2016年9月24日土曜日

Scrupulous or Graphic? Lost in Translation 03

Tokyo station, the largest terminal station where over 20 lines come in, cross and pass through. Railway system in Japan is famous for its punctuality, efficiency and scrupulousness. Whenever there is a problem in the system causing inconvenience to the passengers, the railway company does its best to follow up, recover and secure the regular operation.

I was in Tokyo station heading back for home. One of the lines passing through Tokyo station seemed not to be in operation at the time. Many passengers were wandering round, looking at notice boards, asking for information from the railway staff. Then, I heard this announcement first in Japanese and then in English. I was taken aback by the words heard in the English announcement:

“The ○○ line will not operate due to ‘a person hit by a train.’”

‘A person hit by a train’!

The image of the scene ran in my head.


It may be necessary to provide a detailed information to the passengers to explain why the service had been suspended, but does it have to be SO graphic?!

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