Unit 15　Pullic yigni

Public signs are usually public marks with tag definitions attached to them or description integrated with the marks as a whole.Generally speaking，a public sign consists of two parts：a mark or figure that symbolizes certain actions or things and a description about what is embodied within the mark or figure.However，not every public sign contains a picture or figure to imitate the action to be taken by people or the things people want to have knowledge of.The term“public sign”can be used narrowly to refer to the description that informs people of what shall be done or what they want to learn about.

Public signs are always about what to do，what shall not be done，where to go，and how to do，as well as what people can get or what people are entitled to.In a sense，pubic signs are simplified but more vivid version of notices.They are seen almost everywhere in public places helping people with their life.(https://www.daowen.com)

According to their different functions，public signs can be classified roughly into four groups.They are public signs guiding people about what to do，when to come or leave，where to go，how to do，and why to do，public signs suggesting proper and civilized behavior，public signs representing particular places，and public signs telling people about what they are entitled to，all of which cover almost all aspects of public life.The first two types of public signs are usually instructions leading to specific actions on the part of the viewers.The last two types of public signs always provide various types of information for the convenience or to the advantage of the viewers，who will either accept or just turn down the convenience or advantage offered.The classification of public signs of this kind is not made to the exclusion of others.Different groups of public signs may overlap.

As a code of public behavior，public signs in a given country are usually written to the advantage of native people in the official language of that country.However，public signs written in English are playing a more and more important role in China today as thousands of foreigners rush into China everyday.Wrongly wrought public signs will bring about not only great inconvenience for foreigners living or traveling in China，but even great losses in business domains to businessmen of all kinds.Therefore，it is important to get a thorough knowledge about public signs before starting to create effective and powerful public signs.