‘Bridge May Ice in Cold Weather’:A Grammatically Wrong Road Signage in Texas, USA?
Summary
In countries where English is not the native
language, we sometimes see signages with grammatically incorrect phrases or
mistranslated statements. During my 2022 trip in Texas, USA, I often saw on the
highways signages in triangular orange boards that read: ‘Bridge May Ice in
Cold Weather’. While the message to motorists is clear, the statement appears
to be grammatically incorrect as ‘ice’ is a noun and not a verb. What is your
take on my
argument?
1. Strange Signages in English
In our travels to countries where English is not the native language, we sometimes see signages written in the English language. At times, we encounter grammatically incorrect phrases – if not mistranslated statements. A few signages are quite funny, if not outright hilarious. This situation is understandable, though, as they are not native English speakers.
As an illustrative context, I share here the multi-authored article (see https://www.rd.com/list/funny-foreign-signs/) of Brandon Specktor that appeared in the Reader’s Digest. Examples of humorous translations include: ‘Eat for the butter grouth’; ‘The yard is a free fallow land that fit for chatting and having a rest! Welcome to enjoy us!’; ‘10 min. walk / 7 if run a little’; and ‘Burn the hand carefully’. One signage I read somewhere, I just can’t recall exactly where, says: ‘Please take advantage of our chambermaid!’
2. Road Signage in Texas, USA
During my 2022 trip in Texas, USA, I often saw on the highways signages in triangular orange boards that read: ‘Bridge May Ice in Cold Weather’. I reckon that the word ‘may’ should be followed by a verb, instead of a noun. The word ‘ice’ is a noun, and not a verb. Hence, the statement is grammatically incorrect. The more appropriate phraseology could have been ‘Bridge May FREEZE in Cold Weather’.
My interest in this signage was rekindled when, during late afternoon of 1 January 2023, I strolled along Telge Road over Cypress Creek in Harris County, Houston. (My original intention was to walk up to Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church at Huffmeister Road – to atone for my sins of gluttony for binge eating since 22 December 2022 – but my legs gave up after reaching the Cypress North Houston Road!) As I approached the Cypress Bridge, I saw up close the orange signage. Hence, I took a souvenir photo of the said road signage (see Figure 1).
3. Use of Noun to Amplify
I recall one casual language discussion that – in certain circumstances – the strict rules of grammar may be set aside to highlight a certain point. Hence, some sentences or phrases may be written in a grammatically incorrect manner to provide the readers with a better visualization. That may include using a noun instead of a verb. Well, I may concede with that perspective.
That being the case, however, I shall use the noun ‘snow’ instead of ‘ice’. Why? Because ‘snow’ seems to be the more appropriately used term when referring to the freezing road and/or bridge condition instead of ‘ice’. Snow is weather-related phenomenon while ice could be regarded more as permanent geographic features such as those found in the Arctic Circle and Antarctica.
I have just retrieved a 2014 photo when I attended a seminar in Maryland, USA (see Figure 2). During that February winter time, I shall describe the scenery that ‘there is a snow on the road’ instead of ‘there is ice on the road’. In countries where I experienced the temperature at freezing point – or even dropping way below zero degree centigrade – snow and not ice was the term that was used. Unless my memory baffles me, that’s what I heard in other cold places where I stayed during winter time such as Melbourne, Australia (2005); Kent, England (1988/89); and Pyongyang, North Korea (2001).
4. Help from an American Friend
To be quite candid, I was hesitant to post this blog because I am neither a grammarian nor a native English speaker. Who am I to argue about the correct road signage expression in the English language? My only take is if noun will be used – instead of the verb freeze – the entire road signage may read as ‘Bridge May SNOW in Cold Weather’.
To resolve my dilemma, I sought the help of Dr. Susan Potter-Evangelista – a very affable American friend, mentor and colleague rolled into one – who generously reviewed my earlier draft and interacted with me on-line. She’s a literature expert and also a linguist. Overall, Dr. Evangelista concurred that my points are valid, with several caveats.
I have incorporated her feedback in Figure 1 and I quote: “Not to quibble but I find it easier to imagine a bridge icing than snowing – probably because ice just forms in place whereas snow falls from the sky… And roads can be covered with snow or frozen into ice or both! Drivers would need to know the difference!” She also pointed out about my expression of ‘a snow’ in Figure 2 – “we don’t normally count snow anymore than ice! A foot of snow! A few inches of snow!”
I have likewise added Dr. Evangelista’s reflective notes that contextualizes this blog. More specifically, grammatical correctness is kind of a slippery concept because it is always changing. Most new expressions are accepted as slang first but eventually become standard. Let me categorically state, though, that all the errors and inconsistencies in this blog are entirely mine.
Acknowledgement: I sincerely thank my very affable American friend, Dr. Susan Potter-Evangelista, for the following: (1) generously reviewing my earlier drafts; (2) allowing me to incorporate her feedbacks; and (3) and encouraging me to upload this blog as a tenuous link to my own sanity during my trying circumstances here in US.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael D Pido
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Very interesting Dean Mike.
Thanks for liking it Dean Marie!
My instant reaction upon reading the signage was that a Filipino must have written it. May (meron) ice in cold weather. 😂Hahaha. Then I thought “might” instead of “may” but then again it is in “cold weather” so may is more appropriate. I didn’t consider ice because I believe that ice can be both noun and verb. 😊
Hi Prof. Shirley – Thank you for sharing your thoughts as a linguist. This would be interesting to the other blog readers.
You have a point Prof. However, there are instances when a noun is converted into a verb. In your example, it’s probably due to 1. Expediency. Drivers moving along the road would have time to read the road sign; 2. Freezing vs Ice. Being solid, the bridge itself cannot freeze. But people in the northern countries of USA and Europe would have by nature deduce that ice and frost may form on the road surface and may pose a hazard.
Hi Sir Alex – Thank a lot for sharing your thoughts as a development communication expert. Feedbacks from readers make the articles more interactive. Cheers for now.
You are really a keen observer, Sir Mike. Am not a grammarian as well. I guess the signage is categorized to be localized which turns to be acceptable in the area.
Cheers to that!
You are really a keen observer, Sir Mike. Am not a grammarian as well. I guess the signage is categorized to be localized which turns to be acceptable in the area.
Ice is totally a verb. We’ve been saying “Can you ice those drinks?” since forever.
Hi Mark – Thanks for sharing your perspective as a native English speaker.