Where’s the punctuation?
I understand the point of a street sign is to convey a point in the fewest words possible, but have you ever wondered why there is no punctuation on signs? Wouldn’t a bright red sign with STOP! have more meaning than just STOP or would the over abundance of !s just make us numb to exclamations?
I leave you with the sign below. It is a prime candidate for punctuation. Is it suggesting that “slow” children are at the playground and I should beware of the little beggars? (Slow Children. Playground.) Since it’s a yellow sign are these children a hazard? (Slow Children! Playground.) Probably. Is it possibly confused or playing a word association game? (Slow? Children? Playground?) (To which I reply: Turtle, Loud, Jungle Gym) Or is it something deeper. (Go) Slow. (Be kind to) Children. (Play at the) Playground.
