In
Arthur C. Clarke's
2001 series, the
linguist/
software engineer/
programmer/
teacher responsible for the
HAL 9000, the world's most sinister
AI. His last name is frequently abbreviated to "Chandra." If I was teaching a computer to speak English, I'd settle for that, too.
...
(A scene from 2010)
Chandra: This is initial voice logic reconstruction test number one. Diagnostics on voice recognition in speech synthesis centres have been completed. At this level, all functions appear normal. (Types)
Hal: (Metallic, mechanical and not at all Hal-like) HELLO...DOCTOR...NAME...CONTINUE...YESTERDAY...TOMORROW.
(Chandra makes some adjustment and Hal tries again, with equally bizarre results).
(The cycle is repeated again, and again, until)
Hal: Good morning, Dr Chandra, this is Hal. I'm ready for my first lesson.
Chandra goes dewy-eyed.