Shield (sign)

A sign ( neuter , plural signs ) is a sign and information carrier in the form of a board, plate, plaque or other carrier, such as a note, card or film, which is provided with an on writing or a pictogram . In its contemporary version, the sign also appears in electrical form as a light panel or in electronic form on screens or LED walls. Signs are the subject of research in the field of linguistic landscape .

Signs at the Austrian-German border (Bavaria)

Road signs showing road signs. Including signs for road fixtures

The signage is used for information , documentation or as a signal .

etymology

The word is derived from the word language of the sign that designates a flat, transferable protection weapon which, if necessary, with heraldic is provided characters. In contrast to this, the word is neuter and has been attested in this form since the 15th century. As a rule of thumb for the correct use of gender , one can remember that only the sign described here, which is strictly speaking information conveying, is neuter. For all other related terms , especially for the coat of arms that convey information , it is called the shield.

Special signs

Information signs are placed to give the viewer information at their location, for example traffic signs with traffic signs that regulate road traffic. Street signs are located next to traffic signs in traffic, but only show the name of a street. Signposts show directions or routes. Warning signs are information signs that indicate danger and can be attached not only in road traffic, but also in other dangerous places (warning of high voltage, risk of falling), as well as the hazard pictograms for hazardous substances as well as the labeling of hazardous goods. Sign gantries are large signs that span the street. Posters are similar to advertising signs, but are usually only used for a limited period of time as a form of information carrier; usually they are printed on paper. Billboards, for example, carry advertisements. Badges are small signs for identifying components or clothing, for example as type plates . Small information boards serve as labels to provide information about individual objects in exhibitions . Labels are small sticky, sticky, or attached signs. Price tags indicate the price of a product.

Display boards

Piling up of signs at the Territorial Museum in Babenhausen (Hesse)

Information boards are on educational trails , on monuments and special buildings or facilities , at sights and in exhibitions , which explain the objects or facts to the viewer in more detail by providing and explaining the most important information about them in a concise form . Display boards that mainly contain pictures are called picture boards .

Road traffic

In road traffic ( road sign ), non-observance of an information sign, unlike a warning sign, does not necessarily have unpleasant consequences. In the road traffic regulations , signs are called signs . Even place names have the character of signs, some additional provisions are coupled albeit with them. In contrast, the traffic signs exist . Signs designate structures such as bridges, give distance information on traffic routes, point the way to emergency call facilities and indicate the direction of escape in emergency situations.

Road fixtures

By signs on road fixtures water supply points are in the fire shut-off valve and for supply lines (electricity, gas, water, district heating ...).

economy

In the economy there are billboards . This also includes tourist information and signposts .

Machines and workplaces are identified by signs. Examples of Industrial signs include maintenance characteristics , inventory characteristics , safety signs , warning signs , prohibition signs , mandatory signs , product labels or hazardous substance mark .

safety

For safety there are warning signs that are also used in traffic . At amusement rides , attention is drawn to the possible dangers of driving them. These signs can also be found on "harmless" rides and are often designed in such a way that they are intended to make the ride interesting.

Examples

Warning sign with warning of dangerous electrical voltage , DIN 4844
Signage of a container
Munich street sign
Sign for the beginning of a built -up area (Germany)
Memorial plaque on Richard-Sorge-Strasse in Berlin
old sign in the Bochum-Dahlhausen Railway Museum
Suction point for the extraction of extinguishing water in the Tegel Forest, Berlin
Sign for travel directions on tracks / train stations, Marl
Prohibition sign in Regensburg Cathedral ( pictograms )
Enamel danger sign of the Deutsche Reichsbahn: high voltage - caution - danger to life
Shark warning system in South Africa
Nose shield of a locksmith's shop
Signpost from several decades