Lost in Translation: A Descriptive Grammar Analysis in Public Signages

The languages we encounter in public spaces, such as posters, store names, and street names, are referred to as public signage. Public signages display the languages that are spoken in a particular place as well as how these languages are used in daily life. With this, erroneous constructions in public signages are unavoidable. To address this issue, this study investigates the grammatical errors that are present in public notices found in public places, with a focus on the descriptive grammar evaluation of such linguistic constructs. The researchers studied and found also the prevalent grammatical errors, including incorrect usage of possessive forms, incorrect punctuation, misuse of article, misspelling, and employing redundant words within a sentence. These mistakes bring about great problems in public communication through an impact on understanding and clarity. This study also emphasizes the role of social, cultural, and linguistic aspects in the creation of signage, drawing on William Labov’s Sociolinguistics Theory and Howard Gilles’ Communication Accommodation (CAT). The results highlight the need for public signage to be more linguistically sensitive and grammatically correct to enhance inclusive understanding in various city locations, public safety, and promote clearer communication.