> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/yocxy2/chatterboxyocxy/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Paralinguistic Tags

> Add natural non-speech sounds like laughter, coughs, and chuckles to your generated speech

Paralinguistic tags are native to Chatterbox Turbo, allowing you to insert natural non-speech sounds directly into your text. These tags add realism and expressiveness to voice agent conversations and narration.

<Note>
  Paralinguistic tags are **only available in Chatterbox Turbo**. They are not supported in the standard Chatterbox or multilingual models.
</Note>

## Available Tags

Chatterbox Turbo supports the following paralinguistic tags:

<Accordion title="[laugh] - Natural laughter">
  Use `[laugh]` to insert a full laugh into the speech. This creates a natural laughing sound.

  ```python theme={null}
  text = "That's the funniest thing I've heard all day! [laugh]"
  wav = model.generate(text)
  ```

  **Best for:** Moments of genuine amusement or humor
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="[chuckle] - Soft chuckling">
  Use `[chuckle]` to insert a softer, more subdued laugh. This is less pronounced than `[laugh]`.

  ```python theme={null}
  text = "Yeah, I know what you mean [chuckle], it happens to everyone."
  wav = model.generate(text)
  ```

  **Best for:** Light amusement, friendly conversation, or acknowledging irony
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="[cough] - Natural cough">
  Use `[cough]` to insert a coughing sound.

  ```python theme={null}
  text = "Sorry about that [cough], as I was saying..."
  wav = model.generate(text)
  ```

  **Best for:** Adding realism to character dialogue or simulating natural speech interruptions
</Accordion>

## Using Tags in Context

You can place tags anywhere in your text where you want the sound to occur. The model will naturally blend the paralinguistic sound with the surrounding speech.

### Mid-Sentence Placement

```python theme={null}
text = "Hi there, Sarah here from MochaFone calling you back [chuckle], have you got one minute to chat about the billing issue?"
wav = model.generate(text)
```

This example is taken directly from the Turbo model documentation and creates a friendly, conversational tone.

### End of Sentence

```python theme={null}
text = "Oh, that's hilarious! [chuckle] Um anyway, we do have a new model in store."
wav = model.generate(text)
```

### Multiple Tags

You can use multiple tags in the same text:

```python theme={null}
text = "Sorry [cough], excuse me. That's actually pretty funny [laugh]. Anyway, where were we?"
wav = model.generate(text)
```

## When to Use Each Tag

<Tip>
  **Natural Conversation:** Paralinguistic tags shine in voice agent applications where natural, human-like conversation is essential. Use them sparingly for maximum impact.
</Tip>

### \[laugh]

* Strong humor or jokes
* Moments of genuine amusement
* Character expressing joy
* After punchlines

**Example:**

```python theme={null}
text = "And then the customer said they'd been waiting on hold for three years! [laugh]"
```

### \[chuckle]

* Friendly, warm conversation
* Light humor
* Acknowledging a minor mishap
* Professional but personable tone
* Self-deprecating humor

**Example:**

```python theme={null}
text = "I totally understand, technology can be tricky [chuckle]. Let me help you with that."
```

### \[cough]

* Adding realism to long-form narration
* Character is unwell or clearing throat
* Creating authentic human imperfection
* Simulating natural interruptions

**Example:**

```python theme={null}
text = "Sorry about that [cough]. Let me get you those account details."
```

## Real Examples from Source Code

Here are actual examples from the Chatterbox Turbo example files:

### Customer Service Example

```python theme={null}
text = "Hi there, Sarah here from MochaFone calling you back [chuckle], have you got one minute to chat about the billing issue?"
wav = model.generate(text, audio_prompt_path="your_10s_ref_clip.wav")
```

*From: example\_tts\_turbo.py (line 8)*

### Sales Conversation Example

```python theme={null}
text = "Oh, that's hilarious! [chuckle] Um anyway, we do have a new model in store. It's the SkyNet T-800 series and it's got basically everything. Including AI integration with ChatGPT and all that jazz. Would you like me to get some prices for you?"
wav = model.generate(text)
```

*From: example\_tts\_turbo.py (line 9)*

## Complete Usage Example

```python theme={null}
import torchaudio as ta
from chatterbox.tts_turbo import ChatterboxTurboTTS

# Load the Turbo model
model = ChatterboxTurboTTS.from_pretrained(device="cuda")

# Generate with paralinguistic tags
text = "Oh, that's hilarious! [chuckle] Um anyway, we do have a new model in store."
wav = model.generate(text, audio_prompt_path="reference.wav")

# Save the output
ta.save("output_with_tags.wav", wav, model.sr)
```

## Best Practices

### Do:

✓ Use tags sparingly - Too many can sound unnatural
✓ Place tags where they make conversational sense
✓ Match tags to the emotional tone of your text
✓ Test different placements to find what sounds most natural
✓ Use `[chuckle]` for professional but friendly tones

### Don't:

✗ Overuse tags in every sentence
✗ Mix incompatible emotions (e.g., `[laugh]` in serious statements)
✗ Use multiple identical tags in a row
✗ Place tags in the middle of words
✗ Expect tags to work with non-Turbo models

## Tag Syntax

Tags are case-sensitive and must be written in lowercase with square brackets:

```python theme={null}
# Correct
"Hello [chuckle] there"

# Incorrect - these won't work
"Hello [Chuckle] there"  # Wrong: capitalized
"Hello (chuckle) there"  # Wrong: parentheses instead of brackets
"Hello [CHUCKLE] there"  # Wrong: all caps
```

## Model Compatibility

| Model                   | Paralinguistic Tags Supported |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Chatterbox Turbo        | ✅ Yes                         |
| Chatterbox              | ❌ No                          |
| Chatterbox Multilingual | ❌ No                          |

<Warning>
  If you try to use paralinguistic tags with the standard Chatterbox or multilingual models, the tags will be treated as regular text and spoken aloud rather than converted to sounds.
</Warning>

## Use Cases

### Voice Agents

Paralinguistic tags are ideal for conversational AI and voice agents:

```python theme={null}
# Customer service agent
text = "I completely understand your frustration [chuckle], let's get this sorted out for you right away."

# Sales agent  
text = "That's a great question! [chuckle] Let me pull up those details for you."

# Support agent
text = "Sorry about that [cough], technical difficulties. Now, about your account..."
```

### Narration

Add character and personality to narration:

```python theme={null}
text = "The hero looked at the dragon and said, 'Is that your final answer?' [chuckle]"
```

### Audiobook Production

Create more engaging audiobook content:

```python theme={null}
text = "The author notes here [chuckle] that this was completely unintentional."
```

## Performance Considerations

Paralinguistic tags are processed natively by the Turbo model and don't significantly impact generation speed. They're part of the model's training and work seamlessly with the text.

## Future Tags

Currently, Chatterbox Turbo supports `[laugh]`, `[chuckle]`, and `[cough]`. The README mentions "and more," suggesting additional tags may be added in future releases. Check the official repository for updates.