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Dear Apple, dear Microsoft

Posted by Peter Himschoot on December 3, 2006
4 comments

Dear Big non-EU Company,

Just so you would know, Belgium is a country where people speak three (YES THREE) different languages, Dutch, French and German. Most of us even speak two of these fluently, and a lot of us understand English to some degree.

Is it so hard for you to learn that, if you present a legal form, you should present it not only in French, but also in Dutch and German. I am sick of registering to find only one language present. I'm not capable of understanding the legal language used in these 'terms' in my motherlanguage, so surely not in any other language. Or sending mailings only in French, not Dutch nor German. I really don't understand this consistent option of taking French, because the majority in Belgium speaks Dutch. Skype is really good at this, if you visit their home page www.skype.be, you get automatically redirected to their french page. Luckily in this case you can change afterward, but ask first, then redirect! Don't get me wrong, I respect all languages and cultures.

I think this is a lack of respect for your customers, and I think you should consider looking into this matter.

Respectfully,

Peter Himschoot

This post is being triggered by yet another "international" company that believes everyone in Belgium speaks French, and I know this company has representatives in Belgium, so they CAN and SHOULD know.

P.S.: This post is my personal opinion, and should in no way be seen as representing the company I work for. This means you should not refer to this post saying U2U anywhere, use my name...

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Comments (4) -

December 4. 2006 03:58 AM

Hey nice idea. I support the motion here.

I whish someone would also fix this for the xbox live. Really anoying paying for a service which is in the wrong language

December 4. 2006 04:20 AM

Hello Peter, about 6 weeks ago I reported the same to Microsoft and Tom Mertens helped me with that. I had problems with the fact that the emails they send out to download the RC of Windows Vista were in French only. I also hate the fact that when you meet people outside Belgium and you tell them you are from Belgium that they automatically try to speak French.

December 4. 2006 11:14 AM

Forgot to mention that the biggest annoyment is the site http://www.the-inquirer.net">http://www.the-inquirer.net that has changed a couple of months ago. Try to reach the English site, if you find a way please let me know.

May 21. 2007 12:04 AM

Hello, I have the same problem. I'm registred partner and I receive the message in .... Dutch. Chocked I'm ? no, not really, not at all, I searcha translation in French or in English, if it's not available, I delete the mail ans that's it. I know in this "country" speak French is more and more an shame but it's my language I can't count how many international company think Dutch is THE language of Belgium. I'm upset ? no .... I just click on "Français" link .... Pourquoi faire une tempête dans un verre d'eau hein ? Christian, PS : Peter, I met you in a VS2005 presentation in Electrabel fe months ago. Presentation in ... english for french speaker normal do you think ?