A system and method are provided for accelerating machine reading of text. In one embodiment, the system comprises at least one processor device. The processor device is configured to receive at least one image of text to be audibly read. The text includes a first portion and a second portion. The processor device is further configured to initiate optical character recognition (OCR) to recognize the first portion. The processor device is further configured to initiate an audible presentation of the first portion prior to initiating OCR of the second portion, and simultaneously perform OCR to recognize the second portion of the text to be audibly read during presentation of at least part of the first portion. The processor device is further configured to automatically cause the second portion of the text to be audibly presented immediately upon completion of the presentation of the first portion.