The MBTA's new ticket vending machines...

[randomness]

...have three language options: English, Español, and 中文 (Zhōngwén--Chinese). If you choose the last option, the screen displays in 簡体字 (jiǎntǐzì--simplified characters).

Moreover, if you then hit the button for the audible option, it speaks to you in 普通话 (Pǔtōnghuà--Standard Mandarin)!

I like it.

(However, I'm surprised that other languages--Portuguese in particular--aren't offered.)

Comments

[quezz.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised they don't offer traditional characters! Or Cantonese...

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

I did think the combination they chose was interesting. Not necessarily wrong, although you could argue for both traditional characters and Cantonese, but significant.

I'm not sure the MBTA is fully aware of the significance, though. :)

[contrariety.livejournal.com]

Hmm, there's a non-trivial chance, I think, that Portuguese speakers could navigate through simple Spanish menus. Maybe Spanish was therefore deemed the best use of resources?

[gingicat]

So, were your ears burning this evening? You were mentioned in conversation this evening at happyfunpaul and bercilakslady's foo, in the context of conversational Chinese. Made me realize how long it's been since I've seen you.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

It has been too long! We really wish we'd gotten over to their foo.