ecsersyse 27

I know i said that communication is all that matters, but there is a limit.
There are depths below which i cannot find acceptance.
Here's a transcript from a sign in a public swimming pool change room.
I would have taken a photo if i could (and there would have been a poetic kind of circularity if i had).

- - - - - - - -
Public Notice

Mobile's/Camera's must be turned off at all
times when in the changerooms, The privacy act
states that all mobile's/Cameras whilst in
changerooms, lockers or showers shall be
turned of and not in use this rule was
developed in the safety and privacy of
all patrons using the changerooms.

Thank you for your co-operation.
- - - - - - - -

• 3 rogue apostrophes - and not even used consistently
• 4 spelling errors (or 1 depending on your acceptance of changerooms as one word)
• 1 comma used instead of a full stop
• 1 missing full stop
• 5 capitalisation errors
• one grammatical error ( developed for not developed in)
• general structural sloppiness etc

And as for this so called Privacy Act - or privacy act - which act? Which state, which year?

This was not a hastily prepared, hand written sign.
They'd taken the trouble to have it professionally manufactured (Tho' obviously not professionally proofed).

I worry that kids who see this will see yet another example of bad english, grammar and punctuation. Coupled with their repeated exposure to more of the same on the internet, and other random signage, they will lose a sense of what's right ...... of what's even half-right.

Sure, enforcing some rules in English are just a way for the purists to separate themselves from what they regard as the 'ignorant masses', but at some point, we have to keep a certain level of standard so that ease of communication is maintained.
My brain tripped up repeatedly as it read this sign. It was almost painful.

In conversation, sms, and other informal communications - yes sometimes even blogging - Rafferty's rules can reign; as long as the people involved can still understand each other.
But in formal, printed language - books, newspapers, public signage - can't we at least retain a decent, respectful version of our language?

All that aside, however, of course i applaud the sentiment. Not only for the obvious privacy reasons. Mobile phones in general are too omnipresent and it's annoying to take a moment out of a busy life for a bit of quiet recreation - a few laps and a nice hot shower - only to have it interrupted by someone blabbing loudly on their mobile.