Functional Varieties of English,3Signs,1. Concept of Sign,Signs are anything from the simplest wayfinding or information “maker” to the technically sophisticated communication of a message. Signing affects everybody-travelers, shoppers, visitors, drivers etc, whether in the course of business or pleasure.”,2. The Social Functions of Sign,2.1 Directing指示性 2.2 Prompting提示性 2.3 Restricting 限制性 2.4 Compelling 强制性,2.1 Directing指示性,Signs with directing function are used to provide detailed and effective information rather than restricting or compelling People to take actions. 商务中心Business Centre 钱币兑换处Money Exchange 火警通道Fire Exit 男/女厕Mens Room/Ladies Room,2.2 Prompting提示性,Prompting signs are used to remind the readers to pay attention to them before they are to take an action. The difference between the two categories is that the readers of the prompting signs can know what they had better do. 预留席位Reserved 油漆未干Wet Paint 清仓甩卖Clearance 八折/七折20% Off/ 30% Off,2.3 Restricting 限制性,Signs of restricting are used to restrict or constrain peoples behaviors. The languages are simple and direct, but cannot make the readers feel rude or impolite. The restricting function of Signs of this kind is exclusively applied to certain group of people. 此路不通Dead End 游客止步Off Limits to Visitors 慢速驶出Slow Out 60公里/小时(限速)60km/h,2.4 Compelling 强制性,Compelling signs require or forbid people to do something. The language is tough and forceful. Imperative with the negative words like “no” are preferred 谢绝参观No Visitors 禁止进入(军事禁区)Out of Bounds 请勿触摸Hands off/ Do not Touch 请勿吸烟No Smoking 严禁过夜停车No Overnight Parking,3. The Characteristics of Signs,3.1 Lexical Characteristics 3.2 The Grammatical Characteristics 3.3 The Stylistic Characteristics,3.1 Lexical Characteristics,1) Frequent Use of Nouns and Noun Phrases 2) Frequent Use of Verbs, Gerunds and Verb Phrases 3) Avoiding the Use of Uncommon Words,1) Frequent Use of Nouns and Noun Phrases,Seeing that nouns and noun phrases possess the static feature, they are greatly employed in the Signs with static information such as the type or the nature of service that the receptors may have access to. For example: Guest Lookers 宾客存储箱 Information问询处 Baggage Depository存包处,2) Frequent Use of Verbs, Gerunds and Verb Phrases,In the language of Signs with dynamic information, verbs, gerunds and verb Phrases are widely adopted in that the dynamic nature of verbs, gerunds and verb Phrases can call for immediate action of receptors of signs with the functions of restricting, prompting and compelling. For example: Watch/Mind Your Step请小心站稳 Keep clear of the edges勿靠电动扶梯两侧 Please Pay Here请在此交款 No Spitting禁止随地吐痰,3) Avoiding the Use of Uncommon Words,Signs are to make the accurate and direct information easy to understand to the general public of different educational levels, so ambiguity or misunderstanding should be avoided, and those uncommon words, technical terms, archaism and slang are forbidden. Private parking专用车位 Taxi Pick-up Point出租车乘点 Lost & Found失物招领 Keep to the right靠右行,3.2 The Grammatical Characteristics,1) Present Tense Macao Welcomes You澳门欢迎您 This is a pay and display car park此停车场自动交费并张贴票据 2) Imperative Keep upright请勿倒置 Beware of Pedestrians注意行人 Rent a car and go as you please租辆车想去哪就去哪,3.3 The Stylistic Characteristics,1) Concision 2) Standard Expression 3) Capitalization,1) Concision,Concision is the first characteristics of signs for saving room and saving time. Abbreviation is an important way to make signs concise. Open Now营业中 Admission Free凭票入场 No charge免费 P(Parking)停车场 WC(Water Closet)公厕,2) Standard Expression,Signs have developed through a long period of time, so many signs have formed their own fixed ways of expression which have been accepted widely. Duty Free Shop免税店 Foreign Exchange外币兑换 Ramp Speed斜坡限速 Staff Only闲人免进,3) Capitalization,Capitalization is to attract peoples attention. Capitalizing the first letter of each word, including words following hyphens in compound words, except articles, conjunctions, prepositions and the “to” in infinitive. Two Way双向行驶 Drive-In Cinema汽车影院 End of Bus Lane公共汽车道结束 Slow, School前方学校请慢行,Other rules: a. According to international standard, every letter of a single-word sign should be capitalized, such as EXIT, ENTRANCE. b. As to the names of institutions, only the initial letter of each word is capitalized, such as Peoples Bank of China. c. Each initial letter is capitalized when ordinal numbers in abbreviated form are used in public signs, such as 2nd Ring Road.,4. The Language Styles of Signs,1. Colloquialism口语体 Keep this doorway clear!请保持楼道畅通! Mind your head!小心碰头! Tank you for visiting, goodbye!谢谢光临! 2. Expository说明语体 If you see anything suspicious, call 110 for the police.发现可疑情况,请拨110报警。 Attention: Strike the window with this hammer for escape in case of fire.乘客须知:发生火灾时,请用榔头击碎车窗玻璃逃生。,3. Advertising Style广告语体 Deal directly with manufacturers at special prices.厂家特价直销。 Your satisfaction is our Priority.您的满意是我们的追求。 Welcome Enquires and Orders!热烈欢迎国内外客商前来洽谈订购。 4. Leg