Are there cameras or not on the Metro?
I saw this sign on the Metro and have come to the conclusion that it’s a classic example of bad writing.
“There may be camera surveillance on all Metro trains…” is about as vague as it gets. Either there is camera surveillance on all trains or there isn’t. Without being able to understand the Danish version, I’m guessing that the issue is all. There may be camera surveillance on some Metro trains… makes sense.
But the problem could also be with the modal verb may. In which case, the sentence could read: There is camera surveillance on all Metro trains… .
This is an example of good intentions going to waste because of poor execution. While us non-Danish speakers appreciate the effort put in to giving us information in English, the effort is pointless if the English version isn’t checked for accuracy (and sense).
And it’s a lesson for all writers, whether writing in English or any other language. The written word is fixed and the reader rarely has a chance to double-check the meaning. So you have to be 100% clear in what you write…and the reader must be left in no doubt. For me, this is the number 1 golden rule and it is more important than style, tone of voice or conciseness. Because if the reader doesn’t understand, you’ve failed in your main goal.
So what’s the best way to ensure your writing is clear? Ask someone else to read it - because although it may make sense you, it may not be clear to the reader.
But back to the Metro. There is one more possibility. It’s possible that the Metro authorities don’t know if there is camera surveillance on all trains or not - in which case, they’d be better off not writing anything.
December 30th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
The interesting thing about the Copenhagen Metro’s failed attempts at English is their complete lack of (a) announcements in English and (b) use of the word “Airport” on destination boards. A small airport symbol may be there, but how many tourists going to or from the airport know that it’s called “Lufthavn”?
The (overground) trains on Copenhagen manage to announce “Airport” and even “Elsinore” for “Helsingør”. And recently they have finally managed to start saying “Copenhagen Central Station” too.
So come on Metro, wake up!
January 4th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Yes, I thought the very same thing about the new airport route when returning from the UK recently. Everything else on the Metro system appears to be bilingual, but the word “Airport” was nowhere to be found at the lufthavn station. Nowhere!
January 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Pointless warnings: Americanization at its best, if you ask me! It reminds me of the package of almonds I got on a trans-Atlantic flight. The package stated: THIS BAG MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF NUTS.
Seriously? And here we’ve all been thinking almonds are fruit…
January 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
I guess the almonds could have been so genetically modified that there were only traces left…
January 15th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Ah but at least you noticed the sign! I can never work out where the trains are going because there are so few maps on the stations and the maps in the train are miniscule. Plus, when you try and look into the train to check the detination you can’t see the maps becuase they are covered by the hand rails.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Yes, Paul & Russel, you’re right! And to make it even more confusing, the stop before the airport is called Kastrup. I lived in Copenhagen for four years (and understand Lufthavn), and I still got off at the wrong station the first time I took the Metro to the airport.