-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WGA+9Q0PCtC00FXr09596R2XQYcgM9iUrezzmOpynmAuqpV9KhWRv8gDNuzykv8X
 E74an7d1Jt/eTj7vwoldJg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-04-004367.txt : 20041206
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-04-004367.hdr.sgml : 20041206
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041206201133
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-04-004367
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041202
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041206
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041206

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001102556
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372]
		IRS NUMBER:				943208477
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1005 HAMILTON CT
		CITY:			MENLO PARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6508470000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1005 HAMILTON CT
		CITY:			MENLO PARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94025

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MORGENTHALER GARY J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001065210

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30203
		FILM NUMBER:		041187239

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PREMISYS COMMUNICATIONS INC
		STREET 2:		48664 MILMONT DR
		CITY:			FREMONT
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94538

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2710 SAND HILL ROAD
		STREET 2:		STE 100
		CITY:			MENLO PARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94025
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-02</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001102556</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NUAN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001065210</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MORGENTHALER GARY J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1005 HAMILTON COURT</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MENLO PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Director Stock Option (Right To Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.39</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>4.39</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-12-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option will vest monthly over one year, commencing 1/2/05.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>THE CONFIRMING STATEMENT GRANTING THE ATTORNEY-IN-FACT THE AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE AND FILE THIS FORM 4 HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Doug Neilsson, Attorney-In-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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