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Post by Ptarmigan on Mar 7, 2009 11:50:56 GMT
Here's another reason why Bilingual Road Signs are probably not a good idea! So tell me, are you in favour of, or against, these signs? Here in Ulster, there is a very real danger that we could even end up with THREE languages on each sign, to keep both the Irish Gaelic & the Ulster Scots speakers happy!  Cheers Dick |
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Post by dulcimike on Mar 8, 2009 15:34:59 GMT
Here's another reason why Bilingual Road Signs are probably not a good idea! So tell me, are you in favour of, or against, these signs? Here in Ulster, there is a very real danger that we could even end up with THREE languages on each sign, to keep both the Irish Gaelic & the Ulster Scots speakers happy! Cheers Dick In principal, I am for the bi-lingual signs. I enjoy seeing the place names in Irish in the Republic, and it helps me understand the language, which I have not studied, more. For instance, when we were in Dublin last year, we rode the DART, and they have not only the signage (programmable signage) on the trains, but they also have the announcement spoken, so one sees and hears the Irish for a place name. As a visitor interested in the language, I loved being able to see and hear the place names. However, having them in Irish doesn't help me, as a visitor there, find my way around. For those who live there and who are learning or speaking the Irish language, it would reinforce the language in an everyday way. And while I understand and support the reasons behind wanting them, in Ulster, as you said, there might easily end up being three languages on the signs. It seems that could get very expensive having the larger signs to accommodate the three languages on there, and it wouldn't help me find my way places, though I would enjoy seeing the place names in all three languages. The issue of the danger of more traffic accidents could be a real one, especially for tourists. Some of us have trouble driving where the signs are all in our own language, much less in two or three different languages.  Those of us from the continent or the States, are also driving on "the wrong side" of the road there (and some of us even dare to drive standard transmission cars causing us to shift with our left hands, not our right hands!), and that adds to the danger of traffic accidents. Add in having to read the signs in three different languages, and that could have an adverse affect on traffic accidents. I realize that there may be ways to make the signs so as to minimize the reading for English speakers, and therefore reduce the impact on driving. I'm sure some agreement will be come to, but it isn't an easy thing to implement. I will enjoy seeing bi-lingual signs, as I do in the Republic, and I promise to try to not make unnecessary U-Turns due to misreading the English on the signs. |
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Post by Ptarmigan on Mar 8, 2009 17:10:08 GMT
Another problem Mike, with Tri-lingual signs, is that when they are at the very least, in certain sensitive areas, e.g. every Nationalist or Unionist ghetto in Ulster, the offending language will almost certainly always be painted over, as happens already on many signs in those areas which may innocently be directing visitors or areas, seen by them as belonging to the other side!  Sadly, this will hardly make the place look more attractive! Cheers Dick |
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Post by dulcimike on Mar 12, 2009 1:20:12 GMT
Yes, that would happen, wouldn't it? Maybe they should put them up in Swahili, Pig Latin and Klingon, then no one would be offended and no one (except maybe Trekkies) would be able to use them. |
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Those of us from the continent or the States, are also driving on "the wrong side" of the road there (and some of us even dare to drive standard transmission cars causing us to shift with our left hands, not our right hands!), and that adds to the danger of traffic accidents. Add in having to read the signs in three different languages, and that could have an adverse affect on traffic accidents. I realize that there may be ways to make the signs so as to minimize the reading for English speakers, and therefore reduce the impact on driving.
Sadly, this will hardly make the place look more attractive!