THE ‘T-I-M' GIRL’S ACCENT

Evening Star, Issue 22026, 11 May 1935, Page 15

THE ‘T-I-M' GIRL’S ACCENT

11 TALKING CLOCK" VOICE TELEPHONISTS’ KEEN COMPETITION. LONDON, April 29. Which is the most poular English accent? . This controversial question is likely to meet with renewed discussion among local patriots and sponsors of “ standard English,” as a result of the Post Office search for the girl with the “ golden voice ” The Post Office is organising a competition among women telephone operators in order to find the ideal voice for use in a V talking clock,” which will tell subscribers the time. Out of a possible 15,000 voices, belonging to telephonists in all parts of the country, one must be selected. Will the public wish to be told the time in the soft burr of the West Country, the broad vowels of the North, the sharper tones of London — or perhaps an impeccable 8.8. C. ? “As far as the Post Office is concerned, we do not consider accent or pronunciation the principal factor,” an official said. The first essential # is clarity; for the rest, we are leaving it to the public. “ On the judging committees of the second and third eliminating tests in the provincial centres there will be two members of the public, ■ and at the final test in London at the end of nest month the public will also be represented.” , The apparatus used to operate the “ talking clock ” is an ingenious mechanism invented by the G.P.O. technical staff. The chief feature is a photo-electric cell, and the ■ clock mechanism is linked to a sound film of the type used iii the talkies. Subscribers on automatic exchanges will, by dialling “ T-I-M,” be connected with the apparatus and will hear the golden voice—“ 11 o’clock, 12 minutes, and 10 seconds or whatever 1 form of phraseology is ultimately chosen. Great enthusiasm is being shown by the telephone girls.