In my first day of Linguistics 201: Semantics, the instructor showed us a British roadsign:
All the students laughed at the unintentional ambiguity of the statement. And in our amusement, I don’t know that any of us actually focused on the true meaning of the sign.
Every time you put something into the public domain, you risk being misunderstood. Step outside your domain of knowledge and bias, and consider how it may be interpreted by others. Bonus points if you can actually craft a message that really resonates and speaks more to others than to yourself.
Forget what you’re trying to say – what are you really communicating?
Image courtesy of Lazlo Woodbine
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Um, what does the sign mean? I can’t make heads or tails out of it!
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It’s advising motorists to slow down (drive “dead slow”).
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