Japlish

I could fill page after page of examples of how people in japan butcher English grammar and style. I used to get upset about this but don't any longer. I read an article a long time ago which put it all in perspective. when we see language displayed, we assume it is serving some real function. It is being used to inform when informing is needed. it is being used to guide when guiding is needed. It is being used to warn when warning is needed. The language needs to be correct because the author wants to the language to impact people.
Fine and good until you go abroad. Suddenly, English has a new function - decoration. Meanings and grammaticality are second or third. And so it goes hear with this sign at my school. It was put up because they thought they would have peolpe visiting who would need it? That's the BS someone may have usedto justify the inclusion if English. In fact, the English is there simply for looks. It is there to add an air of sophistication to the campus, to suggest that there really are people around here who can't read Japanese and need the English (there aren't, never have been, and never will be). This is Decorative English 101.