A word meaning explanation request to a word in document data, which is output as speech, is input from a user instruction input unit. When the word meaning explanation request is input, a text analysis unit analyzes already output document data, which is output as speech immediately before the word meaning explanation request is input. A word meaning search unit searches for a word meaning comment corresponding to a word meaning explanation request objective word obtained based on the analysis result. The word meaning comment is output.
Apparatus, method, and program for speech synthesis with capability of providing word meaning immediately upon request by a user