Why does the train at MSP have a British accent?
Mar 12, 2006, 8:45 pm
#3
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Originally Posted by milepig
Title says it all. What are they thinking? If anything, I would think they'd choose a Swedish accent! But British?
I am so glad someone else noticed this. It drives me crazy every time I'm in MSP. I've asked at least 20 people who live there, and no one has an answer.
I decided it is more soothing than say, an East Coast accent, but it seems very out of place in MSP.
The really strange thing, is that it is only on the tram. The announcements in the other parts of the airport do not have an accent.
Mar 12, 2006, 9:03 pm
#4
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Anything to do with the manufacturer/service provider of the light rail cars and software updates?
I like the announcements as they are. And they are much clearer than those announcements heard in DC and NYC or even Chicago.
I like the announcements as they are. And they are much clearer than those announcements heard in DC and NYC or even Chicago.
Mar 12, 2006, 9:13 pm
#5
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Simple..
People in the Twin Cities love it for some reason. I grew up there and later worked at KDWB, the top 40 station that decided to change the "official" female voice (the one in all the station promos, etc) to one with a british accent around 98-99. The response was rediculously poitive. Out of place, sure, but oddly they like it.
Mar 21, 2006, 12:56 pm
#9
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Here's the deal. Men are more apt to listen to a woman's voice than a man's voice; this is why some cockpit-alert sounders are recorded in a female voice. But in the voiceover business it is very difficult to find a friendly woman's voice that comes across as authoritative without being chilly... and accessible without being mistaken for sexy/suggestive. (I have made my share of corporate videos. 
) A clipped female British accent attracts attention, cuts through ambient noise, resonates authority, and will never be taken for suggestive... but doesn't sound automatically unfriendly either. It's a common choice.
) A clipped female British accent attracts attention, cuts through ambient noise, resonates authority, and will never be taken for suggestive... but doesn't sound automatically unfriendly either. It's a common choice.
Mar 26, 2006, 8:13 pm
#10
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Originally Posted by milepig
Title says it all. What are they thinking? If anything, I would think they'd choose a Swedish accent! But British?
Apr 12, 2006, 4:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Feb 2005
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I'm from (and live during summer break) in the Twin Cities and end up flying out of MSP most of the time (MSN doesn't really have a huge selection-at least for NW). I for one really like British/Australian accents, maybe it's a Minnesotan thing?
My theory for the voice is that the company that built the tram was trying to get back at MSP. They lost a lot of $ in penalties because of how late the tram was ready (it was REALLY LATE). They figured hey-lets give the TC'ians a foreign voice-that'll confuse 'em!
My theory for the voice is that the company that built the tram was trying to get back at MSP. They lost a lot of $ in penalties because of how late the tram was ready (it was REALLY LATE). They figured hey-lets give the TC'ians a foreign voice-that'll confuse 'em!
Apr 13, 2006, 7:27 am
#12
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Many foreign travelers find it easier to understand British English than American English. What BearX220 says makes sense, too, but it may be as simple as trying to find a voice that as many passengers as possible can understand.
(If you don't believe me, go to the gate area of an international departure and look at the deer-in-the-headlights look of many passengers after the gate agent makes an announcement.)
- Martin
(If you don't believe me, go to the gate area of an international departure and look at the deer-in-the-headlights look of many passengers after the gate agent makes an announcement.)
- Martin
Apr 13, 2006, 3:32 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2003
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I thought that the voice was from the same person who did NW announcements at MSP several years ago. She was rumored to be a NWA employee in some different position who also did the announcements because we like her voice. You betch'ya.
Apr 13, 2006, 8:55 pm
#15
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I never use the tram/train at MSP, but I notice the British voice everytime I come in from the parking ramp. Struck me as odd the very first time. Having grown up in Minnesota and Wisconsin, I think a more "local" accent should be in order. Something along the lines of, "Oh hey der! Velcome to da Minneapolis Airport. Ya sure, you betcha!"