mariaginnie

[mariaginnie]

Warning Sign

In my recent trip to Singapore for an international conference, I had the chance to join a university campus tour which i truly enjoyed. While admiring the multiple and state-of-the-art facilities, I happened to see a unique safety sign which I took a photo of. You might be wondering why I was captivated by it, but the only reason is the fact that it was a multilingual safety sign.

Based on the Safety culture article, In public areas, workplaces, and businesses, safety signs and symbols are easily identifiable graphic labels that convey safety regulations and general policy. Although they may look different depending on the nation or area, their main objective is to provide safety information that is universally understood and does not depend on language.

Forum for Linguistic Studies 2024; 6(1): 2049.

2

1. Introduction

Within the hallmarks of sociolinguistics, investigations concerning linguistic landscapes (LLs) have

gained significant attention and prominence in the field of research. As countries aim for a globalized

environment, signage employing various languages has become the standard to accommodate those

who come from other nationalities and linguistic backgrounds. Furthermore, signage functions to

provide information, raise awareness, display instructions, and present cultural identity and diversity.

Signage is primarily used to disseminate information in order to give instructions, promote awareness, and give directions. Signs are crucial instruments for transmitting and communicating information, which is crucial in our day-to-day existence according to McDougal et al.'s 2001 work.

It is interesting to note that multilingual signage has emerged as a distinguishing feature of inclusive and culturally aware settings. Promoting multilingualism through signage that uses different languages can be advantageous in our increasingly globalized society.

#I_saw_the_Sign # Watch Out # Attention

[mariaginnie]

Here's what I can say...

As I came across Dave Sayers ' (2024) Language on the Move article, I could not help but wonder why linguists would hate new terms. Perhaps the word "dislike" is more powerful than the word "hate." Whether their distaste is due to opposition to change, classism, or generational bias should be investigated by linguists. Although it is normal for linguists to find some new terms unappealing, they are urged to approach linguistic change with objectivity and interest rather than condemnation. It is okay to critique new terms, but expressing outright contempt runs the risk of ignoring the flexibility and vitality that give language its dynamic quality. Ultimately, languages stay alive and relevant by accepting change.

I was reminded of our sociolinguistics class topic regarding the usage of verbal fillers and intensifiers/amplifiers when reading your post. It is true that "so" and "like" are frequently used in discussions and in communication lessons. It is interesting to note that employing "like" can foster a sense of community and shared culture among younger speakers. Moreover, using "so" at the start of sentences can make ideas seem more approachable and soften an authoritative tone (e.g., "So, what do you think about this proposal?") rather than giving the impression that a speaker is unsure, unprepared, or unconfident.

Through examining the usage of "so" and "like" from a variety of perspectives—cultural, pragmatic, psychological, and fun (enjoyable)—communication courses may prepare students to modify their speech patterns for each audience. Just like that.

#newwords #fillers #language