In a recent episode on a train in Belgium, a seemingly simple greeting turned into a significant linguistic dispute. During rush hour, train attendant Ilyass Alba greeted passengers using both Dutch and French, saying “goeiemorgen” and “bonjour.” While this bilingual approach might appear straightforward in a country known for its diverse languages, it did not sit well with one Dutch-speaking commuter.
This commuter took issue with Alba’s use of French, asserting that Dutch was the only appropriate language in Dutch-speaking Flanders. The presence of multiple language communities in Belgium often leads to friction regarding language use, and this incident was no exception. The passenger confronted Alba directly, insisting, “You need to speak in Dutch.”
As tensions rose, Mr. Alba attempted to clarify the situation to surrounding passengers—in French. This further aggravated the situation, prompting the disgruntled passenger to escalate the matter by filing a complaint with Belgium’s Permanent Commission for Linguistic Control.
After a thorough review, the commission delivered its findings five months later, stating that the complaint was “well founded.” They ruled that Alba should have communicated solely in Dutch, citing administrative laws related to the use of official languages.
The commission emphasized the importance of responding in the traveler’s language as soon as it is identified, reinforcing the delicate balance that must be maintained in multilingual settings such as Belgium. Their ruling serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges associated with language rights and expression in a nation where linguistic identity is a deeply rooted part of the cultural landscape.
