one. Each entry maps a word to a phonetic alias or an IPA string.

ElevenLabs - Pronunciation dictionary

Dictionary: brand-terms

----------------------------------------

Word Type Pronunciation

Setuproll alias build roll

nginx alias engine x

GIF phoneme /dʒɪf/

[ Add entry ]

Map a word once and every project using the dictionary obeys it.

Step 3: Attach the dictionary to a project

In a Studio project or API call, attach the dictionary so its rules apply. From then on, every matching word is read your way without editing the script each time.

Step 4: Regenerate and confirm

Generate the line again and listen specifically for the fixed word. If a phoneme entry sounds off, IPA is precise but unforgiving, so an alias spelling is often easier to get right.

Result: your company name, product terms, and any awkward acronyms are pronounced correctly every time, across every generation.

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