---
title: "speechSynthesizer(_:didStart:)"
framework: avfaudio
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "avfaudio/avspeechsynthesizerdelegate/speechsynthesizer(_:didstart:)"
---

# speechSynthesizer(_:didStart:)

Tells the delegate when the synthesizer begins speaking an utterance.

## Declaration

```swift
optional func speechSynthesizer(_ synthesizer: AVSpeechSynthesizer, didStart utterance: AVSpeechUtterance)
```

## Parameters

- `synthesizer`: The speech synthesizer that starts speaking the utterance.
- `utterance`: The utterance that the speech synthesizer starts speaking.

## Discussion

Discussion If the utterance’s preUtteranceDelay property is greater than zero, the system calls this method after the delay completes and speech begins.

## See Also

### Responding to speech synthesis events

- [speechSynthesizer(_:willSpeakRangeOfSpeechString:utterance:)](avfaudio/avspeechsynthesizerdelegate/speechsynthesizer(_:willspeakrangeofspeechstring:utterance:).md)
- [speechSynthesizer(_:willSpeak:utterance:)](avfaudio/avspeechsynthesizerdelegate/speechsynthesizer(_:willspeak:utterance:).md)
- [speechSynthesizer(_:didPause:)](avfaudio/avspeechsynthesizerdelegate/speechsynthesizer(_:didpause:).md)
- [speechSynthesizer(_:didContinue:)](avfaudio/avspeechsynthesizerdelegate/speechsynthesizer(_:didcontinue:).md)
- [speechSynthesizer(_:didFinish:)](avfaudio/avspeechsynthesizerdelegate/speechsynthesizer(_:didfinish:).md)
- [speechSynthesizer(_:didCancel:)](avfaudio/avspeechsynthesizerdelegate/speechsynthesizer(_:didcancel:).md)