Outside working order
I know it’s not Dunglish per se, but I couldn’t resist. I’d like to chalk this one up to a bureaucratic mentality, which basically means it’s not important enough to do something about it until someone dies. I’m surprised at such a display of information at an Amsterdam metro station. What’s with wanting to have it in English, French and German as well? How very Brussels. The ‘German’ version reminds me of a friend’s answering machine message that was entirely in French and then said ‘same thing in English’. I love the subtle use of ‘un TVM’ in French, which is lazy for ‘Ticket Vending Machine’ and not at all French. People, leave it in Dutch and English and we’ll figure it out.
(Photo: Hans)
November 23rd, 2005 at 11:21 am
In the Dutch text I find the ‘and’ between Verkoop and Informatiepunt quite intriguing.
November 23rd, 2005 at 12:41 pm
“People, leave it in Dutch and English”
Why? Do you see any Dutch or English here?
November 23rd, 2005 at 1:02 pm
Funny guy 🙂
November 23rd, 2005 at 2:43 pm
Interesting: the dutch and french text advice you to use an other machine (just one), whereas the english text (a) contains a mistake (other[b]s[/b] machines) and (b) urges you to use machines[b]s[/b] (yes, one doesn’t suffice :-))
November 23rd, 2005 at 3:10 pm
Advise you 😉 (one for the new glossary, complete with soundbites!)
My German friend said “I’m happy they warned us it was in German, we never would have known”. LOL
November 23rd, 2005 at 3:11 pm
Or advises you (3rd person singular), whatever, not important!
December 1st, 2005 at 4:25 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if the sign went through a convoluted translation process (sent to people of various capabilities in different places, ‘edited’ by others who had no idea what they were doing). After all, the English looks suspiciously like Frenglish (wonky English written by French speakers – not the same as franglais) with that ‘others machines’, while the French … I don’t know; someone who works with a lot of English transit jargon could have thrown that ‘TVM’ in there.
I guess they just ran out of time waiting for the German translator!
As for it being in multiple languages, that’s very admirable given that Amsterdam is popular with tourists, but on the other hand, if you’re there without knowing Dutch or English, you can get some people to answer you in sloppy German, French is hard to find other than on a menu and forget about anything else.