It stands to reason that the overseers of public transportation have to assume that not everyone can read English (or at all), but nevertheless must try their best to convey these rules so that everyone has an equal opportunity to obey. They do this through the use of common symbols with the classic circle and slash in front (I don't know if there's a word for the circle/slash thingy). The correct interpretation of these symbols, however, requires some assumption on behalf of the viewer as to what the creator means by their use.
As I rode the bus last week contemplating said signs, I began thinking about a scenario in which a person, upon seeing these symbols for the first time, might interpret them more literally than figuratively for any number of reasons. What might they see? What might they think?
The following are some examples of common symbols displaying the aforementioned restrictions with my accompanying literal interpretations. I had to find these online, and tried to find signs that most closely resemble those I see on a daily basis. I'll try to get some pictures of the actual signs used by the UTA system which I frequent that inspired these thoughts.
Feel free to leave your own.
NO ARMY JEEPS...ON THE BUS
3 comments:
I like your interpretations baby! I think we should take Derek on the bus and see we he thinks the signs mean...that would be a true test.
I agree with Elizabeth, and I'm laughing out loud at the post and the comment.
It's like that billboard on the freeway that says "Prostate Cancer" with the circle and slash - like "Prostate Cancer not allowed on this freeway. If you've got it, you're OFF."
Hahahahaha! This is AWESOME! I haven't seen signs like that recently, but there's a billboard I always pass in Rexburg that says, WE HAVE YOUR CAR!
And that's it. That's all it says. It bugs me.
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