Cortana cannot speak English!

clayto · 10 Apr 2016

Every so often Cortana pops up with a message saying that before she can help 'I must select a language she can speak'. There is a list of appropriate languages including of course English US and English UK My preference has been English UK (the region where I live) for speech --- but for the Keyboard English USA, otherwise not all the keys will work correctly on my Board. Often this does not satisfy Cortana, who changes my speech language to English USA after a restart BUT (and this is so annoying) even that does not satisfy her either, she still pops up to say she cannot help until I select a language she can speak which, so it seems, include English USA!

Both UK and USA language packs are installed and so are all updates (automatically).I have spent quite a lot of time trying to deal with this, experimenting with several different settings, in Settings and the input methods which are available from WinKey plus Space. Occassionally I hit on a combination, with English UK speech and English USA Keyboard, which satisfies her --- but only for a while. She has just started the same rigmerole again.

How can I sort this nonesence out permanently?

flybynite · 10 Apr 2016

That is strange. Sorry I can't help. I use US language, and US International keyboard settings without issue. I hope you find a solution.

davidhk · 10 Apr 2016

clayto,
Since you are in UK, see if the following settings will help..................

Settings > Time & Language > left side, click Region & language > right side,
under Country or Region, click the pointer and select United Kingdom,
under Languages, you said you had English (United Kingdom) installed. If so, click English (United Kingdom) > click Set as default.
You will be asked to restart in order to use English (United Kingdom) as Display language. Please restart a bit later.
Did you also install English (United Kingdom) as Speech ?
If not, click English (United Kingdom) > click Options > left side, under Speech, click Download.
Still in the Time & Language page, left side, click Speech > under Speech language, click the pointer and select English (United Kingdom)
Restart computer.

Will Cortana complies this time ?

clayto · 11 Apr 2016

"Did you also install English (United Kingdom) as Speech ?"

I am only offered US English as an option. Is there an additional Speech UK pack to download / install? If so, I cannot find it. Can you advise?

My current setting is Region UK, Display UK English and KB USA English but Cortana does not work with this now.

dalchina · 11 Apr 2016

Cortana doesn't worry about the keyboard, but needs the Speech language pack downloaded for UK to be consistent. Surprisingly clear. Cortana should produce a prompt for you to follow.

I think you have to go here:

Cortana cannot speak English!-snap-2016-04-11-09.46.28.jpg

and click options.. mine won't show an option to download 'cos it's already there.

I found it confusing.

davidhk · 11 Apr 2016

clayto said:

"Did you also install English (United Kingdom) as Speech ?"

I am only offered US English as an option. Is there an additional Speech UK pack to download / install? If so, I cannot find it. Can you advise?

My current setting is Region UK, Display UK English and KB USA English but Cortana does not work with this now.

Part of my reply in post #3.............................
Did you also install English (United Kingdom) as Speech ?
If not, click English (United Kingdom) > click Options > left side, under Speech, click Download.
Still in the Time & Language page, left side, click Speech > under Speech language, click the pointer and select English (United Kingdom)

In short, there are 3 areas that you need to set...........
Country & Region.................... United Kingdom
Language..................................... English (United Kingdom) , and set as Default which will require a restart
Speech.......................................... English (United Kingdom)

alphanumeric · 11 Apr 2016

My location/region is set to Canada, my installed language is English US. Cortana would not work, even if I changed my location to US. I was prompted to select a language she could speak. The only option in the drop down was English US. I had to download and install the English Canada language pack and Speech pack. Then go Settings > Time & Language > Speech > Choose the language you speak with your device, and set it to English Canada. Cortana then worked. I set my language back to English US, Settings > Time & Language > Region and language >Language settings and Cortana continued to work. I then uninstalled the English Canada Language pack, but leaving the speech part still installed. Cortana works and my keyboard keys all line up. There may be an easier way, but that's how it unfolded for me.

clayto · 11 Apr 2016

I am getting more confused. When I click English UK all I get is the English USA alternative, nothing else. When I click Speech all I get is Pin to Start. No Options, no Download. I know that there are a range of options for English UK to download because I have seen them --- once. But I cannot find how to get back there. I will give it a rest and then try again

Cortana cannot speak English!-2016_04_11_15_30_171.png

. But I am wondering if I am in the same place as you.

davidhk · 11 Apr 2016

Your screenshot shows choice of 2 versions of English language under Speech Language.
You will pick/click....................... English (United kingdom).
That's it.
I don't understand what is the confusion.

Now confirm if that is what you are supposed to have..................
Country & Region.......................................United Kingdom
Language ....................................................... English (United Kingdom) Make sure it is set as default.
Speech ............................................................ English (United Kingdom)

If that is what you have, then go try using Cortana.

alphanumeric · 11 Apr 2016

All I had initially, in that drop down was English (United States). I then wet to Settings > Time & Language > Region and language > and clicked the Add a language. I selected English Canada. There were two checkboxes shown during the install, one for the actual language pack and another for the Speech part. I checked both. Once I did that, I had English (Canada) as an option in the window you posted and selected that. Once I did that Cortana worked. My location was set to Canada so I guess she needed the Canada speech pack? After that I was able to change my language back to English US. The Speech setting stayed on English Canada. If I leave my language set to English Canada some of my keyboard keys get messed up.

As mentioned, select English UK and see if Cortana works.

My current settings are:
Country & Region.......................................Canada
Language ....................................................... English (United States)
Speech ............................................................ English (Canada)
And Cortana works.