Signs - Context matters by Melissa Shaw

Symbol, Index, Icon

mmacneilshaw — 2024-11-12 12:51:31 UTC

Speed Sign

2024-11-12 14:17:47 UTC

This sign can represent 40 miles in the United States and UK, but it can represent 40 kilometers in other countries.

wkd837544 — 2024-11-12 14:18:00 UTC

One potential meaning of this is as the tool used to keep your pants from falling down. Another potential meaning is as a tool of corporal punishment. In Canada we do not have corporal punishment, and thus our first thought if the standard use of a belt, and not the method of whipping. But, in another country, belts might be used as more of a weapon, than a tool, and thus many people might view it as a danger, especially considering potential childhood trauma.

Minh and Alex

tm161778 — 2024-11-12 14:20:49 UTC

The word dragon can be interpreted differently in different cultures. For example, in Western culture, a dragon is a destructive fire-breathing maiden-stealing monster. In Asian culture, it is a creature that creates rain to help humans grow crops.

Beaver tail-Gabby and Gaelle

2024-11-12 14:21:17 UTC

In Canada, the beaver tail is a delicacy, not an actual beaver tail. Context is important to show distinction being a pastry and a beaver. Countries other than Canada might not understand the context of beaver tail as a food.

Gun

bic044990 — 2024-11-12 14:21:32 UTC

Guns in the United States are a symbol of freedom, many civillians own them and celebrate them. But in China, you are not allowed to own or have even look at them because they symbolize death.

Liya and Mose

2024-11-12 14:23:51 UTC

Shouting in some cultures can be seen as an expression of passion, while it can be seen as aggressive and impolite in other cultures.

Commas (symbol)

2024-11-12 14:25:01 UTC

In North America a comma in numbers is placed every third digit to the left of the decimal point and so is used in numbers with four or more digits for easier reading. This number would be read as a thousand.

In Europe, commas in numbers are used to indicate decimals, This number would be read as one.

Kissing Greeting-Gaelle and Gabby

2024-11-12 14:25:22 UTC

Greetings in Europe and South American are customly given with kisses on the check. To Western cultures, this greetings could be considered strange.

Sunny

2024-11-12 14:25:39 UTC

In Canada, people find it normal to see sunny weather. In China, however, people feel happy when they see sunny days, because sunny weather is quite rare in many parts of the country. Air pollution is more severe in China.

Lion - The king of the jungle

ss464453 — 2024-11-12 14:26:17 UTC

A lion represents the majestic beauty and magnificence of nature and also is used to represent power in different contexts, for example a lion can be used in a painting to serve as an allegory of human power. This is an index, as it points to nature's beauty and Alsop refers to power in various contexts. For some people, a lion is also a threatening display while for some it is a display of greatness.

Crying Emoji

2024-11-12 14:27:13 UTC

Anna & Liam

Tattoo

wkd837544 — 2024-11-12 14:27:53 UTC

In some cultures, tattoos have cultural significance, and societal implications, whereas in Canada, we mostly consider getting them just for funsies. While it is true that some tattoos have emotional significance in our culture, for the vast majority of tattoo getters, their tattoos have little depth to them.

Liya and Mose

2024-11-12 14:28:41 UTC

In some cultures, the age of 18 grants many freedoms and is symbolic of an adult. While in other cultures, 18 is not seen as old enough to be granted freedom, and is seen as still a child.

Reahan, nahaeR, Reahan and Reahan

cra544545 — 2024-11-12 14:28:51 UTC

Fire, depending on the situation can be of mixed meanings. Either that of safety and warmth, or death and destruction. If you are stranded in a cold forest then a fire means you can stay toasty for a bit, and you may be inclined to keep it alight for as long as you possibly can by finding firewood. However if you have left the stove on for too long and your house is burning down, it instead means that you may need to call the Fire Department may have to evacuate to avoid getting crushed under the rubble of your house.

Fire has also gained a new meaning as of recent, to denote something that is denoted as 'really great', such as: "This song is fire!" or "This food is absolutely fire"

Alex and Minh

sam857103 — 2024-11-12 14:28:56 UTC

In the US, an elephant is the symbol of the Republican party, and all of their policies, making them a controversial symbol. In Hindu and Buddhist religions, representing loyalty, power, wisdom, and fertility.These ideas are generally in opposition with the American ideas of an elephant, making the animal perceived differently in different parts of the world.

2024-11-12 14:30:17 UTC

Arrows and Bows have been central at humanity throughout our evolution, and they index our history and our nature of hunting, competition, and war.

Ian + Saurabh

Skull Emoji

2024-11-12 14:30:33 UTC

Anna & Liam

Pounds (symbol)

2024-11-12 14:32:11 UTC

If you ask someone from the US the meaning of this word, they'll say it refers to weight. Yet for an English person, it is a currency.

Skull emoji

2024-11-12 14:32:26 UTC

For most people, the skull emoji represents death. But for younger people it has become a new emoji to represent your reaction to something. Especially if it is funny or weird (like a way to say the saying "i'm dead" in one emoji)

The Ocean

pma000356 — 2024-11-13 00:35:18 UTC

While the ocean often symbolizes calmness, peace and strength, it can also mean destruction in multiple contexts, such as tsunamis or flooding.

Smiling

2024-11-13 00:45:35 UTC

In some countries, it is more normal to smile at people around you, than in other countries. For example, in Russia, if you smile at a random person on the streets it can be seen as disrespect. In countries like Canada, it is more normal and is more acceptable .

2024-11-13 00:49:26 UTC

In a lot of context this sign represents peace, goodwill or victory. Most westerns countries refers to this sign with the palm facing outward is a symbol of peace. however in the UK, Ireland and Australia the sign if shows with the palm facing inward, it is considered offensive. Additionally, in the war context it holds as a symbol of a call for peace while in a competitive environment it can be signify victory. Also, the sign can be seen in fashion context where it simply serve as a stylistic choice with no deeper meaning. this sign is important in understanding the specific audience and cultural context to reduce unintended negative messages.

Crows

pma000356 — 2024-11-13 00:54:57 UTC

To many people, crows are seen as symbols or omens of death. Though in some cases, notably in Norse mythology, crows are associated with Odin and therefore wisdom. And in Japanese folklore, crows are considered divine messengers and a good omen.

2024-11-13 01:04:32 UTC

In many East Asia cultures, particularly in Chinese, Vietnamese, and other Lunar New Year celebration, the red envelope is given as a gesture of goof luck, prosperity and blessing as it is a traditionally filled with money and given on special occasions (such as Wedding, birthday, new year,...) However, in the western contexts the red envelope is sometime mistaken as just a decorative card or a simple greeting because many don't realize that the envelope should contain money, or they might not be aware that the amount has specific meanings. This is why it is important to understand the purpose of the red envelope to helps prevent it from being misunderstood or used out of place.

Cheking the time

2024-11-13 16:19:26 UTC

In some countries, checking the time is considered rude, indicating that you don't like to spend time with the person next to you or that you can't wait to leave. But in other countries like Canada, it's more normal and has no big meaning behind it.

Thomas and Joaquin

2024-11-13 18:26:39 UTC

In normal everyday life a seatbelt represents something you use in a car to help stay in place incase of a car crash, in football it would be a celebration where the DB claims he "strapped" the REC due to how he stayed with him over the course of the rep.