Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Language from claim ticket

I just returned from a plane trip. This text was on the back of my baggage claim ticket:

BAGGAGE IS SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE TARIFF INCLUDING LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY CONTAINED HEREIN, FRAGILE ARTICLES ACCEPTED AT PASSENGER'S OWN RISK.

Comments:
  • There was no "herein" in which the limitations were contained.
  • Why is my baggage subject to a tariff?
  • And do we need the word "applicable"? How would my baggage be subject to an "inapplicable" tariff?
  • The comma is obviously wrong.
  • I had momentary confusion about who is doing the "accepting."
Are my expectations too high? Can we not write down what we mean in standard English?

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