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The use of the word "guide"

This is an highly debated subject, every touring company - ourselves included uses the word "guide" in some shape or form when referring to their staff.  Here are two definitions of the word "guide" from www.dictionary.com

verb - to accompany (a sightseer) to show points of interest and to explain their significance and meaning.

noun - a person who guides, especially one hired to guide travelers, tourists, hunters etc.

This is another one from an Oxford University website:
noun - a person who advises or shows the way to others.

Guide is simply therefore a word in common worldwide usage, it's not a trademark, neither it is a title or qualification like Doctor or Professor.  

However there is an official qualification in France where an individual passes an examination and is awarded the status of "Guide-Interpreter."  This National or Regional Guide-interpreter badge is regulated by the law n° 92-645 of 13 July 1992. Another decree n° 94-490 of 15 June 1994 (Title V - art. 85 to 94) clarifies in more detail the terms of this specific profession.  So if we called our staff "Guide-Interpreters" then we would be falsely indicating a specific profession covered by French law. We do not make any such claim, we refer to our staff on this website as Battlefield Guides or Driver/Guides, each term referring to their occupation and in no way falsely indicating any sort of qualification.

Within a museum, tourism or business setting the term "guide", is clearly accepted worldwide as being any individual employed or volunteering in any type of job or position that involves "guiding" people around a particular place or area.  This is obviously what our staff do and therefore we use the word "guide."

We at Battlebus operate within the law and respect all the regulations of France and those related to our business.  We mean no disrespect to holders of the Guide-Interpreter qualification - all of whom have proved their knowledge of France and Normandy history.

This page last modified on Saturday, October 31st 2009

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