---
title: "startSpeaking(_:)"
framework: appkit
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "appkit/nsspeechsynthesizer/startspeaking(_:)"
---

# startSpeaking(_:)

Begins speaking synthesized text through the system’s default sound output device.

## Declaration

```swift
func startSpeaking(_ string: String) -> Bool
```

## Parameters

- `string`: Text to speak. When nil or empty, no synthesis occurs.

## Return Value

Return Value true when speaking starts successfully, false otherwise.

## Discussion

Discussion If the receiver is currently speaking synthesized speech when startSpeaking(_:) is called, that process is stopped before text is spoken. When synthesis of text finishes normally or is stopped, the message speechSynthesizer(_:didFinishSpeaking:) is sent to the delegate.

## See Also

### Synthesizing Speech

- [isSpeaking](appkit/nsspeechsynthesizer/isspeaking.md)
- [startSpeaking(_:to:)](appkit/nsspeechsynthesizer/startspeaking(_:to:).md)
- [pauseSpeaking(at:)](appkit/nsspeechsynthesizer/pausespeaking(at:).md)
- [continueSpeaking()](appkit/nsspeechsynthesizer/continuespeaking().md)
- [stopSpeaking()](appkit/nsspeechsynthesizer/stopspeaking().md)
- [stopSpeaking(at:)](appkit/nsspeechsynthesizer/stopspeaking(at:).md)
- [NSSpeechSynthesizer.Boundary](appkit/nsspeechsynthesizer/boundary.md)