ERRORTERROR These eBooks will guarantee you learn and remember over 500 idioms! Try one out for yourself, it’s pure magic!idioms Tap here to buy! Our mini series on funny signs from English speaking c[.]
ERRORTERROR EVEN NATIVE SPEAKERS MAKE ERRORS IN SPEECH Our mini-series on funny signs from English-speaking countries If you’ve ever been abroad, you’ve probably seen a poorly-written menu full of spelling errors But it isn’t just foreigners who make mistakes: native English speakers are just as bad The following is a collection of badly written signs from shop windows and public places in English-speaking countries See if you can identify the linguistic problem in each sentence Then check our “Error Analysis” section for a full explanation The problem with this sign is the incorrect use of the word “non- existent” Of course, if a book is “non-existent” it has never existed We think the sign should simply read: ”Rare and out-of-print books.” The implication here is that there is an invitation to literally go to the toilet on the floor This can be avoided by adding three simple words: “This urinal is out of order Kindly use the toilets on the floor below At a restaurant gas station (West Virginia, USA): “Eat here and get gas.” In a barbershop (Manchester, England): ”During vacation of owner, a competent hair stylist will be here.” At a bookstore (London, England): ”Rare, out-of-print and non-existent books.” Notice in a toilet (Wisconsin, USA): This urinal is out of order Kindly use the floor below On the grounds of a private school (Kent, England): “No trespassing without permission.” On a freeway (California, USA): ”Fine for littering.” In a jewellery store (New Hampshire, USA): “Ears pierced while you wait.” This is an example of unnecessary language: if you are “trespassing”, you obviously don’t have permission to be on the grounds So, the sign could simply read: “No trespassing.” The problem with this sign is that “fine for littering” has two possible meanings: a) It is fine to litter = which means that it is OK to litter b) There is a fine if you litter = which means you must pay a financial penalty if you litter We think the sign would be better like this: “No littering Maximum penalty: $400.” The use of “while you wait” is unnecessary This sign could be reduced to these two simple words: “Ears pierced.” Error Analysis The problem with this sign is that “get gas” could have two meanings: a) To get some gas (gasoline) for your car b) To produce gas in your body as a result of eating bad food at the restaurant To avoid any confusion we think they should use the word “gasoline”, and have two separate signs such as these: “Get your gasoline here” “Food served here” The problem with this sign is that it implies that the owner is not a “competent stylist” To avoid any confusion, we think they should add one important word: ”During vacation of owner, an equally competent hair stylist will be here.” GLOSSARY gas station n US a place where you can buy petrol for your car “Petrol station” in British English gas n US gasoline “Petrol” in British English a urinal n a toilet for men to trespass vb to walk on land that is private and not open to the public a freeway n US a large road with many lanes for lots of cars A “motorway” in British English to litter vb to throw rubbish on the floor or ground and not in a rubbish bin to pierce vb to put a hole in your ear so you can wear an earring These eBooks will guarantee you learn and remember over Errors are found in many Vietnamese ads, e.g.500 "Hãyidioms! mua mỡTry máu Tâm one outBình" for yourself, it’s pure magic! idioms / www.learnhotenglish.com / Contact us for fantastic online classes for your company, wherever you are: classes@learnhotenglish.com Tap here to buy!