Support Linguist Text to Speech (TTS) - Italian/Spanish/Brazilian Portuguese

Covalen; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 38,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid-working model

Extensive Training & Development.

Internal career progression

Employee assistance programme (EAP).

Hive medical cash plan.

PRSA Scheme.

Employee engagement initiatives

Bike to work scheme.

Job summary

Covalen is seeking a detail-oriented Support Linguist for Text-to-Speech (TTS) to enhance speech technologies. You will evaluate linguistic and audio quality, contribute to text normalization, and identify language-specific challenges using datasets and guidelines for accuracy.

Ideal candidates have strong linguistic knowledge, sharp attention to detail, and experience with Pandas/Regex/Python to support daily data-processing tasks. Hybrid work model and global client projects await.

Qualifications

• Native or near-native speaker of the target language with fluent English (C1).
• Degree in Linguistics or related field or demonstrated IPA knowledge.
• Working knowledge of Pandas, Regex, and text-processing tools.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate linguistic and audio quality of Text-to-Speech outputs.
• Support improvements in the TTS pipeline, including text normalization and pronunciation prediction.
• Identify language-specific challenges and propose test scenarios to evaluate them.
• Perform data quality checks and improve linguistic datasets.
• Analyse text and linguistic datasets to identify patterns, errors and improvement opportunities.
• Use text-processing and data-analysis techniques to analyze linguistic data.

Skills

Strong analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Excellent communication

Fluent English

Language evaluation

Education

Linguistics degree

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

IPA knowledge

Tools

Pandas

Regex

Python

Job description

Covalen u2013 COVALEN Support Linguist u2013 Text to Speech (TTS) Job Description

Reporting to:

Team Leader

Desk/Dept. Specific:

Operations Department

At Covalen, we're not just a business process outsourcing (BPO) service provider u2013 we're industry pioneers collaborating with organizations worldwide for over 25 years. From established sectors to cutting-edge industries, our tailored BPO solutions forge powerful partnerships, helping clients achieve their unique goals. We've built enduring relationships in Financial Services, Technology, and Utilities, working with some of the globe's largest and most forward-thinking companies.

Job Description:

We are looking for detail orientated candidates for the role of Support Linguist u2013 Text to Speech (TTS) to support the improvement of speech technologies by evaluating linguistic and audio quality, contributing to text normalization processes, and identifying language-specific challenges.

The candidate must possess strong linguistic knowledge, excellent attention to detail, and strong analytical and communication skills. They will be flexible and analytical with the ability to understand language structures, interpret datasets, and apply predefined guidelines to ensure accuracy and quality of output. Experience working with Pandas, regular expressions (Regex), Python, or similar data and text-processing tools is particularly valuable, as these are relevant to the day-to-day activities of the role.

Our client is a global social networking company that develops platforms enabling people to connect and share ideas, photos, videos, and experiences through mobile devices, personal computers, and other digital surfaces.

You will work in a fast-paced environment where accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail are essential. Employees are expected to work within and promote our Company Values: Be Brave, Be Wise, Be Proud and Exceed.

Duties And Responsibilities

As a Support Linguist for Text-to-Speech , you will contribute to improving the quality and performance of speech technologies in your language of expertise.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluate linguistic and audio quality of Text-to-Speech outputs.
• Support improvements in the TTS pipeline, including text normalization and pronunciation prediction.
• Identify language-specific challenges and propose test scenarios to evaluate them.
• Perform data quality checks and contribute to improving linguistic datasets.
• Analyse text and linguistic datasets to identify patterns, errors, and opportunities for improvement.
• Use text-processing and data-analysis techniques to support linguistic investigations and quality checks.

Prior to Launch

• Create and maintain regression tests for each locale within the language.
• Develop and maintain text normalization test sets.
• Source and review datasets used to train text normalization systems.
• Develop text normalization rules to ensure accuracy against defined test sets.
• Create and maintain pronunciation datasets used for grapheme-to-phoneme (G2P) evaluation.
• Identify and resolve language-specific challenges such as grammatical gender, word stress, segmentation, tone prediction, and inflection.
• Perform targeted data quality checks and audio evaluations.
• Use structured data and text-processing techniques, including Pandas and regular expressions (Regex) where applicable, to analyse and validate linguistic data.

After Launch

• Investigate and resolve language-related issues reported through the Linguist Runbook.
• Continue improving text normalization and linguistic rules.
• Ensure voice deployments pass capability testing as part of the launch review process.
• Perform ongoing audio evaluations to ensure consistent quality.

Essential Competencies:

We're seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds with a passion for language and technology.

Essential competencies needed for this role are:

• Native or near-native speaker of the target language with fluent English. (C1)
• High attention to detail and strong analytical thinking.
• Ability to evaluate linguistic and speech outputs objectively.
• Strong spoken comprehension and ability to assess audio quality.
• Ability to work with structured datasets and follow testing guidelines.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Comfortable working with digital tools and data workflows.
• Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Target languages: French, German, Hindi, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese.

Candidate Experience:

• Degree in Linguistics or a related field or demonstrated knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
• Education: Bacheloru2019s degree or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of Pandas for reviewing, filtering, manipulating, and analysing structured datasets.
• Working knowledge of regular expressions (Regex) for text processing, pattern matching, and validation.
• Native or near-native proficiency in one of the target languages.
• Computational experience or strong interest in speech and language technologies, including working with structured text datasets and text-processing tools.
• Experience with linguistic analysis, data annotation, or speech technologies is advantageous.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while meeting project deadlines.

Additional skills that are advantageous:

• Basic command line or Linux experience.
• Some Python experience.

Benefits and Perks:

• Hybrid-working model
• Extensive Training & Development.
• Internal career progression opportunities.
• Employee assistance programme (EAP).
• Hive medical cash plan.
• PRSA Scheme.
• Employee engagement initiatives
• Bike to work scheme.

What would you bring?

As a valued team member, you'll play a crucial role in delivering customized BPO solutions, ensuring our clients achieve consistent high performance and meet their strategic objectives. Your expertise will contribute to our legacy of success in providing outsourced solutions for Fortune 500 companies.

Equal opportunity employer:

At Covalen, we champion diversity and equality, anchoring our workplace cultures and creative minds. We recognize the collective strength found in the diverse backgrounds, skills, and experiences of our team members. Our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment transcends gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, and membership in the Travelling community.