Tech billionaire Elon Musk has added his opinion to an ongoing discussion about bilingual signage at London’s Whitechapel station. Responding to a post by Rupert Lowe – UK MP for Great Yarmouth on X (formerly Twitter), Musk replied with a simple “Yes.” Lowe’s post argued that station names in London should be displayed “in English, and English only,” referring to Whitechapel’s signs, which include Bengali alongside English.
Sharing the post, Lowe wrote “This is London – station name should be in English and English only”. Musk responded to it with “Yes”.
Whitechapel, situated in East London, has long been a significant hub for the British Bangladeshi community. The Bengali signage was introduced in 2022 by Transport for London (TfL) to celebrate the cultural heritage of British Bangladeshis, who have been an integral part of the Whitechapel community for decades. The initiative was then aimed to honor the area’s diverse history and acknowledge the contributions of the British Bangladeshi population to London’s cultural fabric.
John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, who played an instrumental role in getting the bilingual signage at the Whitechapel station then said: “Whitechapel is at the heart of the Bangladeshi community. Bilingual signs have been installed at Southall and replicating this at Whitechapel would be welcomed to mark the culture of British Bangladeshis and reflect the rich heritage and diversity.”
Lowe’s post, however, has reignited debates around the role of bilingual signage in public spaces. While some agreed with his perspective, arguing that English is the UK’s primary language and should be prioritized, others defended the bilingual signs as a meaningful gesture toward inclusivity.