diff --git a/src/cthulhu/speech_generator.py b/src/cthulhu/speech_generator.py
index 0b533e1..9b96d79 100644
--- a/src/cthulhu/speech_generator.py
+++ b/src/cthulhu/speech_generator.py
@@ -748,15 +748,20 @@ class SpeechGenerator(generator.Generator):
         method for scripts to call.
         """
         generated = self._generateRoleName(obj, **args)
-        if generated:
-            return generated[0]
-
-        return ""
+        return self._getFirstString(generated)
 
     def getName(self, obj, **args):
         generated = self._generateName(obj, **args)
-        if generated:
-            return generated[0]
+        return self._getFirstString(generated)
+
+    def _getFirstString(self, generated):
+        for item in generated or []:
+            if isinstance(item, str):
+                return item
+            if isinstance(item, list):
+                nestedString = self._getFirstString(item)
+                if nestedString:
+                    return nestedString
 
         return ""