A sign of our times?

All I am going to say about yesterday's game is: "Congratulations, Germany!" Now, let's move on to more interesting things...

Do you know the feeling when somebody tells you about something funny they have seen, but, even if that person is a reliable friend, you can't quite believe it until you have seen it with your own eyes?

I thought so. Well, let me tell you about a recent example.

Ken Taylor, one of our Business Spotlight authors, told me about a hilarious translation mistake he had seen at Munich Airport. I have worked with Ken for many years and trust him 100 per cent. But I still couldn't quite believe what he told me.

Indeed, I was surprised I hadn't seen the mistake for myself, being a very frequent flyer who often feels like he spends half his life at Munich Airport. I guess I just don't notice things there any more.

Anyway, next time I was at the airport, I checked. And there it was. Ken was indeed telling the truth. (Sorry I ever doubted you, Ken.) And as far as I know, the mistake is still on view.

It can be found on a sign that tells people about repair works to an escalator that goes down to the train platforms. It advises passengers to use a different escalator or take the lift. In German, the sign says, "Bitte benutzen Sie die gegenüberliegende Rolltreppe oder die Treppe/den Lift rückwärtig."

According to my dictionary, rückwärtig is an adjective meaning "(at the) rear" or "(at the) back". But somehow, the text got translated as, "Please use the escalator on the opposite side or the elevator backwards."

Backwards? Are they serious? You have to walk into the elevator backwards? Or are you supposed to stand backwards inside the elevator (whatever that means)?

Of course not. It is just a (stupid) translation mistake. But why, at one of the world's best airports, didn't a native speaker check the text? At least, I hope they didn't...

What was that? You won't believe me unless you see the sign for yourself? Well, here it is:

Can you walk backwards, please!