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Southall bi-lingual signs post Elizabeth line
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The thread is the futility and cost of bilingual signs on the Network Rail system where it is not necessary. That includes Wales and it includes Scotland where only 2% of the population speaks Gaelic yet every station has bilingual signs.
IainG81
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I don't think that TFL will have bi lingual roundels. I can't off the top of my head (someone on here will know I'm sure) of a station that has a roundel with two words above and below each other. Normally the two words are side by side. Hopefully they might at least keep one that has the old style signs. But I'm pretty sure TFL will not have bi lingual signs.
I lived in Ealing for many years and was used to seeing the signs at Southall.
I lived in Ealing for many years and was used to seeing the signs at Southall.
Andyjs247
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Incidentally Bicester North and Bicester Town previously had signs in Japanese (as well as Mandarin). Now, as has already been stated, there is signage in Arabic and Mandarin. Not Japanese any more though.
Recorded announcements in both Mandarin and Arabic can be heard on the train approaching Bicester Village and sometimes on the platform too.
Recorded announcements in both Mandarin and Arabic can be heard on the train approaching Bicester Village and sometimes on the platform too.
Railsigns
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61653 HTAFC
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Sounds a bit bigoted...
A person who speaks English will always be at an advantage compared to someone who doesn't, even if bi-lingual signage was everywhere. I see no reason to stack the odds further in that direction.
Hmmm... so bi-lingual signage/announcements are acceptable if it's for tourists but not if it's for residents? Why is that? Both cost money to provide after all.
Though whenever the cost issue is brought up with regard to bi-lingual signage, I do wonder how much of a difference it actually makes. In the grand scheme of things, probably not that much compared to other costs that are just as "wasteful".
102 fan
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Bi-lingual signs at stations are all very well, but what happens when the person leaves the station to find English only signs everywhere else.........
matt_world2004
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Thats not going to happen in southall. Its the indian subcontinent version of china town.
102 fan
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All signage is bilingual?
matt_world2004
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A significant amount of signage around southall is either bilingual or in a language other than English. The only exceptions are probably council ones (but even then a few of them are in multiple languages)
Bantamzen
Established Member
Then there's the Yorkshire sign: Ilkla Moor Baht 'at
Now't wrong wi'that!!! I'd go further though, for example hustle alarms on trains here should replace the usual tone with "Na'then, get tha on t'train tha daft beggar, t'sooner we off, t'soona we gerr back!!"
102 fan
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Don't they teach English there anymore?
GatwickDepress
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Oh yes. Sorry centurion.I think you mean 'romani ite domum'.
Might I direct you to the Scots Wikipedia? Its wonderful.
Llanigraham
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tbtc
Veteran Member
What's the situation in Northern Ireland?
Are there any railway signs in Irish Gaelic and/or Ulster Scots?
(genuinely curious)
Are there any railway signs in Irish Gaelic and/or Ulster Scots?
(genuinely curious)
urpert
Member
I’m pretty sure at least one of the Heathrow stations (possibly Terminal 4) has the terminal number on a separate line as part of the roundel. Possibly also Hillingdon (Swakeleys).
Unfortunately not, at least not that one as I quickly knocked it up yesterday on seeing this thread.
urpert
Member
To follow up: looks like I’m wrong about Heathrow but right about Hillingdon:
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4886507
Welsh is an official language in Wales therefore having signs in Welsh is fairly obvious, however I don't think Punjabi is an official language of England. I have no objection to signs in tourist areas being in multiple languages after all if your on holiday you don't really want to spend time trying to learn the language, but your a resident then you need to learn the language, if I lived mainly in Spain then I would try and learn the language, but there are many Brits in Spain who don't make much effort in that respect
NSEFAN
Established Member
Apparently GWR have started using Russian characters for carriage letters
(Image of GWR HST with Russian-style character 'B' for carriage letter)
(Image of GWR HST with Russian-style character 'B' for carriage letter)
I certainly think having the signs
As a side note, when, as an immigrant, I arrived in Amsterdam, I could not understand why the Dutch spelt Telephone on the telephone box as Telefoon, but said the word as we do. Of course I eventually realised why when I learnt the language - can you work out why? Hint - how do you think one pronounces the name of Lars Boom, the racing cyclist?
I think I probably agree (Southall), but not for any reason other than the fact that if I were an immigrant, I would want not to have people think my area was an 'enclave' or 'ghetto'. The few words needed at stations can be acquired in short time. Once one has immigrated, one wants to merge in.
As a side note, when, as an immigrant, I arrived in Amsterdam, I could not understand why the Dutch spelt Telephone on the telephone box as Telefoon, but said the word as we do. Of course I eventually realised why when I learnt the language - can you work out why? Hint - how do you think one pronounces the name of Lars Boom, the racing cyclist?
37 418
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Not if the Bigots i.e. the DUP have anything to do with it
matt_world2004
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The use of native languages on public information signage and teaching the language in schools is about preserving that language and ensuring it dont die out . If there was no speakers or Welsh or Gaelic scotland and wales would lose a huge part of their cultural history amd identity.
According to the 2011 UK Census, 557 people in England and Wales declared their first language to be Cornish (Kernewek), and it is estimated that several thousand more are fluent in it. Cornish is a recognised minority language in the UK and is protected under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The Cornish are now recognised as a national minority by the UK Government, and Cornwall County Council''s policy is to support the language. A number of bilingual street signs now appear in the County.
Cornish is related to the Welsh language, although its closest counterpart is Breton as the two regions once had very close ties.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
FWIW, regardless of how useful it may or may not be, I think it's a really nice touch and I'd like it to stay. These days I doubt it costs any more, it's not like someone is manually signwriting it.
South Woodford also has a second line with "George Lane" on it.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...ndel.JPG/220px-South_Woodford_stn_roundel.JPG
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JBuchananGB
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I have only been to Wembley Park station once, and on that occasion most of the PA announcements were being repeated in German.
Hornet
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Not if the Bigots i.e. the DUP have anything to do with it
They might be bigots, but they don't go balancing loaves of bread on their heads.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-ne...following-kingsmill-controversy-36488582.html
37 418
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This is very true, but the DUP totally oppose use of Irish Gaelic, so therefore if they have their way you won't see bilingual signs in Northern Ireland, though possibly in Ulster Scots having said that, but definitely not in Irish Gaelic, even though most of the place names come from it.They might be bigots, but they don't go balancing loaves of bread on their heads.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-ne...following-kingsmill-controversy-36488582.html
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