Showing posts with label ambiguous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ambiguous. Show all posts

Thursday, August 02, 2012

DO THEY REALLY MEAN THAT?

The nuance of language is a curious and important element of communication both in speech and in written forms.  It is usually indicative of a good sense and understanding of the language.  Some speech forms are ubiquitous, and, while I stand to be corrected, I do not think it is a case of regional difference and understanding that the following explanatory form is used locally, in the way it is.  Dare I say it, I think it is lazy, it is easy to use, but I believe, it is ambiguous. 

Many local traders have, what I find, a disconcerting habit of occasionally shutting up shop, putting notices up on their doors that  suggest  something negative has occurred. 

I can fully understand and sympathise with;

"Due to unforeseen circumstances we have had to close this week."

"Due to illness, the shop has closed early."

But...

"Closed this afternoon from 1pm due to Jamestown Scottish Highland Games."  



"The Beauty salon will be closed on Saturday afternoon due to a pamper party."


If a shop is closing early to let the staff enjoy a local event, such as Highland Games, or, a beauty salon has all its beauty appointments happily fully booked with delightfully appropriate pampering business, why negatively nuance the announcement.  Could it be that I am  missing something here due to......................  ambiguity?