the essential
A Belgian train conductor greeted train passengers in both national languages while in Flanders. He is the subject of a complaint.
His politeness could cost him trouble with the law. A complaint was filed against a Belgian train controller because he said “hello” in French, after greeting passengers in Flemish while the train was in Vilvoorde, Flanders, according to France 3.
The controller, Ilyass Alba, shared his story on his Facebook account. “A traveler filed a complaint and contacted the Commission concerning the uses of languages,” he explains.
SNCB rules are strict: announcements on trains must be made in the language of the region. “It’s not forbidden. That’s what I did and what I denounce,” insists Ilyass Alba. The Belgian controller assures that he did not break any rules, because he used French for a greeting and not an announcement.
“More flexibility”
These rules, set by the legislation on the use of languages in administrative matters of July 18, 1966, are from another time for the spokesperson for the SNCB, Vincent Bayer.
“The regulations currently are not sufficiently oriented towards the traveler,” he assures. “We would like more flexibility,” asks the SNCB spokesperson.
World
