Dictionary Best Practices
Follow these eight tips to get the most out of your TalkWriter dictionary. Each one improves transcription accuracy, saves time, and keeps your dictionary organized.
The Top 8 Checklist
1. Add Words the Moment You Spot an Error
When TalkWriter mistranscribes a word, add it to your dictionary immediately. Do not wait.
Rule of thumb: If a word gets transcribed wrong twice, it belongs in your dictionary.
2. Always Add Pronunciation Hints for Unusual Words
If a word is spelled differently than it sounds, add a phonetic hint:
| Word | Pronunciation Hint |
|---|---|
| Nguyen | "win" |
| Worcestershire | "wuster-sher" |
| Siobhan | "shiv-awn" |
| Fjord | "fee-ord" |
3. Start Snippet Triggers with a Symbol
Prefix triggers with /, ;, or another symbol to avoid accidental matches:
| Bad Trigger | Good Trigger | Why |
|---|---|---|
sig | /sig | "sig" is a common syllable that could match during speech |
addr | /addr | Prevents false expansions during normal dictation |
note | /note | "note" is a real word you might say |
4. Capitalize Words Exactly as You Want Them
TalkWriter uses the exact capitalization you enter:
TalkWriter(nottalkwriterorTalkwriter)iPhone(notiphoneorIphone)PostgreSQL(notPostgresql)
5. Export Regular Backups
Your dictionary represents hours of training. Export it as a CSV at least once a month.
- Go to Settings > Dictionary
- Click Export
- Save the file somewhere safe (ideally a cloud folder)
Set a monthly reminder to export your dictionary. If you ever need to reinstall TalkWriter, you can import everything back in seconds.
6. Use Tags to Stay Organized
Once your dictionary grows past a few hundred words, tags become essential. Group words by project, client, industry, or category for easy filtering.
7. Review and Remove Outdated Words
Old client names, retired products, and words from completed projects add noise. Review your dictionary quarterly and remove anything you no longer need.
8. Install Specialized Packs Before Adding Manually
Before adding medical, legal, or technical terms one by one, check if a Specialized Dictionary Pack covers your field. It can save hours of manual entry.
This feature requires TalkWriter Pro or Enterprise. Upgrade
Quick Reference
| Practice | Effort | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Add words immediately | Low | High |
| Use pronunciation hints | Low | High |
| Prefix snippet triggers | Low | Medium |
| Capitalize correctly | Low | High |
| Export backups | Low | Critical |
| Use tags | Medium | Medium |
| Review quarterly | Medium | Medium |
| Use specialized packs | Low | High |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No pronunciation hints | Unusual words stay misheard | Add a phonetic hint for every non-standard word |
| Generic snippet triggers | Accidental expansions during speech | Use prefixes like / or ; |
| Never exporting | Risk of data loss | Export monthly, store in cloud |
| Adding every word | Dictionary becomes cluttered | Only add words that are actually misheard |
| Ignoring duplicates | Confusion and wasted space | Sort and deduplicate periodically |
FAQ
How often should I review my dictionary? A monthly five-minute review is sufficient for most users. Quarterly deep cleans work well for large dictionaries.
Should I add common English words? No. Only add words that TalkWriter consistently misrecognizes. The built-in vocabulary already covers standard English.
What is the single most impactful thing I can do? Add pronunciation hints. A word with a good pronunciation hint is recognized correctly almost every time.