Salford Quays is an area in the Salford region of Greater Manchester, England. It is situated near the end of the Manchester Ship Canal. It was once the site of the Salford Docks prior to undergoing massive regeneration over the past decade.
Almost four years back, I made a discovery in Salford Quays. I noticed what, at first, appeared to be an ordinary sign welcoming all and sundry to the Salford Quays area (pictured). The first line was written in French, the second line in German, and the third line was in… Zulu? Ndebele? Judge for yourself -
“Siyakwamkela e Salford Quays”. I was totally caught off guard.
Given the latest immigrant trends in the United Kingdom, who knows what language will pop up on the next road sign I see. If the sign pictured below is anything to go by, Southern Africans are at least assured a decent welcome in Salford Quays (fingers crossed)…
6 Comments
August 19, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Well spotted! It’s Xhosa or Zulu, and apparently was put up to welcome the South African athletes competing in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Things ya didn’t know ya didn’t know
August 19, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Jeanne – you deserve a Zulu drum roll for that explanation! That sign has left me bewildered for the longest time. Cheers for that!
August 19, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Oh wow, thats is exciting, never knew there was such a sign written in zulu/xhosa. i just always assumed that sign will be writen in mostly spoken languages.
Love the site its great.
August 19, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Cleo – great hearing from you – thanks for stopping over and thanks for the compliment. Yes – the sign certainly makes you stop and pay attention if you’re inclined to speaking Zulu/Xhosa/Ndebele!
August 30, 2008 at 2:34 am
This is really funny, I will look for the sign the next time I am in Manchester ….
August 30, 2008 at 8:33 pm
PGapa – LOL – you do that – always good hearing from you!