Speak Selection in Word not working in El Capitan

[UserUser]

Any insights into why the 'Speak Selection' function would stop working in Word since upgrading to El Capitan? All other audio functions work (alerts, iTunes, watching videos)...except, i did notice that whereas before, when I turned the volume up or down, I could hear the little 'clicks' getting louder or softer, now i don't hear that.
I checked all audio-related things in System Preferences for Mac & Word since the upgrade, and all seems fine. In Word, everything appears as before--the "Speak Selection" button shows like it used to (I put it in my Toolbar), & when I highlight text & press the button, it indicates it's speaking, but I hear nothing.
I use this function a lot. I'd be pretty sad if it just disappeared.
Open to any insights, and thanks!

 

[honestone]

What version of Word are you using? If it is part of Office 2011, an upgrade that is compatible with El Capitan came out about a year ago. Since then, there have been two updates, the latest being V14.6.8, which you can get from here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=53799

 

[UserUser]

Well, darn. It's Word '08. I like Word '08 enough not to want to mess with it. Do you think I'll have to update? :weeps:
Thanks so much for your quick response!

 

[honestone]

Via a google search, it looks like for some folks, version 12.3.6 of Office 2008 works with El Capitan. You can get that update from here:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=36897

I have no direct knowledge one way or another, as I use Office 2011, which is compatible (and from what I read, seems to work fine with OS 10.12, Sierra).

 

[UserUser]

Helpful, honestone! Many thanks for taking the time to help me figure it out. I see I already am at Office 12.3.6 Ah well, I'll have to figure something out. Maybe I'll look into Office 2011... Thanks again.

 

[honestone]

Sorry I could not be more helpful. In actuality, I wonder how long Microsoft will continue supporting Office 2011. We'll see.

 

[UserUser]

You were definitely helpful, it just didn't solve the problem. Know what would be cool? If someone started a company that did provide these sorts of compatibility updates to older software, apps, etc, so ppl can keep using it the programs they love on the newer systems. Guess it would mean breaking things, maybe copyright issues... Still, I'd pay!