Sign Language: Roadmap 2030


There aren’t many so many hilarious “Engrish” signs in the Philippines.  Filipinos usually have beautifully written English, correctly spelled with good grammar.  No struggling with “chicen” or “chikken” here.  Its always spelt “chicken”. Nor any not-so-delicious-sounding dishes such as “deep fried crap” on the menu.   But there’s plenty of other things that jump out for comment.  Here’s a large sign from Dumaguete airport from the local police force, outlining their vision and mission statement for their goals until 2030:

Its interesting how it seems both laudable (who wouldn’t want those goals), sincere, naive (given the many corruption struggles here) and a bit desperate (no-one in the west would write this, suggesting that things aren’t that way currently) – all at the same time.  And bringing the Almighty into a public service statement is just not done in the West.  Ultimately a more interesting sign than a badly spelled menu, I think.

Sign Language: How’s my driving?



All commercial vehicles here are requested to paint an official sign on the back of the car or truck that reads: “How’s my driving?” along with a prescribed phone number to call for comment. You see it quite often in the US and UK too, although to my knowledge its not a requirement, but more of a public image statement meant to illustrate the company’s confidence in the quality of their driver training. At least last time I looked.  Here in the Philippines its a law and one that doesn’t appear to serve much purpose. Its no secret that the road conditions and driving are appalling and somehow these signs seem to serve to make things worse. Sitting in back to back traffic, with a jeepney trying to nose into you on your right, a big truck squeezing you from the left and the taxi in front cutting in and out, the words “How’s my driving?” just seem to antagonize… How’s your driving? It just sucks!

Sign Language: How much to spend a penny?


My favourite sign so far….located outside a Filipino public toilet.  Price varied with intention!  No 1 and No 2 are self-explanatory (pun spotted!)  … 3. is shower and 4. is wash.  Not sure how you can do one without the other….

For other signs along the way see:  http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_photo_challenge/signs/

 

Sign Language: Child Abuse?


As we learn our way around the different neighborhoods, describing where we mean by memorable landmarks has been the way to go.  Yesterday, I said to Robert – “You know where I mean, next to the place where they blow up babies…” and realised that it needed a photo!  So here you are….

BTW, Philippinos are very kind, gentle and good with kids (honest!)