Names of bus stops
While I agree fully with Mario Dingli (August 2) about having directional signs in English, I must note that the situation is similar with the Arriva buses, which give names of bus stops in Maltese and this only causes inconveniences to us Maltese but also to tourists.
It seems that no common sense prevails.
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Claire Busuttil
Aug 10th 2012, 08:59
when in spain, you have to try to understand spanish, same thing in france, and other countries.....so why only Malta have to change everything for the tourists benefit, after all, in the countries I mentioned toursits still go there!
Victor Laiviera
Aug 10th 2012, 08:34
You do not have to know the meaning of a place-name to find it.
paul camilleri
Aug 9th 2012, 13:56
i can only laugh at the comments made hereunder and the stupidity of the people involved in naming these bus stops.
Bunch of IDIOTS or should i say HMIR??? why for the love of all things sane did they not name the bus stops acording to the name of the street road its on?? if in a local road you have 3 stops then they put for instance Zebbug main street 1. zebbug main street / Muxi square (next ajoinning street name)2 and zebbug main street 3/ Sciortino street so simple
sewwa jeghdu limgienen barra ghedin!!!!!
Wally Vella-Zarb
Aug 9th 2012, 11:25
What difference does it make if a bus stop is called 'Frawla' or 'Ananas'? One simply learns the name of the stop where one needs to alight. What is important is that the names have a connection with the zone and that they are pronounced as well as written properly. In San Gwann we have stops called 'Balal' and 'Xwieki' that are nowhere near the zones that have these names. The stop that used to be near Malta Enterprise is still shown on the bus display as 'Industrialji' (sic). Evidently the person who wrote the coding cannot spell properly. Worse is the pronunciation of some of the names. For example, the stop 'Riħan' is announced as 'Rijan', ignoring the sound of the letter 'Ħ'. Similarly the stop in Floriana called 'Mall' is pronounced as if it were 'Maul' and not in the way that we Maltese would use. So, if a tourist would ask a local where the stop 'Maul' or 'Rijan' is located he would probably receive a blank look.
Gerry Cowie
Aug 9th 2012, 11:19
It used to be better when there were no announcements! The new names are senseless and do not really tell you where you are!
Mr J Xerri
Aug 9th 2012, 10:55
As far as I know on Arriva Buses destinations are announced in both Maltese and English, it's only the names that are kept original (some in Maltese, some in English, and even in other languages). Actually it is the custom practice in every country to keep the names of stops and towns in the original language. What is being asked here that we translate for example: Dud (deriving from Ghar id-Dud) in Worms; Bianco and Ross ( originating from surname) in White and Rice. etc, etc.
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2012, 12:50
No, Mr Xerri. Destinations and place names are announced and written in Maltese only, or rather, what is thought to be Maltese. Thus 'St Julians' (a version dating back at least a century and a half) is shown and announced only as 'San Giljan'. Moreover, in the English announcements, they continue with the tiresome practice of adding the Maltese definite article to place-names; thus 'Gzira' becomes 'Il-Gzira' also in the English announcement, which is patently wrong.
Only proper names of persons are not translated, but, for example, 'Ponsomby, Gzira' becomes 'Ponsomby, il-Gzira' even in English.
Victor Laiviera
Aug 10th 2012, 10:11
@ Andrew Azzopardi
No, it is NOT wrong when "Il-Gżira" stays "Il-Gżira" even in English. It is the correct usage. The article is an integral part of the name and should never be omitted. Same goes for places like "Tas-Sliema", "Ħaż-Żabbar", etc.
Mr Anton Borg
Aug 9th 2012, 10:51
That's not true....there are stops called "Splash" (near Splash and Fun) and "Kia" (near Kind's showroom).....ridiculous!
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2012, 13:42
There's also an 'Independent' stop in Birkirkara Road, St Julians. I've wondered about these - are these businesses sponsoring the bus stops in some way, or is it TM paying for using the trade-names?
Mr Tony Gatt
Aug 9th 2012, 10:39
It would help if the names were spelled correctly. In Marsascala there is a stop called 'Girgal' It is opposite near Triq il-Grigal.
A. MICALLEF
Aug 9th 2012, 10:30
In Germany all signs are in German, in Spain all signs are in Spanish, in France all signs
are in French, in Malta all signs should be in Maltese. Banks and Companies have degraded
the Maltese language and when phoning you are asked in E nglish language to choose
English or Maltese Language. The answer should first be in Maltese and than in English.
A painting in the departure lounge of our Airport has a plaque description first in English
language and below in Maltese, it should be the other way round. This is an insult and
Maltese language should always be given priority.
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2012, 13:00
Mr Micallef, in countries or territories which like Malta have two official languages, stops and signs would be in both languages. Thus, if you were to go to Brussels, all signs (including the names of stops on public transport) are shown and announced in both French and Flemish, whilst in Ireland, they are all in both English and Irish (Gaelic).
You need to travel more, Mr or Ms Micallef!
A. MICALLEF
Aug 9th 2012, 14:02
Andrew Azzopardi - The Belgians are French and Dutch and it is a must that they use both
national languages. Malta is Maltese and our only one official language is Maltese, like
French, German, Spanis, Italian,and no one should expect us to use these languages for
tourists coming from these countries. For your information only I have lived in Belgium for
4 years and I know really well the language and idendity problems in that country.
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2012, 15:03
@ Mr or Ms Micallef
I suggest you kindly have a look at Article 5 of the Constitution of Malta.
Tony Camilleri
Aug 10th 2012, 00:02
A. MICALLEF fully agree with you.
Re the English language in the Constitution MALTESE is the NATIONAL language even though English is an official language.
I would prefer that the Constitution only mentions the Maltese language and no other language as this will save us millions in having to do everything also in English.
Imagine what amounts of money we will save from having to translate everything into English, publish everything in English including the Government Gazette, notices and everything else.
This does not mean that our students will not learn English and other languages, but we are in Malta and everything should be in Maltese and not in any other foreign language.
Those who would want a translation should pay for it themselves not forcing us to pay for them millions of euros every year.
A. MICALLEF
Aug 10th 2012, 12:08
ANDREW AZZOPARDI - Read article 5 carefully and try to understand (available also in english
version) of the Constitution of Malta. The Maltese language is THE ONLY NATIONAL LANGUAGE
of Malta. Whether you like it or not, this will never be changed. According to our Constitution
English language together with other languages which in futurewe might also add, is one of
the official languages. Official is definetly not National.
Andrew Azzopardi
Aug 9th 2012, 10:30
Some of the Maltese-only names are, how shall I put it, creative. There is a stop called 'Imperu' in Rue d'Argens, Gzira. 'Imperu'?? They translated the name of the former Empire Stadium, which is nearby.
Adrian Pavia
Aug 9th 2012, 11:31
B'daqsekk x'fiha hazin? Londra hemm underground jismu Barking u iehor Burnt Oak. Ghaliex niehdu gost nirredikolaw il Malti?
Please choose the reason of your report below: