diff --git a/pyttsx3/drivers/_espeak.py b/pyttsx3/drivers/_espeak.py
index ada4231..c4ebbc0 100644
--- a/pyttsx3/drivers/_espeak.py
+++ b/pyttsx3/drivers/_espeak.py
@@ -542,8 +542,8 @@ def synth_cb(wav, numsample, events):
     SetSynthCallback(synth_cb)
     s = "This is a test, only a test. "
     uid = c_uint(0)
-    # print 'pitch=',GetParameter(PITCH)
+    # print('pitch=',GetParameter(PITCH))
     # SetParameter(PITCH, 50, 0)
-    print(Synth(s))
+    print(Synth(s.encode("utf-8")))
     while IsPlaying():
         time.sleep(0.1)