The Belgian train controller who said “hello” in French in the middle of Flemish territory will be prosecuted

He had praised passengers in French while he was in Flemish territory, Dutch -speaking region. Furthermore, The tray of the traveler was deemed founded.

A storm in a glass of water? Similarly, The case that makes a big noise in Belgium is above all symptomatic of the deep division in the country.

Last December. However, a SNCB train controller (the country’s SNCF) was the subject of a complaint for having said “hello” while he was in Vilvorde, Flemish side, Dutch -speaking region.

While the train circulates in Flemish territory. Moreover, the controller, welcomes the passengers of a “gueiemorgen” (hello in Dutch, editor’s note), before using the French equivalent.

The National Company of Belgian railways confirms that its employee had broken the linguistic rules in force. Therefore, Indeed. For example, the rules stipulate that the announcements made by the controllers must be exclusively in Dutch when the train circulates belgian train controller who said in Flemish territory.

Information screens in cars should also display messages only in Dutch. And when the train is in Brussels, the announcements can be made in Dutch and French. An exception exists for trains for Brussels Airport, where announcements are made in four languages: Dutch, French, German and English …

The head of the edge in question, Ilyass Alba, is very active on social networks (53,000 followers on Facebook). He regularly shares the passion for his job, anecdotes and little stories. The case then quickly takes on quite incredible proportions.

Incomprehension – Belgian train controller who said

To the point that the minister resigning mobility speaks on the subject. calling for more flexibility in the application of linguistic laws, a highly flammable subject in Belgium where the two communities live in a very separate manner.

But despite the support of this Minister. the Patroness of the SNCB, the Dutch -speaking press revealed a few days ago that the belgian train controller who said complaint filed by the traveler, was deemed founded by the permanent linguistic control commission.

On Facebook, Ilyass Alba does not hide his bitterness.

“What a Belgium! That a traveler files a complaint for that, in order to protect his mother tongue, I understand. But that a commission gives reason to it when travelers come from all over the world to visit Belgium. is the sign of a closure of mind on the part of a small Flemish elite. How can we ban a chief of the edge from welcoming customers and travelers with two languages?”, He wonders.

“What’s going on to think like that? Can we not show open-mindedness? Will part of Flanders succeed in detaching himself from the unilingual past of Belgium and make peace with itself? What respect for these French-speaking when the train crosses Flanders? Can we not greet everyone in both languages directly?”, He continues.

“It’s time to belgian train controller who said change this law! A train moves (…) Anyway, long live Belgium! Let’s continue to say” Goeiedag Hello “to Antwerpen, Charleroi, Namur, Brugge, Zottegem, Mons, Tournai, Sint-Truidé, Arlon or Hasselt!”, He writes on the social network.