Merge pull request #146 from olandir/131wVoiceTags

Voice Tags and Word Substitution Added to Main Script

.gitignore

@@ -38,3 +38,4 @@ dist/
 .old/
 test_assets/
 dev_notes/
+.claude/

abogen/pyqt/conversion.py

@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ from abogen.subtitle_utils import (
     get_sample_voice_text,
     sanitize_name_for_os,
     _CHAPTER_MARKER_SEARCH_PATTERN,
+    _VOICE_MARKER_PATTERN,
+    _VOICE_MARKER_SEARCH_PATTERN,
+    split_text_by_voice_markers,
+    validate_voice_name,
 )
 
 class CountdownDialog(QDialog):
@@ -296,6 +300,31 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
         self.use_spacy_segmentation = True  # Default, will be overridden from GUI
         # Set split pattern based on language and subtitle mode
         self.split_pattern = self._get_split_pattern(lang_code, subtitle_mode)
+        self.voice_cache = {}  # Cache for loaded voices
+
+    def load_voice_cached(self, voice_name, tts):
+        """Load voice with caching to avoid reloading same voice.
+
+        Args:
+            voice_name: Voice name or formula string
+            tts: TTS pipeline instance
+
+        Returns:
+            Loaded voice tensor or voice name string
+        """
+        # Check cache first
+        if voice_name in self.voice_cache:
+            return self.voice_cache[voice_name]
+
+        # Load voice
+        if "*" in voice_name:
+            loaded_voice = get_new_voice(tts, voice_name, self.use_gpu)
+        else:
+            loaded_voice = voice_name
+
+        # Cache it
+        self.voice_cache[voice_name] = loaded_voice
+        return loaded_voice
 
     def _stream_audio_in_chunks(
         self, segments, process_func, progress_prefix="Processing"
@@ -524,6 +553,26 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
             # Clean up text using utility function
             text = clean_text(text)
 
+            # Apply word substitutions if enabled
+            if getattr(self, "word_substitutions_enabled", False):
+                from abogen.word_substitution import apply_word_substitutions
+
+                self.log_updated.emit("Applying word substitutions...")
+
+                substitutions_list = getattr(self, "word_substitutions_list", "")
+                case_sensitive = getattr(self, "case_sensitive_substitutions", False)
+                replace_caps = getattr(self, "replace_all_caps", False)
+                replace_nums = getattr(self, "replace_numerals", False)
+                fix_punct = getattr(self, "fix_nonstandard_punctuation", False)
+
+                text = apply_word_substitutions(
+                    text,
+                    substitutions_list,
+                    case_sensitive,
+                    replace_caps,
+                    replace_nums,
+                    fix_punct,
+                )
 
             # --- Chapter splitting logic ---
             # Use pre-compiled pattern for better performance
@@ -550,6 +599,42 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
                 chapters = [("text", text)]
             total_chapters = len(chapters)
 
+            # --- Voice marker splitting logic ---
+            # Split each chapter by voice markers, preserving voice state across chapters
+            chapters_with_voices = []
+            current_voice = self.voice  # Start with default voice
+            total_valid_markers = 0
+            total_invalid_markers = 0
+
+            for chapter_name, chapter_text in chapters:
+                # Use current_voice as the starting voice for this chapter
+                voice_segments, last_voice, valid_count, invalid_count = split_text_by_voice_markers(chapter_text, current_voice)
+                chapters_with_voices.append((chapter_name, voice_segments))
+
+                # Update current_voice so next chapter continues with this voice
+                current_voice = last_voice
+
+                # Track total valid/invalid markers
+                total_valid_markers += valid_count
+                total_invalid_markers += invalid_count
+
+            # Log voice marker information with accurate counts
+            total_markers = total_valid_markers + total_invalid_markers
+            if total_markers > 0:
+                if total_invalid_markers == 0:
+                    # All markers were valid
+                    self.log_updated.emit(
+                        (f"\nDetected {total_markers} voice marker(s) - all valid", "grey")
+                    )
+                else:
+                    # Some markers were invalid
+                    self.log_updated.emit(
+                        (f"\nDetected {total_markers} voice marker(s) - {total_valid_markers} valid, {total_invalid_markers} invalid (using previous voice)", "orange")
+                    )
+
+            # Replace chapters with the new structure
+            chapters = chapters_with_voices
+
             # For text files with chapters, prompt user for options if not already set
             is_txt_file = not self.is_direct_text and (
                 self.file_name.lower().endswith(".txt")
@@ -842,7 +927,7 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
                 ]
                 srt_index = 1  # SRT numbering fix for chapter-only mode
             # Instead of processing the whole text, process by chapter
-            for chapter_idx, (chapter_name, chapter_text) in enumerate(chapters, 1):
+            for chapter_idx, (chapter_name, voice_segments) in enumerate(chapters, 1):
                 chapter_out_path = None
                 chapter_out_file = None
                 chapter_ffmpeg_proc = None
@@ -862,11 +947,6 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
                 if merge_chapters_at_end:
                     chapter_time["start"] = current_time
 
-                # Check if the voice is a formula and load it if necessary
-                if "*" in self.voice:
-                    loaded_voice = get_new_voice(tts, self.voice, self.use_gpu)
-                else:
-                    loaded_voice = self.voice
                 # Prepare per-chapter output file if needed
                 if save_chapters_separately and total_chapters > 1:
                     # First pass: keep alphanumeric, spaces, hyphens, and underscores
@@ -986,6 +1066,22 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
                     chapter_subtitle_path = None
                     chapter_subtitle_file = None
 
+
+                # Process each voice segment within the chapter
+                for segment_idx, (voice_name, segment_text) in enumerate(voice_segments):
+                    # Load voice for this segment (with caching)
+                    try:
+                        loaded_voice = self.load_voice_cached(voice_name, tts)
+                        if segment_idx > 0:
+                            voice_display = voice_name if len(voice_name) < 50 else voice_name[:47] + "..."
+                            self.log_updated.emit((f"  → Voice: {voice_display}", "grey"))
+                    except Exception:
+                        self.log_updated.emit(
+                            (f"⚠ Voice loading error for '{voice_name}', continuing with previous", "orange")
+                        )
+                        if segment_idx == 0:
+                            loaded_voice = self.load_voice_cached(self.voice, tts)
+
                     # Determine if spaCy segmentation should be used for PRE-TTS segmentation
                     # Only non-English languages use spaCy for pre-segmentation
                     # English uses spaCy only for subtitle generation (post-TTS)
@@ -1034,7 +1130,7 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
                         from abogen.spacy_utils import segment_sentences
 
                         spacy_sentences = segment_sentences(
-                        chapter_text,
+                            segment_text,
                             self.lang_code,
                             log_callback=lambda msg: self.log_updated.emit(msg),
                         )
@@ -1060,7 +1156,7 @@ class ConversionThread(QThread):
                             )
 
                     # Process text - either as spaCy sentences or as single text
-                text_segments = spacy_sentences if spacy_sentences else [chapter_text]
+                    text_segments = spacy_sentences if spacy_sentences else [segment_text]
 
                     # Print active split pattern used by the TTS engine once for this batch
                     try:

abogen/pyqt/gui.py

@@ -665,6 +665,11 @@ class TextboxDialog(QDialog):
         self.insert_chapter_btn.clicked.connect(self.insert_chapter_marker)
         button_layout.addWidget(self.insert_chapter_btn)
 
+        self.insert_voice_btn = QPushButton("Insert Voice Marker", self)
+        self.insert_voice_btn.setToolTip("Insert a voice change marker at the cursor position")
+        self.insert_voice_btn.clicked.connect(self.insert_voice_marker)
+        button_layout.addWidget(self.insert_voice_btn)
+
         self.cancel_button = QPushButton("Cancel", self)
         self.cancel_button.clicked.connect(self.reject)
 
@@ -767,6 +772,23 @@ class TextboxDialog(QDialog):
         self.update_char_count()
         self.text_edit.setFocus()
 
+    def insert_voice_marker(self):
+        """Insert a voice marker template at cursor position."""
+        cursor = self.text_edit.textCursor()
+        # Use the currently selected voice as the default
+        try:
+            parent_window = self.parent()
+            if parent_window and hasattr(parent_window, 'selected_voice'):
+                default_voice = parent_window.selected_voice or "af_heart"
+            else:
+                default_voice = "af_heart"
+        except Exception:
+            default_voice = "af_heart"
+        cursor.insertText(f"\n<<VOICE:{default_voice}>>\n")
+        self.text_edit.setTextCursor(cursor)
+        self.update_char_count()
+        self.text_edit.setFocus()
+
 
 def migrate_subtitle_format(config):
     """Convert old subtitle_format values to new internal keys."""
@@ -783,6 +805,108 @@ def migrate_subtitle_format(config):
         save_config(config)
 
 
+class WordSubstitutionsDialog(QDialog):
+    """Dialog for configuring word substitutions and text preprocessing options."""
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        parent=None,
+        initial_list="",
+        initial_case_sensitive=False,
+        initial_caps=False,
+        initial_numerals=False,
+        initial_punctuation=False,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(parent)
+        self.setWindowTitle("Word Substitutions Settings")
+        self.setWindowFlags(
+            Qt.WindowType.Window
+            | Qt.WindowType.WindowCloseButtonHint
+            | Qt.WindowType.WindowMaximizeButtonHint
+        )
+        self.resize(600, 500)
+
+        layout = QVBoxLayout(self)
+
+        # Instructions
+        instructions = QLabel(
+            "Enter word substitutions (one per line) in format: Word|NewWord\n"
+            "  - If nothing after |, the word will be erased completely\n"
+            "  - Substitutions match whole words only (e.g., \"tree\" won't match \"trees\" but will match \"tree's\")\n"
+            "  - By default, matching is case-insensitive (e.g., \"gonna\" matches \"Gonna\", \"GONNA\", etc.)",
+            self,
+        )
+        instructions.setStyleSheet(
+            "padding: 10px; background-color: #f0f0f0; border-radius: 5px;"
+        )
+        instructions.setWordWrap(True)
+        layout.addWidget(instructions)
+
+        # Text edit area
+        self.text_edit = QTextEdit(self)
+        self.text_edit.setAcceptRichText(False)
+        self.text_edit.setPlaceholderText("Word|NewWord")
+        self.text_edit.setPlainText(initial_list)
+        layout.addWidget(self.text_edit)
+
+        # Checkboxes
+        self.case_sensitive_checkbox = QCheckBox(
+            "Case-sensitive word matching", self
+        )
+        self.case_sensitive_checkbox.setChecked(initial_case_sensitive)
+        layout.addWidget(self.case_sensitive_checkbox)
+
+        self.caps_checkbox = QCheckBox("Replace ALL CAPS with lowercase", self)
+        self.caps_checkbox.setChecked(initial_caps)
+        layout.addWidget(self.caps_checkbox)
+
+        self.numerals_checkbox = QCheckBox(
+            "Replace Numerals with Words (e.g., 309 \u2192 three hundred and nine)", self
+        )
+        self.numerals_checkbox.setChecked(initial_numerals)
+        layout.addWidget(self.numerals_checkbox)
+
+        self.punctuation_checkbox = QCheckBox(
+            "Fix Nonstandard Punctuation (curly quotes and other Unicode punctuation that may affect how words sound)",
+            self,
+        )
+        self.punctuation_checkbox.setChecked(initial_punctuation)
+        layout.addWidget(self.punctuation_checkbox)
+
+        # Buttons
+        button_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        self.cancel_button = QPushButton("Cancel", self)
+        self.cancel_button.clicked.connect(self.reject)
+        self.ok_button = QPushButton("OK", self)
+        self.ok_button.setDefault(True)
+        self.ok_button.clicked.connect(self.accept)
+
+        button_layout.addStretch()
+        button_layout.addWidget(self.cancel_button)
+        button_layout.addWidget(self.ok_button)
+        layout.addLayout(button_layout)
+
+    def get_substitutions_list(self):
+        """Get the substitutions list as plain text."""
+        return self.text_edit.toPlainText()
+
+    def get_case_sensitive(self):
+        """Get whether case-sensitive matching is enabled."""
+        return self.case_sensitive_checkbox.isChecked()
+
+    def get_replace_all_caps(self):
+        """Get whether ALL CAPS replacement is enabled."""
+        return self.caps_checkbox.isChecked()
+
+    def get_replace_numerals(self):
+        """Get whether numeral-to-word conversion is enabled."""
+        return self.numerals_checkbox.isChecked()
+
+    def get_fix_nonstandard_punctuation(self):
+        """Get whether nonstandard punctuation fixing is enabled."""
+        return self.punctuation_checkbox.isChecked()
+
+
 class abogen(QWidget):
     def __init__(self):
         super().__init__()
@@ -833,6 +957,19 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
         self.use_silent_gaps = self.config.get("use_silent_gaps", True)
         self.subtitle_speed_method = self.config.get("subtitle_speed_method", "tts")
         self.use_spacy_segmentation = self.config.get("use_spacy_segmentation", True)
+        # Word substitution settings
+        self.word_substitutions_enabled = self.config.get(
+            "word_substitutions_enabled", False
+        )
+        self.word_substitutions_list = self.config.get("word_substitutions_list", "")
+        self.case_sensitive_substitutions = self.config.get(
+            "case_sensitive_substitutions", False
+        )
+        self.replace_all_caps = self.config.get("replace_all_caps", False)
+        self.replace_numerals = self.config.get("replace_numerals", False)
+        self.fix_nonstandard_punctuation = self.config.get(
+            "fix_nonstandard_punctuation", False
+        )
         self._pending_close_event = None
         self.gpu_ok = False  # Initialize GPU availability status
 
@@ -1071,6 +1208,35 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
         subtitle_layout.addWidget(self.subtitle_combo)
         controls_layout.addLayout(subtitle_layout)
 
+        # Word Substitutions section
+        word_sub_layout = QHBoxLayout()
+        word_sub_layout.setSpacing(7)
+        word_sub_label = QLabel("Word Substitutions:", self)
+        word_sub_layout.addWidget(word_sub_label)
+
+        self.word_sub_combo = QComboBox(self)
+        self.word_sub_combo.addItems(["Disabled", "Enabled"])
+        self.word_sub_combo.setStyleSheet(
+            "QComboBox { min-height: 20px; padding: 6px 12px; }"
+        )
+        self.word_sub_combo.setSizePolicy(
+            QSizePolicy.Policy.Expanding, QSizePolicy.Policy.Fixed
+        )
+        self.word_sub_combo.setCurrentText(
+            "Enabled" if self.word_substitutions_enabled else "Disabled"
+        )
+        self.word_sub_combo.currentTextChanged.connect(self.on_word_sub_changed)
+        word_sub_layout.addWidget(self.word_sub_combo)
+
+        self.btn_word_sub_settings = QPushButton("Settings", self)
+        self.btn_word_sub_settings.setFixedSize(80, 36)
+        self.btn_word_sub_settings.setStyleSheet("QPushButton { padding: 6px 12px; }")
+        self.btn_word_sub_settings.clicked.connect(self.show_word_sub_dialog)
+        self.btn_word_sub_settings.setEnabled(self.word_substitutions_enabled)
+        word_sub_layout.addWidget(self.btn_word_sub_settings)
+
+        controls_layout.addLayout(word_sub_layout)
+
         # Output voice format
         format_layout = QHBoxLayout()
         format_layout.setSpacing(7)
@@ -2015,6 +2181,21 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
                 self.subtitle_speed_method = getattr(
                     queued_item, "subtitle_speed_method", "tts"
                 )
+                # Word substitution settings
+                self.word_substitutions_enabled = getattr(
+                    queued_item, "word_substitutions_enabled", False
+                )
+                self.word_substitutions_list = getattr(
+                    queued_item, "word_substitutions_list", ""
+                )
+                self.case_sensitive_substitutions = getattr(
+                    queued_item, "case_sensitive_substitutions", False
+                )
+                self.replace_all_caps = getattr(queued_item, "replace_all_caps", False)
+                self.replace_numerals = getattr(queued_item, "replace_numerals", False)
+                self.fix_nonstandard_punctuation = getattr(
+                    queued_item, "fix_nonstandard_punctuation", False
+                )
 
                 # This ensures that if conversion.py (or utils) reads from config/disk
                 # instead of using passed arguments, it sees the correct queue values.
@@ -2023,6 +2204,13 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
                 self.config["selected_format"] = self.selected_format
                 self.config["use_silent_gaps"] = self.use_silent_gaps
                 self.config["subtitle_speed_method"] = self.subtitle_speed_method
+                # Word substitution settings
+                self.config["word_substitutions_enabled"] = self.word_substitutions_enabled
+                self.config["word_substitutions_list"] = self.word_substitutions_list
+                self.config["case_sensitive_substitutions"] = self.case_sensitive_substitutions
+                self.config["replace_all_caps"] = self.replace_all_caps
+                self.config["replace_numerals"] = self.replace_numerals
+                self.config["fix_nonstandard_punctuation"] = self.fix_nonstandard_punctuation
 
                 # Sync Voice/Profile in config
                 self.config["selected_voice"] = self.selected_voice
@@ -2179,6 +2367,21 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
             self.conversion_thread.subtitle_speed_method = self.subtitle_speed_method
             # Pass use_spacy_segmentation setting
             self.conversion_thread.use_spacy_segmentation = self.use_spacy_segmentation
+            # Pass word substitution settings
+            self.conversion_thread.word_substitutions_enabled = (
+                self.word_substitutions_enabled
+            )
+            self.conversion_thread.word_substitutions_list = (
+                self.word_substitutions_list
+            )
+            self.conversion_thread.case_sensitive_substitutions = (
+                self.case_sensitive_substitutions
+            )
+            self.conversion_thread.replace_all_caps = self.replace_all_caps
+            self.conversion_thread.replace_numerals = self.replace_numerals
+            self.conversion_thread.fix_nonstandard_punctuation = (
+                self.fix_nonstandard_punctuation
+            )
             # Pass separate_chapters_format setting
             self.conversion_thread.separate_chapters_format = (
                 self.separate_chapters_format
@@ -2927,6 +3130,41 @@ class abogen(QWidget):
         self.config["use_gpu"] = self.use_gpu
         save_config(self.config)
 
+    def on_word_sub_changed(self, text):
+        """Handle word substitution dropdown change."""
+        self.word_substitutions_enabled = text == "Enabled"
+        self.btn_word_sub_settings.setEnabled(self.word_substitutions_enabled)
+
+        # Save to config
+        self.config["word_substitutions_enabled"] = self.word_substitutions_enabled
+        save_config(self.config)
+
+    def show_word_sub_dialog(self):
+        """Show word substitutions settings dialog."""
+        dialog = WordSubstitutionsDialog(
+            self,
+            initial_list=self.word_substitutions_list,
+            initial_case_sensitive=self.case_sensitive_substitutions,
+            initial_caps=self.replace_all_caps,
+            initial_numerals=self.replace_numerals,
+            initial_punctuation=self.fix_nonstandard_punctuation,
+        )
+
+        if dialog.exec() == QDialog.DialogCode.Accepted:
+            self.word_substitutions_list = dialog.get_substitutions_list()
+            self.case_sensitive_substitutions = dialog.get_case_sensitive()
+            self.replace_all_caps = dialog.get_replace_all_caps()
+            self.replace_numerals = dialog.get_replace_numerals()
+            self.fix_nonstandard_punctuation = dialog.get_fix_nonstandard_punctuation()
+
+            # Save all settings to config
+            self.config["word_substitutions_list"] = self.word_substitutions_list
+            self.config["case_sensitive_substitutions"] = self.case_sensitive_substitutions
+            self.config["replace_all_caps"] = self.replace_all_caps
+            self.config["replace_numerals"] = self.replace_numerals
+            self.config["fix_nonstandard_punctuation"] = self.fix_nonstandard_punctuation
+            save_config(self.config)
+
     def cleanup_conversion_thread(self):
         # Stop conversion thread
         if (

abogen/pyqt/queue_manager_gui.py

@@ -35,6 +35,12 @@ OVERRIDE_FIELDS = [
     "replace_single_newlines",
     "use_silent_gaps",
     "subtitle_speed_method",
+    "word_substitutions_enabled",
+    "word_substitutions_list",
+    "case_sensitive_substitutions",
+    "replace_all_caps",
+    "replace_numerals",
+    "fix_nonstandard_punctuation",
 ]
 
 
@@ -474,6 +480,21 @@ class QueueManager(QDialog):
             attrs["subtitle_speed_method"] = getattr(
                 parent, "subtitle_speed_method", "tts"
             )
+            # word substitutions
+            attrs["word_substitutions_enabled"] = getattr(
+                parent, "word_substitutions_enabled", False
+            )
+            attrs["word_substitutions_list"] = getattr(
+                parent, "word_substitutions_list", ""
+            )
+            attrs["case_sensitive_substitutions"] = getattr(
+                parent, "case_sensitive_substitutions", False
+            )
+            attrs["replace_all_caps"] = getattr(parent, "replace_all_caps", False)
+            attrs["replace_numerals"] = getattr(parent, "replace_numerals", False)
+            attrs["fix_nonstandard_punctuation"] = getattr(
+                parent, "fix_nonstandard_punctuation", False
+            )
             # book handler options
             attrs["save_chapters_separately"] = getattr(
                 parent, "save_chapters_separately", None

abogen/pyqt/queued_item.py

@@ -19,3 +19,10 @@ class QueuedItem:
     save_base_path: str = None
     save_chapters_separately: bool = None
     merge_chapters_at_end: bool = None
+    # Word Substitution fields
+    word_substitutions_enabled: bool = False
+    word_substitutions_list: str = ""
+    case_sensitive_substitutions: bool = False
+    replace_all_caps: bool = False
+    replace_numerals: bool = False
+    fix_nonstandard_punctuation: bool = False

abogen/subtitle_utils.py

@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ _ASS_STYLING_PATTERN = re.compile(r"\{[^}]+\}")
 _ASS_NEWLINE_N_PATTERN = re.compile(r"\\N")
 _ASS_NEWLINE_LOWER_N_PATTERN = re.compile(r"\\n")
 _CHAPTER_MARKER_SEARCH_PATTERN = re.compile(r"<<CHAPTER_MARKER:(.*?)>>")
+_VOICE_MARKER_PATTERN = re.compile(r"<<VOICE:[^>]*>>")
+_VOICE_MARKER_SEARCH_PATTERN = re.compile(r"<<VOICE:(.*?)>>")
 _WEBVTT_HEADER_PATTERN = re.compile(r"^WEBVTT.*?\n", re.MULTILINE)
 _VTT_STYLE_PATTERN = re.compile(r"STYLE\s*\n.*?(?=\n\n|$)", re.DOTALL)
 _VTT_NOTE_PATTERN = re.compile(r"NOTE\s*\n.*?(?=\n\n|$)", re.DOTALL)
@@ -31,17 +33,19 @@ _LINUX_ILLEGAL_CHARS_PATTERN = re.compile(r"[/\x00]")
 
 
 def clean_subtitle_text(text):
-    """Remove chapter markers and metadata tags from subtitle text."""
+    """Remove chapter markers, voice markers, and metadata tags from subtitle text."""
     # Use pre-compiled patterns for better performance
     text = _METADATA_TAG_PATTERN.sub("", text)
     text = _CHAPTER_MARKER_PATTERN.sub("", text)
+    text = _VOICE_MARKER_PATTERN.sub("", text)
     return text.strip()
 
 
 def calculate_text_length(text):
     # Use pre-compiled patterns for better performance
-    # Ignore chapter markers and metadata patterns in a single pass
+    # Ignore chapter markers, voice markers, and metadata patterns in a single pass
     text = _CHAPTER_MARKER_PATTERN.sub("", text)
+    text = _VOICE_MARKER_PATTERN.sub("", text)
     text = _METADATA_TAG_PATTERN.sub("", text)
     # Ignore newlines and leading/trailing spaces
     text = text.replace("\n", "").strip()
@@ -459,3 +463,122 @@ def sanitize_name_for_os(name, is_folder=True):
         sanitized = sanitized[:255].rstrip(". ")
 
     return sanitized
+
+
+def validate_voice_name(voice_name):
+    """Validate voice name against VOICES_INTERNAL list (case-insensitive).
+    Handles both single voices and formulas like 'af_heart*0.5 + am_echo*0.5'.
+
+    Args:
+        voice_name: Voice name or formula string to validate
+
+    Returns:
+        Tuple of (is_valid, invalid_voice_name):
+            - is_valid: True if all voices in the name/formula are valid
+            - invalid_voice_name: The first invalid voice found, or None if all valid
+    """
+    from abogen.constants import VOICES_INTERNAL
+
+    # Create case-insensitive lookup set (done once per call)
+    voice_lookup_lower = {v.lower() for v in VOICES_INTERNAL}
+    voice_name = voice_name.strip()
+
+    # Check if it's a formula (contains *)
+    if "*" in voice_name:
+        # Extract voice names from formula
+        voices = voice_name.split("+")
+        for term in voices:
+            if "*" in term:
+                base_voice = term.split("*")[0].strip()
+                # Case-insensitive comparison
+                if base_voice.lower() not in voice_lookup_lower:
+                    return False, base_voice
+        return True, None
+    else:
+        # Single voice - case-insensitive comparison
+        if voice_name.lower() not in voice_lookup_lower:
+            return False, voice_name
+        return True, None
+
+
+def split_text_by_voice_markers(text, default_voice):
+    """Split text by voice markers, returning list of (voice, text) tuples.
+
+    IMPORTANT: Returns the last voice used so it can persist across chapters.
+    Voice names are normalized to lowercase to match VOICES_INTERNAL.
+
+    Args:
+        text: Text potentially containing <<VOICE:name>> markers
+        default_voice: Voice to use if no markers found or before first marker
+
+    Returns:
+        Tuple of (segments_list, last_voice_used, valid_count, invalid_count):
+            - segments_list: List of (voice_name, segment_text) tuples
+            - last_voice_used: The voice that should continue into next chapter
+            - valid_count: Number of valid voice markers processed
+            - invalid_count: Number of invalid voice markers skipped
+    """
+    from abogen.constants import VOICES_INTERNAL
+
+    voice_splits = list(_VOICE_MARKER_SEARCH_PATTERN.finditer(text))
+
+    if not voice_splits:
+        # No voice markers, return entire text with default voice
+        return [(default_voice, text)], default_voice, 0, 0
+
+    segments = []
+    current_voice = default_voice
+    valid_markers = 0
+    invalid_markers = 0
+
+    # Text before first marker uses default voice
+    first_start = voice_splits[0].start()
+    if first_start > 0:
+        intro_text = text[:first_start].strip()
+        if intro_text:
+            segments.append((current_voice, intro_text))
+
+    # Process each voice marker
+    for idx, match in enumerate(voice_splits):
+        voice_name = match.group(1).strip()
+        start = match.end()
+        end = voice_splits[idx + 1].start() if idx + 1 < len(voice_splits) else len(text)
+        segment_text = text[start:end].strip()
+
+        # Validate voice name
+        is_valid, invalid_voice = validate_voice_name(voice_name)
+        if is_valid:
+            # Normalize to lowercase to match canonical form
+            # Handle both single voices and formulas
+            if "*" in voice_name:
+                # Normalize each voice in the formula
+                normalized_parts = []
+                for part in voice_name.split("+"):
+                    part = part.strip()
+                    if "*" in part:
+                        voice_part, weight = part.split("*", 1)
+                        # Find the canonical (lowercase) voice name
+                        voice_part_lower = voice_part.strip().lower()
+                        canonical_voice = next(
+                            (v for v in VOICES_INTERNAL if v.lower() == voice_part_lower),
+                            voice_part.strip()
+                        )
+                        normalized_parts.append(f"{canonical_voice}*{weight.strip()}")
+                current_voice = " + ".join(normalized_parts)
+            else:
+                # Find the canonical (lowercase) voice name
+                voice_name_lower = voice_name.lower()
+                current_voice = next(
+                    (v for v in VOICES_INTERNAL if v.lower() == voice_name_lower),
+                    voice_name
+                )
+            valid_markers += 1
+        else:
+            # Invalid voice - stay with previous voice
+            invalid_markers += 1
+
+        if segment_text:
+            segments.append((current_voice, segment_text))
+
+    # Return segments, last voice, and counts
+    return segments, current_voice, valid_markers, invalid_markers

abogen/word_substitution.py

@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+"""
+Word substitution module for text-to-speech preprocessing.
+
+This module provides functionality to:
+- Replace words/phrases with custom text
+- Convert ALL CAPS to lowercase
+- Convert numerals to words
+- Fix nonstandard punctuation for TTS compatibility
+
+All substitutions preserve special markers (chapter, voice, metadata, timestamps).
+"""
+
+import re
+
+from abogen.subtitle_utils import (
+    _CHAPTER_MARKER_PATTERN,
+    _VOICE_MARKER_PATTERN,
+    _METADATA_TAG_PATTERN,
+    _TIMESTAMP_ONLY_PATTERN,
+)
+
+
+def apply_word_substitutions(
+    text,
+    substitutions_list_str,
+    case_sensitive=False,
+    replace_all_caps=False,
+    replace_numerals=False,
+    fix_nonstandard_punctuation=False,
+):
+    """
+    Apply word substitutions to text while preserving markers.
+
+    Args:
+        text: Input text
+        substitutions_list_str: Newline-separated "Word|NewWord" pairs
+        case_sensitive: If True, match words case-sensitively
+        replace_all_caps: Convert ALL CAPS words to lowercase
+        replace_numerals: Convert numbers to words
+        fix_nonstandard_punctuation: Fix curly quotes, em/en dashes, etc.
+
+    Returns:
+        Modified text
+    """
+    # Apply nonstandard punctuation fixes FIRST (if enabled)
+    if fix_nonstandard_punctuation:
+        text = fix_punctuation(text)
+
+    # Parse substitutions list
+    substitutions = parse_substitutions_list(substitutions_list_str)
+
+    # Split text into segments (markers vs content)
+    segments = split_text_preserving_markers(text)
+
+    # Process each segment
+    processed_segments = []
+    for segment_type, segment_text in segments:
+        if segment_type == "marker":
+            # Preserve markers unchanged
+            processed_segments.append(segment_text)
+        else:
+            # Apply substitutions to content
+            processed_text = segment_text
+
+            # Apply word substitutions
+            if substitutions:
+                processed_text = apply_word_replacements(
+                    processed_text, substitutions, case_sensitive
+                )
+
+            # Apply ALL CAPS conversion
+            if replace_all_caps:
+                processed_text = convert_all_caps_to_lowercase(processed_text)
+
+            # Apply numeral conversion
+            if replace_numerals:
+                processed_text = convert_numerals_to_words(processed_text)
+
+            processed_segments.append(processed_text)
+
+    return "".join(processed_segments)
+
+
+def parse_substitutions_list(substitutions_str):
+    """
+    Parse newline-separated "Word|NewWord" format.
+
+    Args:
+        substitutions_str: String with substitutions, one per line
+
+    Returns:
+        List of tuples: [(word, replacement), ...]
+    """
+    substitutions = []
+    for line in substitutions_str.strip().split("\n"):
+        line = line.strip()
+        if not line or "|" not in line:
+            continue
+
+        parts = line.split("|", 1)
+        if len(parts) == 2:
+            word = parts[0].strip()
+            replacement = parts[1].strip()
+            if word:  # Only add if word is not empty
+                substitutions.append((word, replacement))
+
+    return substitutions
+
+
+def split_text_preserving_markers(text):
+    """
+    Split text into segments alternating between markers and content.
+
+    Args:
+        text: Input text with potential markers
+
+    Returns:
+        List of tuples: [("marker"|"content", text), ...]
+    """
+    # Combined pattern for all markers and timestamps
+    marker_pattern = re.compile(
+        r"(<<CHAPTER_MARKER:[^>]*>>|<<VOICE:[^>]*>>|<<METADATA_[^:]+:[^>]*>>|\d{1,2}:\d{2}:\d{2}(?:[.,]\d{1,3})?)"
+    )
+
+    segments = []
+    last_end = 0
+
+    for match in marker_pattern.finditer(text):
+        # Content before marker
+        if match.start() > last_end:
+            segments.append(("content", text[last_end : match.start()]))
+
+        # Marker itself
+        segments.append(("marker", match.group(0)))
+        last_end = match.end()
+
+    # Remaining content after last marker
+    if last_end < len(text):
+        segments.append(("content", text[last_end:]))
+
+    return segments
+
+
+def apply_word_replacements(text, substitutions, case_sensitive=False):
+    """
+    Apply word substitutions using whole-word matching.
+
+    Args:
+        text: Input text
+        substitutions: List of (word, replacement) tuples
+        case_sensitive: If True, match case-sensitively
+
+    Returns:
+        Text with substitutions applied
+    """
+    for word, replacement in substitutions:
+        # Use word boundaries for exact matching
+        # Escape special regex characters
+        escaped_word = re.escape(word)
+        pattern = re.compile(
+            r"\b" + escaped_word + r"\b",
+            0 if case_sensitive else re.IGNORECASE,
+        )
+        text = pattern.sub(replacement, text)
+
+    return text
+
+
+def convert_all_caps_to_lowercase(text):
+    """
+    Convert ALL CAPS words to lowercase.
+
+    Args:
+        text: Input text
+
+    Returns:
+        Text with ALL CAPS converted to lowercase
+    """
+
+    def replace_caps(match):
+        word = match.group(0)
+        # Convert to lowercase
+        return word.lower()
+
+    # Match words that are ALL CAPS (2+ letters)
+    pattern = re.compile(r"\b[A-Z]{2,}\b")
+    return pattern.sub(replace_caps, text)
+
+
+def convert_numerals_to_words(text):
+    """
+    Convert numerals to words using num2words library.
+
+    Args:
+        text: Input text
+
+    Returns:
+        Text with numerals converted to words
+    """
+    try:
+        from num2words import num2words
+    except ImportError:
+        # If num2words not available, return unchanged
+        return text
+
+    def replace_number(match):
+        try:
+            number = int(match.group(0))
+            # Convert to words in English
+            return num2words(number)
+        except Exception:
+            # If conversion fails, return original
+            return match.group(0)
+
+    # Match integers (but not timestamps or other patterns)
+    # Negative lookbehind/ahead to avoid timestamps
+    pattern = re.compile(r"(?<!\d:)\b\d+\b(?!:\d)")
+    return pattern.sub(replace_number, text)
+
+
+def fix_punctuation(text):
+    """
+    Convert nonstandard punctuation to standard equivalents.
+
+    This helps TTS engines pronounce words correctly by converting:
+    - Curly quotes to straight quotes
+    - Ellipsis to three periods
+
+    Args:
+        text: Input text
+
+    Returns:
+        Text with nonstandard punctuation fixed
+    """
+    # Define replacements
+    replacements = {
+        # Curly double quotes
+        "\u201c": '"',  # Left double quotation mark
+        "\u201d": '"',  # Right double quotation mark
+        "\u201e": '"',  # Double low-9 quotation mark
+        # Curly single quotes
+        "\u2018": "'",  # Left single quotation mark
+        "\u2019": "'",  # Right single quotation mark
+        "\u201a": "'",  # Single low-9 quotation mark
+        "\u201b": "'",  # Single high-reversed-9 quotation mark
+        # Other punctuation
+        "\u2026": "...",  # Ellipsis
+    }
+
+    # Apply all replacements
+    for old_char, new_char in replacements.items():
+        text = text.replace(old_char, new_char)
+
+    return text