Ambigious Signs

Posted by knorby on February 5, 2008 under Chicago, design, rants, uchicago | Be the First to Comment

I pass a sign every morning that reads “no trespassing violators will be prosecuted,” only with each word on a new line. I walk through the place as it blocks off my street. I don’t think I should have to walk through a sketch ally turned road that is without a sidewalk just because some construction group bribed some local politicians. The place’s location makes next to no logical sense without considering graft or “patronage.” Back to the point, the place seems like the type that would definitely want to go after trespassers, though I don’t think UofC students are exactly the target audience. I always find this sign curious as it does nothing to separate “no trespassing” and “violators will be prosecuted,” which I assume is what it meant as that message is the norm. Regardless, the full statement clearly says that no one will be prosecuted for trespassing. I don’t know much about what the legal meaning of sign even is, but I would think that if they meant anything, the apartment complex might have a hard time going after trespassers in court if the trespasser just pointed out the sign. Perhaps the usual meaning would win…

I noticed the same problem on a sign outside the botany pond. The sign read “keep off thin ice.” If there was a separation,  the intended meaning would come through. I of course am assuming that the UofC would generally prefer people to stay of a possible hazard…

I just don’t get why companies who do nothing but make signs would have gotten the concept of separation down at this point.