A proposal that is debated
Questioned by us on Monday, Georges Gilkinet, the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Mobility (Eco), was, like the SNCB, in favor of a relaxation of the rules in force to allow controllers to carry out messages to users in both languages. “A strict and blind application of linguistic regulations, as regularly demanded by elected officials from Belang or the N-VA, makes no sense today.”he explained. “It goes without saying that SNCB must continue to use as a priority the language of residents of the territory in which it operates to inform travelers. However, it seems to me entirely welcome that it also provides information in other languages, particularly national ones, to better inform travelers.”
It is clear that in Flanders, politicians are not on the same wavelength. For the president of the CD&V, Sammy Mahdi, such a change would mean “a lack of respect” for the Dutch language. “All my sympathy for this train attendant who certainly had good intentions but, as a public authority, we cannot throw our language legislation overboard like that”he explained to our colleagues from Het Laatste Nieuws. In his view, relaxation would also discourage newcomers to Flanders from learning Dutch.
Flemish Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA) sends his “sympathy” to the controller. But wonder why?is almost 100-year-old legislation suddenly being called into question?”
On the French-speaking side, PS MP Khalil Aousti wonders what could constitute the greatest danger for the Dutch language. “The one who welcomes his passengers in both languages or the one who, curled up on himself, considers that a simple word in French constitutes an existential attack on Dutch?
Same tone on the DéFI side. “In Flanders, a user took the time to file a complaint because a train controller dared to say “hello” in French.notes François De Smet. “But apart from that, there is no nationalist problem in this country.”
Support from the CEO
Note that the guide received incredible support on social networks. But also the big boss of SNCB, Sophie Dutordoir. Often discreet, she published a very clear message. “On our trains, there are travelers who come from all over Belgium and elsewhere.she wrote on the social network LinkedIn. “Thank you to our guides for communicating, in a professional and warm manner, with all our travelers and for their “hello, goeiedag, guten Tag”, and sometimes even more. Reception, information, security and control are essential. And then… you can never wish someone a good day too much.”
