Document:

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                                                                     Exhibit 4.3

                              NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS
                                 1998 STOCK PLAN

     1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Stock Plan are to attract and
retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants and to
promote the success of the Company's business. Options granted under the Plan
may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by
the Administrator at the time of grant. Stock Purchase Rights may also be
granted under the Plan.

     2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

          (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as shall
be administering the Plan in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

          (b) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any other country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are
granted under the Plan.

          (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          (e) "Committee" means a committee of Directors appointed by the Board
in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

          (f) "Common Stock" means the Common Stock of the Company.

          (g) "Company" means Nuance Communications, a California corporation.

          (h) "Consultant" means any person who is engaged by the Company or any
Parent or Subsidiary to render consulting or advisory services to such entity.

          (i) "Director" means a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company.

          (j) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

          (k) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and Directors,
employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service
Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any

                                       -1-
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Subsidiary, or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such
leave may exceed ninety days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave
is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave
of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of
such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be
treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a
Nonstatutory Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a
director's fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by
the Company.

          (l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

          (m) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of Common
Stock determined as follows:

               (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

               (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value
shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock
on the last market trading day prior to the day of determination; or

               (iii) In the absence of an established market for the Common
Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

          (n) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

          (o) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

          (p) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company within
the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.

          (q) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

          (r) "Option Agreement" means a written or electronic agreement
between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan.

          (s) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby outstanding
Options are exchanged for Options with a lower exercise price.
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          (t) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option or a
Stock Purchase Right.

          (u) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted under the Plan.

          (v) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or hereafter
existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

          (w) "Plan" means this 1998 Stock Plan.

          (x) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant
to a grant of a Stock Purchase Right under Section 11 below.

          (y) "Service Provider" means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

          (z) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 below.

          (aa) "Stock Purchase Right" means a right to purchase Common Stock
pursuant to Section 11 below.

          (bb) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

     3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 12 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be subject to option
and sold under the Plan is 1,500,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

          If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable
without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option
Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become
available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated). However, Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan, upon
exercise of either an Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall not be returned to
the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan,
except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company at
their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future
grant under the Plan.

     4. Administration of the Plan.

          (a) Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a
Committee appointed by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted to comply
with Applicable Laws.

          (b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan
and, in the case of a Committee, the specific duties delegated by the Board to
such Committee, and
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subject to the approval of any relevant authorities, the Administrator shall
have the authority in its discretion:

               (i) to determine the Fair Market Value;

               (ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options and Stock
Purchase Rights may from time to time be granted hereunder;

               (iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each
such award granted hereunder;

               (iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

               (v) to determine the terms and conditions, of any Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not
limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Options or Stock Purchase
Rights may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any
vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction
or limitation regarding any Option or Stock Purchase Right or the Common Stock
relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in
its sole discretion, shall determine;

               (vi) to determine whether and under what circumstances an Option
may be settled in cash under subsection 9(e) instead of Common Stock;

               (vii) to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered
by such Option has declined since the date the Option was granted;

               (viii) to initiate an Option Exchange Program;

               (ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans
established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under
foreign tax laws;

               (x) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax obligations by
electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise
of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the
Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to
be withheld is to be determined. All elections by Optionees to have Shares
withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions
as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and

               (xi) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and awards
granted pursuant to the Plan.
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          (c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. All decisions, determinations
and interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all
Optionees.

     5. Eligibility.

          (a) Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may be
granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees.

          (b) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as either
an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 5(b), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

          (c) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
confer upon any Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's
relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall it interfere in
any way with his or her right or the Company's right to terminate such
relationship at any time, with or without cause.

     6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the
Board. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless sooner
terminated under Section 15 of the Plan.

     7. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option
Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten (10) years
from the date of grant thereof. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted
to an Optionee who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock representing
more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall be five (5)
years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the
Option Agreement.

     8. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

          (a) The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the Administrator,
but shall be subject to the following:

               (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                    (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time of grant of such
Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power
of all classes
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of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the exercise price shall be
no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                    (B) granted to any other Employee, the per Share exercise
price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date
of grant.

               (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option

                    (A) granted to a Service Provider who, at the time of grant
of such Option, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the
voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary,
the exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share
on the date of grant.

                    (B) granted to any other Service Provider, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 85% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.

               (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with
a per Share exercise price other than as required above pursuant to a merger or
other corporate transaction.

          (b) The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by
the Administrator (and, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, shall be
determined at the time of grant). Such consideration may consist of (1) cash,
(2) check, (3) promissory note, (4) other Shares which (x) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on
the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to
which such Option shall be exercised, (5) consideration received by the Company
under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with
the Plan, or (6) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment. In making
its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator
shall consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to
benefit the Company.

     9. Exercise of Option.

          (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms hereof at such
times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth
in the Option Agreement. Except in the case of Options granted to Officers,
Directors and Consultants, Options shall become exercisable at a rate of no less
than 20% per year over five (5) years from the date the Options are granted.
Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Options granted
hereunder to Officers and Directors shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of
absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

               An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:
(i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the
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person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares
with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any
consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and
permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of
an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the
Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. Until the Shares
are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or
of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive
dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the
Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or
cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No
adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date
is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 12 of
the Plan.

               Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in
the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for
sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is
exercised.

          (b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an Optionee
ceases to be a Service Provider, such Optionee may exercise his or her Option
within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement (of at least
thirty (30) days) to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of
termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of the Option
as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the
Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months
following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the
Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination,
the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by
the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (c) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement
(of at least six (6) months) to the extent the Option is vested on the date of
termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such
Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time
in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12)
months following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of termination, the
Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination,
the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall
revert to the Plan.

          (d) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider,
the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the
Option Agreement (of at least six (6) months) to the extent that the Option is
vested on the date of death (but in no event later than the expiration of the
term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement) by the Optionee's
estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest
or inheritance. In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the
Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's
termination. If, at the time of death,
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the Optionee is not vested as to the entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If the
Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (e) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to buy
out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on such
terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the
Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

     10. Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. The Options
and Stock Purchase Rights may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated,
transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of
descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
Optionee, only by the Optionee.

     11. Stock Purchase Rights.

          (a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued either
alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan
and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines
that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall advise the
offeree in writing or electronically of the terms, conditions and restrictions
related to the offer, including the number of Shares that such person shall be
entitled to purchase, the price to be paid, and the time within which such
person must accept such offer. The terms of the offer shall comply in all
respects with Section 260.140.42 of Title 10 of the California Code of
Regulations. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock
purchase agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.

          (b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise,
the Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase
option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of the
purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or
disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at such rate as the
Administrator may determine. Except with respect to Shares purchased by
Officers, Directors and Consultants, the repurchase option shall in no case
lapse at a rate of less than 20% per year over five (5) years from the date of
purchase.

          (c) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock purchase agreement shall
contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the
Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

          (d) Rights as a Shareholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have rights equivalent to those of a shareholder
and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon the records
of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment shall be
made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is
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prior to the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in
Section 12 of the Plan.

     12. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Merger or Asset Sale.

          (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the
shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company. The conversion of any convertible securities of
the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination
in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly
provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no
adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price
of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock Purchase Right.

          (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option or Stock Purchase Right until
fifteen (15) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock
covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option or Stock Purchase Right
would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide
that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse as to all such Shares,
provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in
the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an
Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action.

          (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company with
or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of
the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right shall be assumed
or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a
Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the
successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or Stock
Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise
the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned Stock, including
Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option
or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of
assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the
Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the
Option or Stock
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Purchase Right shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from
the date of such notice, and the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate
upon the expiration of such period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the
Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be considered assumed if, following the
merger or sale of assets, the option or right confers the right to purchase or
receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock
Purchase Right immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the
consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in
the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on
the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of
consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of
the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received
in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the successor
corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the
successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the
exercise of the Option or Stock Purchase Right, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right, to be solely common stock of the
successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share
consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of
assets.

     13.  Change in Control.

     (a) For purposes of this Section 13, the following definitions shall apply:

          (i) a "Change in Control" means the happening of any of the following
events:

               (A) Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or
more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding
voting securities; or

               (B) A change in the composition of the Board occurring within a
one-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are
Incumbent Directors. "Incumbent Directors" shall mean directors who either (i)
are directors of the Company as of the date hereof, or (ii) are elected, or
nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a
majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination
(but shall not include an individual whose election or nomination is in
connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election
of directors to the Company); or

               (C) The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company
with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would
result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty
percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of
the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger
or consolidation; or

               (D) the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of
all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
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          (ii) "Qualified Optionee" shall mean an Optionee who has been employed
by or provided services for the Company for a minimum of one year prior to any
Change of Control.

          (iii) "Involuntary Termination" shall mean any of the following
events: (A) without the Optionee's express written consent, a significant
reduction of the Optionee's duties, authority or responsibilities, relative to
the Optionee's duties, authority or responsibilities as in effect immediately
prior to the Change in Control; (B) without the Optionee's express written
consent, a substantial reduction, without good business reasons, of the
facilities and perquisites (including office space and location) available to
the Optionee immediately prior to the Change in Control; (C) without the
Optionee's express written consent, a reduction in the base salary of the
Optionee as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; (D) without
the Optionee's express written consent, a material reduction in the kind or
level of employee benefits, including bonuses, to which the Optionee was
entitled immediately prior to the Change in Control with the result that the
Optionee's overall benefits package is significantly reduced; (E) without the
Optionee's express written consent, the relocation of the Optionee to a facility
or a location more than thirty (30) miles from the Optionee's then present
location; (F) any purported termination of the Optionee which is not effected
for Disability or for Cause (as defined below), or any purported termination for
which the grounds relied upon are not valid; or (G) or any act or set of facts
or circumstances which would, under California case law or statute, constitute a
constructive termination of the Optionee.

          (iv) "Cause" shall mean (A) any act of personal dishonesty taken by
the Optionee in connection with his responsibilities as a Service Provider and
intended to result in substantial personal enrichment of the Optionee, (B)
Optionee's conviction of or plea of nolo contendre to a felony, (C) a willful
act by the Optionee which constitutes gross misconduct and which is injurious to
the successor corporation, and (D) following delivery to the Optionee of a
written demand for performance from the successor corporation which describes
the basis for the successor corporation's belief that the Optionee has not
substantially performed his duties, continued violations by the Optionee of the
Optionee's obligations to the successor corporation which are demonstrably
willful and deliberate on the Optionee's part.

     (b) In the event of a Change of Control, if a Qualified Optionee's status
as a Service Provider with the successor corporation is terminated by the
successor corporation as a result of an Involuntary Termination within twelve
(12) months following such Change of Control, the Qualified Optionee shall vest
in and have the right to exercise any outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right
to the extent that the Option or Stock Purchase Right is vested on the date of
termination and as to an additional fifty percent (50%) of those Shares as to
which the Option or Stock Purchase Right would not otherwise be vested or
exercisable on the date of termination. Thereafter, the Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall remain exercisable in accordance with Section 10.

     (c) In the event that any vesting described above in Section 13(b) would
prevent a Change of Control from being accounted for as a "pooling of interests"
for financial accounting purposes, and such treatment is a condition to the
closing of the Change of Control, any vesting of options under Section 13(b)
shall be limited to the extent necessary to effectuate such treatment.
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     14. Time of Granting Options and Stock Purchase Rights. The date of grant
of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall, for all purposes, be the date on
which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Option or Stock
Purchase Right, or such other date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice
of the determination shall be given to each Service Provider to whom an Option
or Stock Purchase Right is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of
such grant.

     15. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

          (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter,
suspend or terminate the Plan.

          (b) Shareholder Approval. The Board shall obtain shareholder approval
of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with
Applicable Laws.

          (c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.

     16. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

          (a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and
delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further
subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

          (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an
Option, the Administrator may require the person exercising such Option to
represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being
purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or
distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a
representation is required.

     17. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain
authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is
deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale
of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect
of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority
shall not have been obtained.

     18. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, shall
at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
<PAGE>
     19. Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner
required under Applicable Laws.

     20. Information to Optionees and Purchasers. The Company shall provide to
each Optionee and to each individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan,
not less frequently than annually during the period such Optionee or purchaser
has one or more Options or Stock Purchase Rights outstanding, and, in the case
of an individual who acquires Shares pursuant to the Plan, during the period
such individual owns such Shares, copies of annual financial statements. The
Company shall not be required to provide such statements to key employees whose
duties in connection with the Company assure their access to equivalent
information.<PAGE>
                                                                     Exhibit 4.4

NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS 1994 FLEXIBLE STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Establishment, Purpose, and Definitions.

(a)  There is hereby adopted the 1994 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan")
     of NUANCE COMMUNICATIONS (the "Company").

(b)  The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means whereby eligible individuals
     (as defined in paragraph 4 below) can acquire Common Stock of the Company
     (the "Stock"). The Plan provides employees (including officers and
     directors who are employees) of the Company and of its Affiliates an
     opportunity to purchase shares of Stock pursuant to options which may
     qualify as incentive stock options (referred to as "incentive stock
     options") under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
     amended (the "Code"), and employees, officers, directors, independent
     contractors, and consultants of the Company and of its Affiliates an
     opportunity to purchase shares of Stock pursuant to options which are not
     described in Sections 422 or 423 of the Code (referred to as "nonqualified
     stock options"). The Plan also provides for the sale of Stock to eligible
     individuals in connection with the performance of services for the Company
     or its Affiliates.

(c)  The term "Affiliates" as used in the Plan means parent or subsidiary
     corporations, as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code (but
     substituting "the Company" for "employer corporation"), including parents
     or subsidiaries which become such after adoption of the Plan.

2. Administration of the Plan.

(a)  The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company
     (the "Board"). The Board may delegate the responsibility for administering
     the Plan to a committee, under such terms and conditions as the Board shall
     determine (the "Committee"). In the event that the Company shall be subject
     to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended
     ("Rule 16b-3"): (1) the Committee shall consist of two or more members of
     the Board or such lesser number of members of the Board as permitted by
     Rule 16b-3, and (ii) none of the members of the Committee shall receive,
     while serving on the Committee, or during the one-year period preceding
     appointment to the Committee, a grant or award of equity securities under
     (x) the Plan or (y) any other plan of the Company or its Affiliates under
     which the participants are entitled to acquire Stock (including restricted
     Stock), stock options, stock bonuses, related rights or stock appreciation
     rights of the Company or any of its Affiliates, other than pursuant to
     transactions in any such other plan which do not disqualify a director from
     being a disinterested 1 person under Rule 16b-3. The limitations set forth
     in this Section 2(a) shall automatically incorporate any additional
     requirements that may in the future be necessary for the Plan to comply
     with Rule 16b-3. Members of the Committee shall serve at the pleasure of
     the Board. The Committee shall select one of its members as chairman, and
     shall hold meetings at such times and places as it may determine. A
     majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and acts of the
     Committee at which a quorum is present, or acts reduced to or
<PAGE>
     approved in writing by all the members of the Committee, shall be the valid
     acts of the Committee. For purposes of the Plan, the term "Administrator"
     shall mean the Board or, in the event that the Board shall delegate the
     responsibility for administering the Plan to a Committee, such Committee.

(b)  The Administrator shall determine which eligible individuals (as defined in
     paragraph 4, below) shall be granted options under the Plan, the timing of
     such grants, the terms thereof (including any restrictions on the Stock),
     and the number of shares subject to such options.

(c)  The Administrator may amend the terms of any outstanding option granted
     under this Plan, but any amendment which would adversely affect the
     Optionee's rights under an outstanding option shall not be made without the
     Optionee's written consent. The Administrator may, with the Optionee's
     written consent, cancel any outstanding stock option or accept any
     outstanding stock option in exchange for a new option.

(d)  The Administrator shall also determine which eligible individuals (as
     defined in paragraph 4, below) shall be issued Stock under the Plan, the
     timing of such grants, the terms thereof (including any restrictions), and
     the number of shares to be granted. The Stock shall be issued for such
     consideration (if any) as the Administrator deems appropriate. Stock issued
     subject to restrictions shall be evidenced by a written agreement (the
     "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement"). The Administrator may amend any
     Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, but any amendment which would
     adversely affect the shareholder's rights to the Stock shall not be made
     without his or her written consent.

(e)  The Administrator shall have the sole authority, in its absolute discretion
     to adopt, amend, and rescind such rules and regulations as, in its opinion,
     may be advisable for the administration of the Plan, to construe and
     interpret the Plan, the rules and the regulations, and the instruments
     evidencing options or Stock granted under the Plan and to make all other
     determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the
     Plan. All decisions, determinations, and interpretations of the
     Administrator shall be binding on all participants.

(f)  Without limitation of the foregoing, the Administrator shall have the
     right, with the Optionee's consent, to terminate the restrictions
     applicable to any stock issued pursuant to the Plan.

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

(a)  An aggregate of not more than 3,380,000 shares of Stock shall be available
     for the grant of stock options or the issuance of Stock under the Plan. If
     an option is surrendered (except surrender for shares of Stock) or for any
     other reason ceases to be exercisable in whole or in part, the shares which
     were subject to such option but as to which the option had not been
     exercised shall continue to be available under the Plan. Any Stock which is
     retained by the Company upon exercise of an option in order to satisfy the
     exercise price for such option or any withholding taxes due with respect to
     such option exercise shall be treated as issued to the Optionee and will
     thereafter not be available under the Plan.
<PAGE>
(b)  If there is any change in the Stock subject to the Plan, a Stock Option
     Agreement or a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement through merger,
     consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock
     split, stock dividend, or other change in the capital structure of the
     Company, appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Administrator in
     order to preserve but not to increase the benefits to the individual,
     including adjustments to the aggregate number, kind and price per share of
     shares subject to the Plan, a Stock Option Agreement or a Restricted Stock
     Purchase Agreement.

4. Eligible Individuals.

Individuals who shall be eligible to have granted to them the options or Stock
provided for by the Plan shall be such employees, officers, directors,
independent contractors and consultants of the Company or an Affiliate as the
Administrator, in its discretion, shall designate from time to time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, only employees of the Company or an Affiliate
(including officers and directors who are bona fide employees) shall be eligible
to receive incentive stock options.

5. The Option Price.

The exercise price of the Stock covered by each incentive stock option shall be
not less than the per share fair market value of such Stock on the date the
option is granted. The exercise price of the Stock covered by each nonqualified
stock option shall be as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a person
possessing more than ten percent of the combined voting power of the Company or
an Affiliate, the exercise price shall be not less than 110 percent of the fair
market value of the Stock on the date the option is granted. The exercise price
of an option shall be subject to adjustment to the extent provided in paragraph
3(b), above.

6. Terms and Conditions of Options.

(a)  Each option granted pursuant to the Plan will be evidenced by a written
     Stock Option Agreement executed by the Company and the person to whom such
     option is granted.

(b)  The Administrator shall determine the term of each option granted under the
     Plan; provided, however, that the term of an incentive stock option shall
     not be for more than ten (10) years and that, in the case of an incentive
     stock option granted to a person possessing more than ten percent of the
     combined voting power of the Company or an Affiliate, the term shall be for
     no more than five (5) years.

(c)  In the case of incentive stock options, the aggregate fair market value
     (determined as of the time such option is granted) of the Stock with
     respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time
     by an eligible employee in any calendar year (under this Plan and any other
     plans of the Company or its Affiliates) shall not exceed $100,000. (d) The
     Stock Option Agreement may
<PAGE>
     contain such other terms, provisions and conditions consistent with this
     Plan as may be determined by the Administrator. If an option, or any part
     thereof is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option, the Stock
     Option Agreement shall contain those terms and conditions which are
     necessary to so qualify it.

7. Terms and Conditions of Stock Purchases.

(a)  Each sale or grant of stock pursuant to the Plan will be evidenced by a
     written Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement executed by the Company and the
     person to whom such stock is sold or granted.

(b)  The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement may contain such other terms,
     provisions and conditions consistent with this Plan as may be determined by
     the Administrator, including not by way of limitation, restrictions on
     transfer, forfeiture provisions, repurchase provisions and vesting
     provisions.

8. Use of Proceeds.

Cash proceeds realized from the sale of Stock under the Plan shall constitute
general funds of the Company.

9. Amendment, Suspension, or Termination of the Plan.

(a)  The Board may at any time amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as it deems
     advisable; provided that such amendment, suspension or termination complies
     with all applicable requirements of state and federal law, 4 including any
     applicable requirement that the Plan or an amendment to the Plan be
     approved by the Company's shareholders, and provided further that, except
     as provided in paragraph 3(b), above, the Board shall in no event amend the
     Plan in the following respects without the consent of shareholders then
     sufficient to approve the Plan in the first instance: (i) To increase the
     maximum number of shares subject to incentive stock options issued under
     the Plan; or (ii) To change the designation or class of persons eligible to
     receive incentive stock options under the Plan.

(b)  No option may be granted nor any Stock issued under the Plan during any
     suspension or after the termination of the Plan, and no amendment,
     suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the affected
     individual's consent, alter or impair any rights or obligations under any
     option previously granted under the Plan. The Plan shall terminate with
     respect to the grant of incentive stock options on September _____, 2004,
     unless previously terminated by the Board pursuant to this paragraph 9.

10. Assignability.

Each option granted pursuant to this Plan shall, during optionee's lifetime, be
exercisable only by such optionee, and neither the option nor any right
hereunder shall be transferable by optionee by operation of law or otherwise
other than by will
<PAGE>
or the laws of descent and distribution. Stock subject to a Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement shall be transferable only as provided in such Agreement.

11. Payment Upon Exercise of Options.

(a)  Payment of the purchase price upon exercise of any option granted under
     this Plan shall be made in cash; provided, however, that the Administrator,
     in its sole discretion, may permit an optionee to pay the option price in
     whole or in part (i) with shares of Stock owned by the Optionee; (ii) by
     delivery on a form prescribed by the Administrator of an irrevocable
     direction to a securities broker approved by the Administrator to sell
     shares and deliver all or a portion of the proceeds to the Company in
     payment for the Stock; (iii) by delivery of the optionee's promissory note
     with such recourse, interest, security, and redemption provisions as the
     Administrator in its discretion determines appropriate; or (iv) in any
     combination of the foregoing. Any Stock used to exercise options shall be
     valued at its fair market value on the date of the exercise of the option.
     In addition, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may authorize the
     surrender by an optionee of all or part of an unexercised option and
     authorize a payment in consideration thereof of an amount equal to the
     difference between the aggregate fair market value of the Stock subject to
     such option and the aggregate option price of such Stock. In the
     Administrator's 5 discretion, such payment may be made in cash, shares of
     Stock with a fair market value on the date of surrender equal to the
     payment amount, or some combination thereof.

(b)  In the event that the exercise price is satisfied by the Administrator
     retaining from the shares of Stock otherwise to be issued to Optionee
     shares of Stock having a value equal to the exercise price, the
     Administrator may issue Optionee an additional option, with terms identical
     to this option agreement, entitling Optionee to purchase additional Stock
     in an amount equal to the number of shares so retained.

12. Withholding Taxes.

(a)  No Stock shall be granted or sold under the Plan to any participant until
     the participant has made arrangements acceptable to the Administrator for
     the satisfaction of federal, state, and local income and social security
     tax withholding obligations, including without limitation obligations
     incident to the receipt of Stock under the Plan, the lapsing of
     restrictions applicable to such Stock, the failure to satisfy the
     conditions for treatment as incentive stock options under applicable tax
     law, or the receipt of cash payments. Upon exercise of a stock option or
     lapsing or restriction on stock issued under the Plan, the Company may
     satisfy its withholding obligations by withholding from the Optionee or
     requiring the shareholder to surrender shares of the Company's Stock
     sufficient to satisfy federal, state, and local income and social security
     tax withholding obligations.

(b)  In the event that such withholding is satisfied by the Company or the
     Optionee's employer retaining from the shares of Stock otherwise to be
     issued to Optionee shares of Stock having a value equal to such withholding
     tax, the Administrator
<PAGE>
     may issue Optionee an additional option, with terms identical to the option
     agreement under which the option was received, entitling Optionee to
     purchase additional Stock in an amount equal to the number of shares so
     retained.

13. Restrictions on Transfer of Shares.

The Stock acquired pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions
and agreements regarding sale, assignment, encumbrances or other transfer as are
in effect among the shareholders of the Company at the time such Stock is
acquired, as well as to such other restrictions as the Administrator shall deem
advisable.

14. Corporate Transaction.

(a)  For purposes of this Section 15, a "Corporate Transaction" shall include
     any of the following shareholder-approved transactions to which the Company
     is a party: 6 (i) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
     surviving entity, except for (1) a transaction the principal purpose of
     which is to change the state of the Company's incorporation, or (2) a
     transaction in which the Company's shareholders immediately prior to such
     merger or consolidation hold (by virtue of securities received in exchange
     for their shares in the Company) securities of the surviving entity
     representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of
     such entity immediately after such transaction; (ii) the sale, transfer or
     other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
     unless the Company's shareholders immediately prior to such sale, transfer
     or other disposition hold (by virtue of securities received in exchange for
     their shares in the Company) securities of the purchaser or other
     transferee representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting
     power of such entity immediately after such transaction; or (iii) any
     reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity but in which
     the Company's shareholders immediately prior to such merger do not hold (by
     virtue of their shares in the Company held immediately prior to such
     transaction) securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent
     (50%) of the total voting power of the Company immediately after such
     transaction.

(b)  In the event of any Corporate Transaction, any option shall terminate and
     any restricted stock shall be reconveyed to or repurchased by the Company
     immediately prior to the specified effective date of the Corporate
     Transaction unless assumed by the successor corporation or its parent
     company, pursuant to options or restricted stock agreements providing
     substantially equal value and having substantially equivalent provisions as
     the options or restricted stock granted pursuant to this Plan.

15. Shareholder Approval.

This Plan shall only become effective with regard to incentive stock options
upon its approval by a majority of the shareholders voting (in person or by
proxy) at a shareholders' meeting held within 12 months of the Board's adoption
of the Plan. The Administrator may grant incentive stock options under the Plan
prior to the
<PAGE>
shareholders' meeting, but until shareholder approval of the Plan is obtained,
no incentive stock option shall be exercisable.

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