“Goeiedag, bonjour”: train conductor's bilingual greeting in Flemish region deemed illegal

A passenger’s complaint about an SNCB train conductor greeting passengers in French and Dutch while travelling through the Flemish region has been upheld by the Permanent Commission for Language Supervision, reports RTBF.

It was in November 2024 that Ilyass Alba famously delivered a cheerful “Goeiedag, bonjour” on a train approaching Vilvoorde station in the Flemish region. One passenger took offence and reported the conductor to the language commission.

The linguistic dispute sparked headlines beyond Belgium and led to a question in parliament about the state-operated rail network’s language rules.

Currently, conductors can only use both Dutch and French once a train officially crosses the "language border" and enters the bilingual Brussels region.

The affair also provoked widespread coverage because the SNCB employee in question boasts more than 50,000 followers on his Facebook page dedicated to his activities as a train conductor. As a result of the publicity, Alba launched a successful line of coffee mugs inscribed with the viral expression ‘Bonjour Goeiedag’.

After the complaint was upheld, Alba lamented Belgium’s linguistic complexities. “That a passenger would file a complaint about this, in an effort to protect his mother tongue, I understand,” he told his followers.

"But that a Commission rules in his favour when passengers come from all over the world to visit Belgium is a sign of the narrow-mindedness of a small Flemish elite. How can a train manager be prohibited from welcoming CUSTOMERS and PASSENGERS who speak two languages? Can't we be open-minded?” he pleaded.

At the time of the complaint, Alba was not sanctioned for the bilingual greeting and has received the full support of his employer.

SNCB risks receiving a warning about the need to enforce the language rules. But the company brushed off the decision, claiming that “its employee had wanted to warmly welcome all travellers, out of concern for the customer, a point to which we attach great importance."

Alba also expressed his gratitude to supporters from all over the country. Writing in French, he said: “Many of you, especially from Flanders, have been writing to me since this morning to express your support. Hartelijk bedankt! Thank you so much! It's time to change this law! A train moves. Are we going to ban announcements in Dutch, French, and English on Eurocity or Eurostar trains to Rotterdam when the train is in Mechelen or Antwerp?

Belgium’s linguistic disputes are likely to continue to rumble on...

Photos: ©Ilyass Alba Facebook page