Johanna Hermann Lundberg, the voice behind Stockholm's subway announcements, is critical of how her voice is used by SL, the public transport operator. After a segment by SVT, SL has slowed down the pronunciation of 'Alby' in response to feedback. The Center Party in Stockholm city is proposing to replace the current speech synthesis with various recorded voices that have connections to specific districts or areas.
According to the party's motion, the idea involves four to five different voices being voted on, where each voice carries traces of Stockholm's local dialects and expressions. The motion specifically mentions only classic Ekensnack in the southern parts and Lidingö dialect on the Lidingö line. Jonas Naddebo of the Center Party says that 'ortensvenska' (suburban Swedish) will also be included.
Tensta can be pronounced both 'Ténsta' and 'Tennsta' – so it's clear there can be discussion about exactly how it should be pronounced, let's have that debate.
According to SVT Stockholm, Jonas Naddebo described that Tensta can be pronounced both 'Ténsta' and 'Tennsta', suggesting a debate on pronunciation. He also noted, according to SVT Stockholm, that a problem with the AI voice has been discovered, and variation of voices in the subway would help passengers understand their location. It remains unclear how exactly the voices will be selected or voted on, and whether SL has officially responded to or accepted the Center Party's proposal.
The timeline for implementing any changes to the subway voice system is also unknown, as is the public or other political parties' view of this proposal.
Now we have discovered a problem with the AI voice, I think that variation of voices in the subway would help us understand where we are.