As mentioned above, the
Metrocard Vending Machines can display information in any of
eight languages. The
MTA has used this ability to
actually make life easier for
commuters.
The eight languages available are:
all using the proper
alphabet.
The screen usually has room to display up to
six choices. English and Spanish are
always displayed, since those are essentially the
default languages of
New York City. The other language choices are programmed in depending on the
neighborhood that the machine is in (i.e. the machines in heavily Korean neighborhoods like
Flushing would show Korean as a third choice, and the Russians in Brighton Beach would find Russian as a
menu item).
To make life easier for the hapless commuter that selects the wrong option, the screen layout is always the same, and the Go Back and Cancel buttons are always in the same place, set out from the rest of the screen. (For the confused or lost in a foreign font, the buttons are on the lower right of the screen. Go Back is the white button, Cancel the red). In fact, once one gets used to the layout, one can just press any language button and still have a successful transaction.
The machines can also be used to reinforce language training. Since one always has the option to cancel in case of an accident, one can select a language that s/he is practicing and try and get a MetroCard using only that language.
Keep in mind that this may be an expensive experiment. This noder assumes no responsibility for any harm, financial or otherwise, that comes from this practice. Thank you.