The Holiday Inn Express in Hull, Yorkshire has risked the ire of locals by including an English-to-Hull translation document to its welcome pack to help visitors understand the local tongue.
Translations for key words, such as “skeg” (to look); “myrrh-bile” (mobile phone); and “summatup?” (is something troubling you?) have all been included, reports the Daily Telegraph.
The guide has provoked an angry response from some members of the local community, one of whom described it as “disgusting”.
Marilyn Marsden, of Bilton, in East Yorkshire, told the Telegraph: “I rang the hotel and spoke to the duty manager and I asked how he dared abuse Hull people. He said it wasn't meant to be abusive but I feel it is a personal affront to me and the people of Hull.”
But Luc Perquin, the general manager, said the response from guests had been “excellent” since he launched the guide three months ago.
“Everybody speaks it so why be embarrassed about it? The Hull accent is something that local people should be proud of because it is part of their identity,” he told the Telegraph. “At no point did I ever consider this to be offensive to anyone in Hull. This has never been meant to disrespect anybody,” he said.
UK’s first Express by Holiday Inn sold >>
Holiday Inn to get $1b global overhaul >>
High life in Hull >>
Kew Green asks £27.5m for Europe’s largest Express by Holiday Inn >>
By Daniel Thomas
E-mail your comments to Daniel Thomas here.
Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next hotel job here with Catererseach.com jobs
| | Newsletters
For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our e-mail newsletters. | |