Ben the Antipodean Navigator - Update

I have had some more time in the new Mazda6 (nice car, BTW...).

And, some more time with its TomTom-based SatNav system.

Turns out I was misinformed. The voice I was told was 'Ben' from New Zealand, whose advice upon reaching your destination was, "Windows up, grab those sunnies and don't let the seagulls steal your chips!" was actually 'James' from Australia.

You can listen to it again here:

Download TomTom_message_2013-02-17-151139

(My apologies if this link takes you away from the main page of this blog and forces you to go back one page to return. Seems to be how this blogging software works with audio clips.)

Now, there are two places in the Mazda6 SatNav system where you can select the voice you want to give you directions.

Why there are two perhaps only Mazda and TomTom know. Wasted about half an hour figuring that out...

In one place you can't get either Ben or James, but if you go to 'Settings' on the main SatNav menu they are both available.

To hear how Ben tells you you have arrived, click here;

Download Ben_the_kiwi_2013-02-24-185000

Now, my time in New Zealand - by all accounts, the most beautiful place on earth - has so far been limited to a two-hour layover in the Aukland airport on my way to Australia some years ago.

So my ear has never really become attuned to the Kiwi accent.

Hence, I can barely make out a syllable of what 'Ben' is saying here.

OK, I get the '300 yards', 'you have reached your destination', and 'Cheers for the ride, mate!'

But what is he asking us to grab?

Sounds like 'jandals, togs and chil-e-van.'

Anybody got a clue?

Please let me know...

Comments

[John B]

It really doesn't matter what the voice is saying. Maybe that option is there for folks who speak and understand that dialect. It's a gimmick to sell TomToms!

What concerns me more is how you automotive scribes are bastardizing the North American English language.

You call a Mercedes "Merc" when all adults know a Merc is a Mercury.

You call cellphones "mobiles". Is that with a British accent?

You call a GPS a "satnav". Again with a British accent?

We get enough of that from that Jeremy guy without hearing it from our own. [/rant]

[David White]

Ouch! can we call you a Republican?