Roadside Linguistics - Sign Syntax

Michigan's warning signs regarding ice on bridges are pretty straightforward syntactically; in fact, I can't think of any other way to parse the sentence than the following - 

On the other hand, some signs from other states (like the one below) can be parsed differently depending upon which part of speech the word before is playing.

Logically, I would say that the sign is intended to be interpreted with before acting as a subordinating conjunction for a temporal, adverbial clause, as follows -

However, the option is open for before to be interpreted as a preposition telling where the bridge ices.

And this is why I don't sleep at night.

Sign image credits.

The Semantics of Slower Traffic - Part 2

In The Semantics of Slower Traffic, I posted about a semantically-challenged sub-set of automobile drivers who have a problem defining the word "slower" - particularly when it comes to the following sign.

I just received an e-mail with this brilliant photo-shopped picture that leaves no room for doubt about which drivers should be in which lanes on an expressway. - Thank you Bro

And here is one more picture to help reinforce the concept.

Signs of a Prescriptive Grammarian

Linguistics Cartoon Favorites - Passing Lane Ahead

Another Driving Lesson - Sign Semantics - DO NOT PASS WHEN OPPOSING TRAFFIC PRESENT

In Michigan two lane roads often have alternating passing lanes as shown in this illustration.

The side of the road with the single lane is always marked with this road sign.

I have been in a car many a times with different people and upon seeing this sign have heard the comment, "Well, duh, isn't that obvious." And I always find myself explaining the following:

The sign means that if you are in the single lane and the opposing lane has the extra passing lane, you may only pass if there are no cars in either of the opposing lanes. In other words, if there is a car in the far left opposing lane but the opposing lane closest to you is open, you may not use the open lane to pass because there is still opposing traffic present.

In sum, the context of where the sign appears is what makes the message on the sign not quite as obvious as one would think.