Lost in translation

[Erik Sine]

Lost in translation: signs breach guidelines

Source: Inner West Courier Author: Joseph Sumegi

Five shops in the Strathfield Town Centre have been found to be in breach of Strathfield Council's development control plan by having signage in a language other than English, after an advertising audit was carried out by the council.

In a report tabled at last Tuesday's council meeting, councillors were told 54 shops were audited, and five shops were found to be in breach by not having at least 50 per cent of their signage in English.

The council is now trying educate those shops of the importance of having English in their signage.

The council also moved that it would undertake an audit on other areas within the Strathfield local government area.

The discussion between councillors was nowhere as intense or controversial as the debate that took place at Marrickville Council late last year, when a debate over signage regulations drew claims and counterclaims of racism and intolerance, with the issue attracting national media attention.

[fishing nut]

It should be 100% english.

[B.O.P.]

It should be 100% english.

I would not have a problem if someone wanted something on their sign in another language. But I think the vast majority of it should be in English. OR, if they don't want their sign in English - fine. But don't start making demands that schools start teaching their language to everyone just so we can read their sign and communicate with them in their native language! Sorry, this sort of thing gets me fired up :bitchin:

[fishing nut]

When I was in Moscow it was illigal to have english written on any sign. They also had military standing in the highways with AK47's and would point at you if they wanted you to pull over or walk out in front to stop you.

[Travis]

If the town requires permits to be aquired and the signs are within the permit requirements, I say damned the luck of the council. You want my sign changed because of rules that you permitted me to go against, pony up some cash my brother.

[B.O.P.]

When I was in Moscow it was illigal to have english written on any sign. They also had military standing in the highways with AK47's and would point at you if they wanted you to pull over or walk out in front to stop you.

There are some who think we are not far from that scenario. And if that is true, then we ALL have a LOT to worry about!

After rethinking my previous post I must say that a person should have the right to have whatever they want on the sign they paid for as long as it is verbally legal (no 4 letter words, etc.) That is freedom of speech and expression and not as bad as holding up a sign during a political speech telling the politician to "go home". Let them market to the clientele they want to. If they lose business because some people cannot read their sign, oh well! They made the choice. However, I still stand by my position on teaching English as the primary language in our schools. That is absolutely the only way it should be. And if someone doesn't like it give them a ticket "home". I will gladly donate the first one to get the ball rolling. But if they come back into this country they have to abide by our new rules - no exceptions!

[joemomma]

There are some who think we are not far from that scenario. And if that is true, then we ALL have a LOT to worry about!

After rethinking my previous post I must say that a person should have the right to have whatever they want on the sign they paid for as long as it is verbally legal (no 4 letter words, etc.) That is freedom of speech and expression and not as bad as holding up a sign during a political speech telling the politician to "go home". Let them market to the clientele they want to. If they lose business because some people cannot read their sign, oh well! They made the choice. However, I still stand by my position on teaching English as the primary language in our schools. That is absolutely the only way it should be. And if someone doesn't like it give them a ticket "home". I will gladly donate the first one to get the ball rolling. But if they come back into this country they have to abide by our new rules - no exceptions!

My sentiments exactly! I'd also say that any government forms, signs (that includes all signs), in fact, any government communication, should be in English only. The taxpayer should not have to foot the bill because some don't know the language. The immigrants of yesteryear did it. Why can't today's? If businesses want to use different languages, like Mark said, they do it at their own peril.

[Erik Sine]

There are some who think we are not far from that scenario. And if that is true, then we ALL have a LOT to worry about!

After rethinking my previous post I must say that a person should have the right to have whatever they want on the sign they paid for as long as it is verbally legal (no 4 letter words, etc.) That is freedom of speech and expression and not as bad as holding up a sign during a political speech telling the politician to "go home". Let them market to the clientele they want to. If they lose business because some people cannot read their sign, oh well! They made the choice. However, I still stand by my position on teaching English as the primary language in our schools. That is absolutely the only way it should be. And if someone doesn't like it give them a ticket "home". I will gladly donate the first one to get the ball rolling. But if they come back into this country they have to abide by our new rules - no exceptions!

My sentiments exactly! I'd also say that any government forms, signs (that includes all signs), in fact, any government communication, should be in English only. The taxpayer should not have to foot the bill because some don't know the language. The immigrants of yesteryear did it. Why can't today's? If businesses want to use different languages, like Mark said, they do it at their own peril.

I think you both hit it on the head. I kind of like the look of China Town when I happen to wonder in San Francisco or in Downtown LA. If everything were in English over there, it just wouldn't hold the same appearance.