*This article is an English translation of a Japanese article.
The “pronunciation” guideline in web accessibility ensures that users, including those with visual impairments, can clearly understand the correct pronunciation of specific terms or phrases. Using the <audio> tag is an effective way to offer audio support, especially for proper nouns or technical terms that may be challenging for screen readers to pronounce correctly. This article explains the benefits of using <audio> for accessibility and offers implementation methods for effective pronunciation support.
Benefits of Using the <audio> Tag for Pronunciation Support
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Accurate Pronunciation
By using pre-recorded audio, you can ensure that terms are pronounced correctly, without relying solely on the screen reader’s interpretation. -
Easy Multilingual Support
The<audio>tag allows for natural pronunciation in different languages, making content more accessible for multilingual audiences. -
Enhanced Comprehension for Complex Terms
For pages with unique names, technical terms, or uncommon phrases, providing audio helps users understand correct pronunciation.
Implementing Pronunciation Support with the <audio> Tag
1. Adding the <audio> Tag for Pronunciation
The <audio> tag can be used to allow users to listen to specific words or phrases. Adding the controls attribute provides basic playback options, giving users control over when to play the audio.
Example: Providing Pronunciation for a Specific Term with the <audio> Tag
<p>Click below to hear the pronunciation of <strong>Schrödinger</strong>:</p>
<audio controls>
<source src="audio/schrodinger.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
<p>Your browser does not support the audio element.</p>
</audio>
2. Adding Pronunciation Buttons for Specific Text
Alternatively, you can add a play button next to a word, allowing users to hear the pronunciation only when they wish. Use the aria-label attribute to make the purpose of the button clear to screen readers.
Example: Adding a Pronunciation Button
<p>Click the button to hear the pronunciation of the term “IUPAC”:</p>
<button aria-label="Play pronunciation of IUPAC">
<audio id="iupac-audio">
<source src="audio/iupac.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
</audio>
Hear Pronunciation
</button>
<script>
document.querySelector('button[aria-label="Play pronunciation of IUPAC"]').addEventListener('click', function() {
document.getElementById('iupac-audio').play();
});
</script>
3. Avoiding Auto-Play
It’s important to avoid auto-playing audio, as unexpected audio can be disruptive for users. Instead, allow users to play audio when needed.
Best Practices When Using the <audio> Tag
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Avoid Auto-Playing Audio: Prevent audio from playing automatically to ensure a seamless user experience.
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Provide Text Alternatives: For terms that may be difficult to understand from audio alone, consider adding explanatory text alongside the audio.
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Cross-Browser Compatibility: Since some browsers may not support the <audio> tag, provide fallback content or text explanations where needed.
Conclusion
Incorporating audio pronunciation with the <audio> tag can greatly enhance accessibility by providing precise pronunciation for complex terms or names. This approach is especially useful when screen readers may struggle with certain words, and it allows all users to better understand your content.
Use pronunciation support to improve comprehension and ensure an inclusive experience for all users.
We have released the UUU Web Accessibility Widget Tool, designed to make web accessibility easy to implement. This tool helps improve the accessibility of websites quickly and efficiently, even without specialized knowledge.
If you’re interested in enhancing your website’s accessibility, please check out the details. We are here to support you in making your website more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.