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Honda Jazz Forums => Honda Jazz Mk4 2020 - => Topic started by: mitchelln on September 07, 2022, 11:58:38 AM

Title: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: mitchelln on September 07, 2022, 11:58:38 AM: Hi.

I test drove a 2022 EX at the weekend prior to ordering one and noticed that the built in SatNav was absolutely hopeless at pronouncing UK place and road names. Dorchester was pronounced "Door retch chester", Ringwood as "Rangwood", Churchill Way as "Churr retch hell Way" etc. I reckon it was getting around half the place and road names wrong. To the point where some of the road names were indecipherable.

Is this a known issue or was the demonstrator's software just out of date or is there a voice that works and still announces road and place names? It seems bizarre that a SatNav could be so bad at saying names in this day and age.

I know Android Auto is probably a better bet, but it would be nice if the built in SatNav that's an additional cost was actually useful.

Thanks!
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Neil Ives on September 07, 2022, 02:42:31 PM: It makes me laugh when they do that. On one of my regular journeys the Satnav says "Take the first left onto the sol eye hull by-pass". That is the 'Solihull bypass'.

Actually, saying road names is kind of irrelevant. If I know the road name I don't need guidance. If I don't know the route, it's too late to see the road name after I've turned.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Kremmen on September 07, 2022, 05:45:51 PM: I'd head straight for Android Auto as the built in Garmin Nav has no traffic.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: dfconnolly on September 07, 2022, 06:53:06 PM: You should try it living in Wales!
Seriously though, I’d go with Google maps as it’s live traffic, more up to date and the pronunciation is better…..you’ll need to use a cable connection to iPhone though as on Bluetooth it can be a bit laggy.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: mitchelln on September 08, 2022, 09:08:50 AM: Thanks for the responses. I'll probably use Android Auto. Didn't realise the built in SatNav didn't have traffic. Explains why the dealership was cagey when I asked how it got data!
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Kremmen on September 08, 2022, 09:25:26 AM: "In 50 yards take the next turning to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch"

You missed the turning !
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Neil Ives on September 08, 2022, 09:28:09 AM: Quote from: Kremmen on September 08, 2022, 09:25:26 AM
"In 50 yards take the next turning to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch"

You missed the turning !
:D
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: mitchelln on September 08, 2022, 10:41:03 AM: Quote from: Kremmen on September 08, 2022, 09:25:26 AM
"In 50 yards take the next turning to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch"

You missed the turning !
Made my day! :D
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Lord Voltermore on September 08, 2022, 10:59:10 AM: My old Garmin standalone pronounces Ljubljana (the capital of Slovenia) "Jubble Janna" instead of' Loobie Yarna ' . It also has great difficulties with some languages because where the local spelling has a diacritic (accent squiggle) it doesnt even try to say that letter.

The one on the Jazz says "Rye Turn" instead of Right Turn. (and Lef Turn) I didnt notice at first but once I did I always hear it . (so forget I mentioned it ;D()
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: nowster on September 08, 2022, 05:21:17 PM: Quote from: Kremmen on September 08, 2022, 09:25:26 AM
"In 50 yards take the next turning to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch"

You missed the turning !

To be fair, the locals call it Llanfair PG.

And, yes, even Google Maps gets Welsh street names wrong.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Kremmen on September 09, 2022, 04:44:55 AM: What I don't understand is why Garmin insist on using street names instead of road numbers when available.

If you are in strange territory, approaching a junction with many exits then "turn right into station road" means nothing unless you are a local but "turn right onto the A1234" will more than likely match a road sign that would help identify the correct exit.

They used to use numbers so why the change
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Bristol_Crosstar on September 09, 2022, 09:34:41 AM: I must admit I like the Garmin system despite no traffic data on there, it gives you a choice of routes and mostly doesn't send you down narrow lanes unless there's no other option. I also like how it counts down the distance to the next turn-off on the dash, very useful if you don't know the area.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Kremmen on September 09, 2022, 09:52:43 AM: Android Auto Google Maps also does the countdown thing, and in the driver display like the Garmin so you don't need to look left.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Lord Voltermore on September 09, 2022, 10:20:47 AM: Garmin does sometimes send you down silly little roads,even back alleys and dirt tracks to cut off a corner if it might save 30 seconds, or 100 metres distance. I might need to experiment with route preference settings, maybe disable unpaved roads and try something different for fastest/ shortest/least fuel etc.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Bristol_Crosstar on September 09, 2022, 03:00:11 PM: Quote from: Kremmen on September 09, 2022, 09:52:43 AM
Android Auto Google Maps also does the countdown thing, and in the driver display like the Garmin so you don't need to look left.
I've tried using Google but it's a faff getting it to recognize the phone (it does eventually) and also the maps don't always move so your current location is in the middle and has to be moved manually, probably there's a setting to be changed but I just find it much easier using Garmin.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: peteo48 on September 09, 2022, 03:41:21 PM: There's a place in the Warrington suburbs called Lingley Green. My old Tom Tom used to call it "Linguini Green."

A nice pasta dish!
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Kremmen on September 09, 2022, 04:43:54 PM: Quote from: Bristol_Crosstar on September 09, 2022, 03:00:11 PM
Quote from: Kremmen on September 09, 2022, 09:52:43 AM
Android Auto Google Maps also does the countdown thing, and in the driver display like the Garmin so you don't need to look left.
I've tried using Google but it's a faff getting it to recognize the phone (it does eventually) and also the maps don't always move so your current location is in the middle and has to be moved manually, probably there's a setting to be changed but I just find it much easier using Garmin.

Fortunately mine recognises my Samsung S10 very quickly, and on wireless. I'm also fortunate that I can run Google Maps in satellite view and my positioning is spot on, no lag that some have reported. Maybe that's because my phone is away from the dash so no or less interference.
I'm suspicious about having the phone on the dedicated tray which isn't in an optimal position for it to get GPS.

I'm not keen on running the built in with no traffic detours. Could be frustrating.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Neil Ives on September 09, 2022, 05:35:53 PM: Quote from: Kremmen on September 09, 2022, 04:44:55 AM
What I don't understand is why Garmin insist on using street names instead of road numbers when available.....
I so agree.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: nowster on September 09, 2022, 11:31:42 PM: Quote from: peteo48 on September 09, 2022, 03:41:21 PM
There's a place in the Warrington suburbs called Lingley Green. My old Tom Tom used to call it "Linguini Green."

A nice pasta dish!

And locally there's an Assheton Way in a local town which many years ago Waze decided should have the first syllable pronounced to rhyme with farce.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Lord Voltermore on September 10, 2022, 09:45:38 AM: The Voice is computer generated and relies on phonetical interpretation of spellings. . We tend to forget how complex English can be regarding different pronunciations and emphasis depending on spelling , and even local usage and convention. For instance my dad always jokingly called Burntisland in Scotland Burntis-land. (I assume 'Burnt Island' is correct. ) And there is a village in Kent called Trottiscliffe, which the locals pronounce 'Trosley'. Some local amenities are actually spelled Trosley. I dont know how satnav says these examples.

I find it remarkable that it is still able to speak in a posh English female voice (if thats your setting)

On the last garmin update I did I noticed some data, that possibly shouldnt have been displayed to users, which indicated the maps are updated by Chinese speakers. It appears addresses are often translated into Pinyin (Chinese ,using Latin letters) based on how the name sounds phonetically - to a chinese speaker.
For instance Calais sometimes appears as something like 'kalay' (I cant remember exactly ) I suspect the software for the voice may be reading the pinyin phonetic version ,which may reflect the pronunciation of a Chinese speaker, or other low wage countries such as India. This is fair enough to some extent, would you be prepared to pay UK or American Wages, or only have updates every few years . And the phonetic may be better. Calais might otherwise be read as Cal -Ace although if IIRC is still does not say Calais quite the same way as an English speaker with a bit too much emphasis on the second syllable .But it could be correct to a French speaker.

With my old standalone Garmin if you set Waypoints you could rename then. I was very tempted to configure it so the 'voice' said something naughty , such as "arriving at ' tickle my bottom' on the left" ;D

It may be possible on the Jazz garmin, but of course I am far too mature and sensible to find out.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Jazzik on September 10, 2022, 10:08:31 AM: Quote from: Lord Voltermore on September 10, 2022, 09:45:38 AM
.....but of course I am far too mature and sensible to find out.

(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/konfus/a014.gif)
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Lord Voltermore on September 10, 2022, 10:18:14 AM: Quote from: Jazzik on September 10, 2022, 10:08:31 AM
Quote from: Lord Voltermore on September 10, 2022, 09:45:38 AM
.....but of course I am far too mature and sensible to find out.

(https://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/midi/konfus/a014.gif)
:P
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Neil Ives on September 10, 2022, 07:37:18 PM: 30 years ago I wrote a Speak-n-Spell program for our kids. Our Amiga computer had a built in voice. I discovered that I needed to have a list of words that was correctly spelled and another phonetic list for the voice to say. One example was our sons name; George. The computer pronounced his name along the lines of Geeorgee, (hard G's). I needed to spell his name Jorj for the computer voice. My son liked that and has adopted it.
You can see him and how he likes his name, here: https://bikmo.com/uk/about-bikmo/team/
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: RichardA on September 11, 2022, 11:22:22 AM: The traffic report on Heart Sussex and Surrey often mispronunces place names since they switched from local to networked breakfast show. For exampele, Berwick ('Berr-ik') becomes 'Ber-Wick' and Wisley ('Wizli') becomes 'Wise-li'.
Title: Re: SatNav mispronouncing place and road names
Post by: Lord Voltermore on September 11, 2022, 12:51:49 PM: Here is a video I made of my standalone Garmin (Aggie the sat Nag) attempting Serbo-Croat. I have no idea who the cackling humans might be. :-[ :-X