Error Investigation of Public Signs and Foreigners’ Perceptions of Business Signs in Bangkok: A Case Study of Sathorn and Sukhumvit Areas

Abstract

Although news reports reveal grammatically incorrect signs in Thailand, many studies have overlooked the impact of these errors. Mistakes on public signs could confuse foreigners and reflect negatively on the nation’s language proficiency. Addressing these errors is essential, as they affect readers’ comprehension and the country’s image. These errors should be investigated for grammatical mistakes that impact foreigners’ understanding of English-language signs. The study began with a questionnaire distributed to 30 foreigners to understand their viewpoints on error signs, focusing on 40 signs with grammatical errors. The findings highlighted two main points. Firstly, 17% of the total error signs received low scores in the survey. The English on these public signs was unclear and grammatically incorrect, making it difficult for foreigners to understand. Secondly, error signs involved selection (30%) and omission (28%) strategies based on Corder’s (1973) theory. Errors such as inappropriate vocabulary, misspellings, and word omissions led to unintelligibility. This study is critical for stakeholders, including travelers in the Sathorn and Sukhumvit areas, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations, as it aims to improve and produce effective public signs. The recommendation of the study includes replacing governmental and non-governmental signs with linguistically accurate and appropriate versions. Ultimately, this will benefit our country by boosting investor confidence, promoting a positive national image, and attracting more tourists.