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| Newspaper Rock in New Mexico's Petrified Forest |
People have probably been drawing and leaving signs since they first learned how to scratch on rocks or paint with wet minerals on cave walls. It's not surprising then that we can learn a lot about language and culture from signposts. What is important to convey when no one is around to tell you face-to-face?
Here are some examples of signs that were posted in areas where people travel either by car or on foot. In one case, there is potential danger to the traveler (Photo A). In the other, there is potential damage that could be caused by the traveler (Photo B). Can you understand the meanings of each sign? Try to guess the meanings of the signs before reading the explanations next to them.
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| Photo A: Along the road to Joshua Tree National Monument, CA |
What does subject to something mean? Maybe you know that subjects are areas or fields of study in college. The subject can also be the topic of discussion or conversation. Thus, subject is a polyseme, meaning that it has multiple meanings.
"Subject to flooding" means that this road can be affected by something bad, like floods. It is wise to pay attention to these warning signs when driving in desert country. These areas are especially vulnerable to flash floods. This water can travel very quickly down canyons or hillsides and take out roads and any vehicles traveling on them.
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| Photo B: Rancho Peñasquitos Park, San Diego, CA |
This sign tells hikers in the park not to cross beyond the fence because there is a project to help the plants in the area regrow. The park administrators might also have added that the off-trail area is covered with poison oak (another reason to stay on the designated trails).
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