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Public Notices in English and Arabic: A Pragmatic Study

Khalid Sh. Sharhan (September 2018)

Section One
Basic Terms and Concepts

1.1Pragmatics

Pragmatics can simply be defined as the study of language from the point
of view of the users, especially of their choices, the constraints they encounter
in using language in social interaction, and the effects of their use of language
on the other participants in an act of communication. This field focuses on an
‘area’ between semantics, sociolinguistics and extralinguistic context. It
accounts for a variety of topics such as aspects of deixis, conversational
implicatures, presuppositions, speech acts and discourse structure (Crystal,
2008: 379-380).

1.2 Context

Yule (1985:129 ) distinguishes different kinds of context. One kind is

described as linguistic context, also known as co-text. The co-text of a word is
the set of other words used in the same phrase or sentence. The other kind of
context is the physical context. If we see the word BANK on the wall of a
building in a city, the physical location will influence our interpretation. Yule
argues that while this may seem rather obvious, we should keep in mind that it
is not the actual physical situation “out there” that constitutes “the context” for
interpreting words or sentences. The relevant context is our mental
representation of those aspects of what is physically out there that we use in
arriving at an interpretation. Our understanding of much of what we read and
hear is tied to this processing of aspects of the physical context, particularly the
time and place, in which we encounter linguistic expressions(Ibid.)

1.3 Implicature
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A term derived from the work of the philosopher H. P. Grice (1913–88)

and now frequently used in linguistics as part of the study of conversational
structure. Conversational implicatures refer to the implications which can be
deduced from the form of an utterance, on the basis of certain co-operative
principles which govern the efficiency and normal acceptability of
conversations, as when the sentence There’s some chalk on the floor is taken to
mean ‘you ought to pick it up’; they contrast with explicatures, which are the
propositions that are explictly communicated (the fact that the chalk is on the
floor, in this example). Several types of implicature have been discussed, in the
context of the relationship between language and logical expression, and of the
conditions which affect the appropriateness of utterances. In particular,
implicatures have been classified into generalized and particularized types – the
former not being restricted to a particular context; the latter requiring a specific
context. Also, a contrast has been drawn between conversational (or
nonconventional) implicatures, which are inferences calculated on the basis of
the maxims of conversation, and conventional implicatures, which are not
derived from these principles but simply attached by convention to particular
expressions (Crystal, 2008: 1238)

1.4 Speech acts

In very general terms, we can usually recognize the type of “action” performed
by a speaker with the utterance. We use the term speech act to describe actions
such as “requesting,” “commanding,” “questioning” or “informing.” We can
define a speech act as the action performed by a speaker with an utterance. If
you say, I’ll be there at six, you are not just speaking, you seem to be
performing the speech act of “promising”(Yule. 1985:133).

1.4.1 Direct and Indirect Speech Acts

We usually use certain syntactic structures with the functions listed beside them
in the following table.

Structures Functions

Did you eat the pizza? Interrogative Question

Eat the pizza (please)! Imperative Command (Request)

You ate the pizza. Declarative Statement

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When an interrogative structure such as Did you…?, Are they…? or Can we…?
is used with the function of a question, it is described as a direct speech act. For
example, when we don’t know something and we ask someone to provide the
information, we usually produce a direct speech act such as Can you ride a
bicycle? Compare that utterance with Can you pass the salt?. In this second
example, we are not really asking a question about someone’s ability. In fact,
we don’t normally use this structure as a question at all. We normally use it to
make a request. That is, we are using a syntactic structure associated with the
function of a question, but in this case with the function of a request. This is an
example of an indirect speech act. Whenever one of the structures in the set
above is used to perform a function other than the one listed beside it on the
same line, the result is an indirect speech act(Ibid.:134 )

1.5 Block language

A term used in some grammatical descriptions to refer to the use of

abbreviated structures in restricted communicative contexts, especial use being
made of the word or phrase, rather than the clause or sentence. These little texts
as they are alternatively called (Halliday 1985) have specific pragmatic
functions. Common examples include: No smoking, Exit, One way, and
‘headlines’, e.g. Prime Minister Shock (Wales, 2011: 46; Crystal, 2008:57).
Other examples are Entrance, English Department , The New York Time , For
Sale , No dogs without Jeash (Greenbaum & Quirk, 1990: 245-246).
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Section Two
Methodology and Analysis

2.1Data Collection

The data of the study consists of 16 English notices and 16 Arabic

notices. These notices are analyzed for their linguistic structure and pragmatic
functions.

2.2 The Model of Analysis

The model of the analysis used in the paper is a combination of grammar

and pragmatics. The grammatical status of the notices are first discussed and
their pragmatic functions are explained.

2.3 Analysis

Each of the 16 English notices is analyzed along with its Arabic

counterpart in terms of structure and pragmatic function.

1- Keep area clean ‫حافظ على نظافة المكان‬

Both the English and Arabic notices are complete sentences. They both
have an implied subject, i.e., ‘you’ and a verb in the imperative mood ‘keep’
and ‘‫’حافظ‬. However, they differ in the complement of the verb. The English
notice has an object ‘area’ and an objective complement(adjective) ‘clean’,
while the Arabic version has a prepositional phrase as a verb complement ‘ ‫على‬
‫’نظافة المكان‬. Pragmatically, the sentence in either version is understood to be a
direct speech act of command used to get the addressee to carry out an action.
The addressee here is indefinite, it could be anyone coming to the place where
the notice is found.
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2- No Swimming ‫ممنوع السباحة‬

Both notices are in the form of noun phrase. But in Arabic the noun
phrase is a complete sentence, consisting of a subject and a predicate. The
English notice is not a complete sentence. It consists of a determiner (No) and a
noun (swimming). Pragmatically, they both represent a direct speech act of
prohibition ‘don’t swim here or in this area'.

3- Authorized personnel only ‫للموظفين فقط‬

Linguistically, both English and Arabic notices can be said to be

fragments of sentences with the subject being omitted. However, they both rely
on the context to convey the message. Moreover, they represent an indirect
speech act of prohibition which reads like "if you are not a personnel staff
member don't use this or come through this”.

4- Food and drink prohibited ‫الطعام والشراب ممنوع‬

The English notice is not complete because it lacks the auxiliary “are”.
The Arabic version is a complete sentence, a nominal one consisting of a
subject and predicate. Out of context, these notices sound illogical. In their right
context which could be a park or a reception, they sound acceptable and commit
whoever present in the place to comply with this direct speech act of
prohibition.

5- Exit only ‫خروج فقط‬

These notices can be found on doors or gates which can be understood as

the omitted subject and verb, i.e., 'this door is for exit only' ‫هذا الباب هو للخروج‬
‫فقط‬. Although formally these notices contain no word of prohibition they can be
considered as indirect speech acts of prohibition.

6- Safety / Walk don’t run ‫ تمشى ال تركض‬/ ‫لألمان‬

Both notices have imperative words like “walk” and “don’t run” with negation.
Also, in Arabic the imperative words are “‫ ” ال تركض “ ”تمشى‬her is negation
written in “‫”ال‬, the tense in both are present. The two notices can be understood
as direct speech acts of advice or warning.
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7- Thank you for not using cell phone ‫شكرا لعدم استخدامك الهاتف‬
‫الخلوي‬

These notices are different form all the other notices in that they use an
indirect way of asking not to do something. This an indirect way is illustrated
by using the word ‘thank you’ ‘‫’شكرا‬. Thus, they are considered as indirect
speech of prohibition.

8. Watch your steps ‫انتبه لخطواتك‬

Both the English and Arabic notices are complete sentences. They both
have an implied subject, i.e., ‘you’ and a verb in the imperative mood ‘watch’
and ‘‫’انتبه‬. However, they differ in the complement of the verb. The English
notice has an object ‘your steps’, while the Arabic version has a prepositional
phrase that completes the verb. Pragmatically, they are direct speech acts of
warning.

9- No fishing allowed ‫ممنوع الصيد‬

Linguistically, the English version lacks an auxiliary ’be’, while the Arabic
version is a complete sentence. Pragmatically, both notices have the force of
prohibition which can be inferred from the use of the words ‘no’ and ‘allowed’
in the English version and the word ‘‫ ’ممنوع‬in Arabic. These notices need
context to make sense.

10- Out of service ‫خارج الخدمة‬

Linguistically, both notices are not complete sentences. Both represent

predicates only. The first part in both notices has been left out as it can be
recovered from the context. Pragmatically, They give information about a
facility which is no longer in use because of something wrong with it. Thus,
they are speech acts of informing.

11- No pedestrians ‫ممنوع مرور المشاة‬

Linguistically, the English notice is a sentence fragment while the Arabic

is a complete sentence. Such notices are found on roads which are so busy with
cars that it is dangerous for people to walk. The prohibition is conveyed by the
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word ‘no’ in English and the word ‘ ‫ ’ممنوع‬in Arabic. So, pragmatically they are
speech acts of prohibition.

12- No parking ‫ممنوع وقوف السيارات‬

Linguistically, the English notice is not a complete sentence, just a noun

phrase consisting of a determiner ‘no’ and the noun ‘parking’, while the Arabic
notice is a complete sentence consisting of a subject and a predicate. These
notices prohibit car parking in certain areas. Pragmatically, these notices
convey direct speech acts of prohibition which are conveyed by the word ‘no’ in
English and the word ‘‫ ’ممنوع‬in Arabic Moreover, the English notice does not
have the word ‘cars’ because it is understood from the word ‘parking’ ; the
Arabic notice have the Arabic equivalent of ‘cars’ which is ‘‫’السيارات‬.

13- Switch off the lights when not in use ‫اطفئ االضواء عند عدم‬
‫االستعمال‬

Both notices are complete sentences. They are in the imperative mood. The
subject is understood as anyone present in the place where the notice is fixed.
Pragmatically, they are direct speech acts of command.

14- Please don’t litter ‫الرجاء عدم رمي االوساخ‬

Though they convey the same message, these notices are different in structure.
Linguistically, the English one is an imperative sentence while the Arabic is a
nominal sentence, i.e., with no verb. Pragmatically, they are direct speech acts
of request which is indicated by the words ‘please’ and ‘ ‫’الرجاء‬.

15- Closed for maintenance ‫مغلق للصيانة‬

As for grammar, both notices are incomplete sentences. In English the notice
lacks a subject and a verb, while the Arabic notice lacks a subject only.
However, the context compensates this grammatical incompleteness and makes
clear ‘what is closed….’. As for the pragmatic function, these notices are
speech acts of informing.

16- No smoking ‫ممنوع التدخي‬

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A very common notice and structure in both languages. As for their

structure, the English notice is not a complete sentence while the Arabic is a
complete sentence. Pragmatically, these notices are examples of direct speech
acts of prohibition. The notices cannot be taken to mean anywhere and anytime.
But they should be limited to where they are found.

Conclusion

Regardless of the differences in language and culture between different

nations, there are some common guidelines according to which they manage
their communication. The paper has investigated a number of public notices in
English and Arabic and has shown some similarities concerning the writing and
comprehension of such notices. On the other hand, differences are inevitable
due to linguistic and cultural diversity. English mostly use sentence fragments
in the public notices while Arabic tend to use full sentences in the majority of
the notices. Both languages compose the public notices depending on the
pragmatic factors that are thought to play a vital role in daily communication
such as context, reference, implicature and so on.
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References

Crystal, D.(2008) A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics.New Jersey:

Blackwell Publishing.

Greenbaum, S. & R. Quirk (1990) A University Grammar of English .

Longman : Longman Group Limited .

Wales, Katie(2011) A Dictionary of Stylistics. 3rd ed. London:

Routledge

Yule, G. (2010) The Study of Language. 4th ed. New York: Cambridge

University Press.

Kenneth R. Rose & Gabriele Kasper (2001) Pragmatics in Language Teaching.

Cambrifge: Cambridge University Press.

Robert B. Talisse and Scott F. Aikin (2008) PRAGMATISM: A GUIDE FOR

THE PERPLEXED. Continuum International Publishing Group