A method of converting text to speech in a communication device includes providing a code table containing coded speech parameters. Next steps include inputting a text message into a communication device, and dividing the text message into phonics. A next step includes mapping each of the phonics against the code table to find the coded speech parameters corresponding to each of the phonics. A next step includes processing the coded speech parameters corresponding to each of the phonics to provide an audio signal. In this way, text can be mapped directly to a vocoder table without intermediate translation steps.