Awful chavvy illiteracy does not convey the impression of a professional service
"If y' callin' abou' a mobile query, press wuh'-h'n"
"y'"???? What kind of illiterate verbless chavspeak is that?
I could barely parse what she was saying, the first time I heard it, and surely that *must* be the most important aspect of any automated voice system? She also speaks somewhat *too fast* to be easily comprehensible. An automated system usually only gets one chance to make a good impression, so speaking slowly and clearly is key.
And the way she mispronounces "one" just put me right on edge..
<nails/blackboard>
It's particularly crucial to pronounce the numbers clearly since these are how we have to respond to the system.
I am sure (I've never been there) that there are many very nice people in Thames-estuary-land, and that there are many very intelligent people in Thames-estuary-land, but I'm also sure it's not an accent that tends to rank highly in the "accents we like to hear when we call automated systems" lists..
Like it or not, certain accents, and perhaps more so, the well-spoken-ness, regardless of accent, tend to convey a more professional approach than others. And being greeted by an automated system only marginally less grating than EastEnders really does not give the impression of a professional and competent organisation..
I dread to think what you'd hear if you have 33 minutes remaining..
"Y' got feh'ty-fh'ree minutes uv talk time remainin'."?? :-P
(At present this is actually spliced unnaturally with a different voice speaking the numbers, weird!)
The previous Orange voice, while perhaps edging on being just the tiniest smidge too "snooty" for my liking, was at least clear and professional-sounding.