Send a Script With Pronunciation Notes for Voice Over Recording

Send a Script With Pronunciation Notes for Voice Over Recording

If your voice over script contains names, brands, places, acronyms, technical terminology or specialist words that need to be pronounced in a particular way, you can send the script together with pronunciation guidance directly to professional British male voice over artist Spencer Cork.

Clear pronunciation information can be an important part of preparing a professional voice over project. A familiar word may have a company-specific pronunciation, a brand name may not be pronounced phonetically, and specialist terminology can vary between industries, organisations and countries.

Providing pronunciation notes before recording helps establish exactly how important words should be spoken.

I’m Spencer Cork, a professional British male voice over artist recording from a broadcast-quality studio in Kent, UK, for businesses, agencies, production companies and clients worldwide.

Send your script, identify any words that require particular attention and provide the clearest pronunciation guidance available.

Send your script and pronunciation notes through the Spencer Cork contact page.

Can I Send Pronunciation Notes With My Voice Over Script?

Yes.

If your script contains words that could be pronounced in more than one way, include guidance when you submit the project.

Pronunciation notes can be useful for:

• Personal names

• Company names

• Brand names

• Product names

• Place names

• Acronyms

• Initialisms

• Technical terminology

• Medical terminology

• Scientific vocabulary

• Foreign words

• Industry-specific language

Even if a pronunciation seems obvious internally within your organisation, it may not be obvious to someone encountering the word for the first time.

Why Are Pronunciation Notes Important for Voice Over Recording?

A professional recording needs to communicate the intended wording accurately.

If a key name, product or specialist term is pronounced incorrectly, part of the recording may need to be produced again.

Providing pronunciation guidance before the session can help reduce uncertainty and establish the intended pronunciation from the beginning.

This is particularly useful when the script contains terminology specific to your organisation or industry.

What Is the Best Way to Provide Pronunciation Guidance?

Use the method that communicates the pronunciation most clearly.

You can provide:

• A phonetic spelling

• A word that rhymes with it

• A syllable-by-syllable guide

• An audio reference

• A video reference

• A link to an official pronunciation source

• A short voice note

For particularly important words, providing both written and audio guidance can be useful.

Can I Write the Pronunciation Phonetically?

Yes.

A simple phonetic spelling can be effective when it is easy to understand.

For example, you might separate a word into syllables and use capital letters to indicate the stressed part.

The objective is clarity rather than strict linguistic notation.

You do not need to use the International Phonetic Alphabet unless it is genuinely useful for your project.

Can I Send an Audio Recording of the Correct Pronunciation?

Yes.

An audio reference can be one of the clearest ways to communicate how a word should sound.

This may be particularly useful for:

• Personal names

• Unusual surnames

• Brand names

• Foreign-language words

• Regional place names

• Company-specific terminology

A simple voice note may be sufficient if it clearly demonstrates the required pronunciation.

Can I Send a Video Showing How a Word Is Pronounced?

Yes.

If an official company video, product demonstration, interview or other reliable reference contains the required pronunciation, you can provide it as supporting material.

Where possible, identify where the relevant word appears rather than requiring the entire reference to be searched.

Can I Send a Pronunciation Guide as a Separate Document?

Yes.

For scripts containing many specialist terms, a separate pronunciation guide may be useful.

The document could contain:

• The word as written

• Phonetic guidance

• Audio reference information

• Notes about emphasis

• Alternative pronunciations to avoid

Make sure the terminology in the guide matches the spelling used in the final recording script.

Can I Add Pronunciation Notes Directly Into the Script?

Yes.

You can place pronunciation guidance next to the relevant word, provided it is clearly distinguished from the words that need to be recorded.

For example:

Brand Name [pronounced: ...]

Technical Term [pronounced: ...]

Person's Name [pronounced: ...]

Avoid formatting that could make the pronunciation note appear to be part of the spoken script.

Should I Highlight Difficult Words?

Yes.

Highlighting words that require special attention can make them easier to identify during script preparation.

You might use:

• Bold text

• Highlighting

• Comments

• Footnotes

• A separate pronunciation list

Use a consistent system throughout the document.

Can I Send Pronunciation Notes for Names?

Yes.

Personal names are a common reason for providing pronunciation guidance.

This may be particularly important for:

• Customer stories

• Awards ceremonies

• Corporate presentations

• Training programmes

• Event announcements

• Case studies

If possible, provide guidance directly from the person whose name is being spoken.

Can I Send Pronunciation Notes for Brand Names?

Yes.

Brand pronunciation should not be assumed.

Some brand names have:

• Non-phonetic pronunciations

• Stylised pronunciations

• Regional variations

• Internal company preferences

If your organisation has an official pronunciation, provide it with the script.

Can I Send Pronunciation Notes for Product Names?

Yes.

Product names can include invented words, combinations of letters and numbers, technical references or stylised terminology.

Clearly indicate how every element should be spoken.

For example, explain whether:

• Letters are spoken individually

• Numbers are spoken as a complete number

• Hyphens are ignored

• Abbreviations are expanded

How Should I Explain Acronyms and Initialisms?

Make it clear whether the letters should be spoken individually or pronounced as a word.

For example, an acronym may be intended to be spoken as one word, while an initialism is normally spoken letter by letter.

Do not assume the intended pronunciation will automatically be understood from the spelling.

How Should I Mark Numbers in a Voice Over Script?

Numbers can sometimes be interpreted in different ways.

Clarify how important numbers should be spoken when necessary.

This may apply to:

• Dates

• Years

• Telephone numbers

• Prices

• Measurements

• Model numbers

• Product codes

• Version numbers

If a particular reading is required, write it clearly in the pronunciation or performance notes.

Can I Provide Pronunciation Guidance for Place Names?

Yes.

Place names can have pronunciations that are not obvious from their spelling.

This is particularly relevant for:

• British place names

• International locations

• Regional names

• Historic locations

• Local landmarks

An audio reference from someone familiar with the location can be useful where the pronunciation is unusual.

Can I Send Foreign Words in an English Voice Over Script?

Yes.

If an English-language script contains words from another language, provide guidance about the pronunciation expected for the project.

The desired pronunciation may depend on:

• The language of origin

• The intended audience

• Brand preference

• The surrounding English delivery

If a native pronunciation is essential, make this clear.

Can I Send Technical Terminology?

Yes.

Technical scripts frequently contain specialist vocabulary that may require clarification.

This can apply to sectors including:

• Technology

• Engineering

• Manufacturing

• Finance

• Healthcare

• Pharmaceuticals

• Science

• Telecommunications

If your organisation uses terminology in a particular way, provide that information before recording.

Can I Send Medical or Scientific Terminology?

Yes.

Scripts containing specialist medical or scientific language should include pronunciation guidance for uncommon or potentially ambiguous terminology.

Where accuracy is critical, provide reliable pronunciation references approved by the relevant subject-matter expert.

Can I Send a Script With Pronunciation Notes and Voice Direction?

Yes.

Pronunciation and performance direction can be provided together.

Pronunciation guidance explains how particular words should be spoken, while voice direction explains how the overall performance should sound.

You can also send a script and voice direction for recording.

Can I Send a Draft Script With Pronunciation Questions?

Yes.

If the script is still being developed, you can identify terminology that may need clarification before the final recording.

This can provide time to resolve pronunciation questions before the approved script is ready.

You can also send a draft script for voice over review.

Can I Request a Demo Read With Difficult Pronunciations?

You can include pronunciation guidance when enquiring about a custom demo read.

This can be particularly useful if the specialist terminology is an important part of evaluating the voice for the wider project.

You can also send a voice over script for a demo read.

What Happens If a Pronunciation Is Unclear?

If an important pronunciation cannot be confidently determined from the information provided, clarification may be required before the relevant section is recorded.

It is better to resolve uncertainty before recording than to make assumptions about important terminology.

What If There Are Several Accepted Pronunciations?

Specify which pronunciation is required for your project.

This may depend on:

• Brand preference

• Regional audience

• Industry convention

• Company policy

• Personal preference

Where relevant, explain which alternatives should not be used.

What If a Pronunciation Changes During the Project?

Send the updated guidance as soon as possible and clearly identify which previous instruction it replaces.

If the affected material has already been recorded, a replacement recording may be required.

Maintaining clear version control for both scripts and pronunciation guides can help avoid confusion.

Can Agencies and Production Companies Send Pronunciation Guides?

Yes.

Agencies, producers and creative teams can provide pronunciation information alongside the script and creative brief.

If several stakeholders are involved, it is helpful to consolidate the approved pronunciations before recording.

This can reduce conflicting instructions from different sources.

Can International Clients Send Pronunciation Guidance?

Yes.

Clients worldwide can provide written and audio pronunciation references remotely.

If the project contains terminology from multiple languages or regions, clearly identify the required pronunciation for each relevant word.

What Should I Send With My Pronunciation Notes?

Ideally, provide:

• The script

• A list of words requiring attention

• Written pronunciation guidance

• Audio references where useful

• Voice direction

• Intended audience

• Project deadline

• Any relevant technical requirements

The objective is to remove uncertainty before the recording begins.

What Happens After I Send My Script and Pronunciation Guide?

The typical process is:

1. You send the script and available pronunciation guidance.

2. Words requiring special attention are identified.

3. Any unclear pronunciations can be clarified.

4. Voice direction and project requirements are considered.

5. The final approved script and pronunciation guidance are confirmed.

6. The script is professionally recorded using the agreed pronunciations.

7. The completed audio is prepared and delivered.

The exact process depends on the project.

Send Your Script and Pronunciation Notes for Recording

If your script contains names, brands, places, acronyms or specialist terminology, send the relevant pronunciation guidance with your project.

Tell me:

• Which words require particular attention

• How they should be pronounced

• Whether any alternative pronunciations should be avoided

• Whether audio references are available

• How you want the overall voice to sound

• When you need the completed recording

Clear pronunciation information helps establish the intended spoken version before recording begins.

Send your script and pronunciation notes through the Spencer Cork contact page.

You can also send a script and voice direction for recording, send a draft script for voice over review, send a voice over script for a demo read, send a script and book a voice over recording, or visit the Spencer Cork Voice Over homepage.