Fractured English II

Here You Are : Castle Křivoklát : Křivoklát, CZ

One of the things that most stood out in the Czech Republic was the near-perfect English on signs and in menus and in the English translations of the exhibits for Růžena Zátková at the Prague Castle. (It stood out in sharp contrast to the almost lazy, passive-aggressive translations from French into English that are encountered daily in France and that are more exasperating that laughable.) The Czech Republic wasn't completely free of fractured English, though. My very favorite was at Castle Křivoklát on the orientation map just out the castle entrance. Next to a target symbol indicating our location were the confident and bold words, "Here You Are."

 English-Specking : Prague, CZ

Second place goes to a hair salon on Karlova Street not far from the Charles Bridge. "English-Specking," it declares. I'm not sure if this is a new treatment involving English stylists using bacon or if they just trusted the sign maker too much!

Help Drink : Brezi, CZ

Finally, third place goes to a sign seen in Brezi, when we visited the Zatkovy Pasta Factory. I think this is meant to support a drink-drive campaign. Or, it's meant to boost sales of Czech beer while also encouraging good social responsibility. Either way--it would seem a taxi is in order!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/11

Prague Signage

 U Kapra : Prague, CZ

The House of the Blue Horse : Prague, CZ

The Golden Fleur-de-Lys : Prague, CZ

As you wander the streets of Prague, you begin to notice bas relief signs and flourishes on the buildings. These symbols hark back to a time when reading and education were limited to the very rich and the nobility. For the common person, these signs and symbols were what they "read" to know where they were or where they needed to be. For example, if you wanted to get to the apartment where we stayed, you'd need to get to Karlova 48. If you weren't able to read, my instructions to you would be, go to Staré Město toward the Charles Bridge. Find the house with the golden fleur-de-lys, past the house with the blue horse, and on to the house with the man holding a carp. Turn the corner and go to the door to the right of the chocolate shop and you've arrived!

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 4/11

Riquewihr

Just another cute little town in the Alsace. This one's called Riquewihr. See more photos here. One of my favorite features of this region are the iron signs hanging above the shops and restaurants. This one was especially colorful, animated, and delightful.

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 9/10

Look!

Nouveau LOOK : Annecy, FR

One of the places we went while my sister was here was Annecy, France. This quaint little town is on the road to Albertville, France, host of the 1992 Winter Olympics. Currently, it is one of three finalists, along with Munich, Germany, and Pyeongchang, South Korea, veying to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Annecy lies on Lac d'Annecy, about 35 km (22 miles) south of Geneva in the Haute-Savoie region. As we were walking through the older part of town, I noticed this doorway. Looking a little closer, I was delighted by this sign.

Look a little closer : Annecy, FR

Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 1/10

Signs and Colors

Sign over the Winstub du Sommelier : Bergheim, FR

One of the neat sights in the towns and villages of the Alsace are the signs hanging over the doors of businesses and the colorful buildings. According to my friend, Di, Disney modeled its sets for Beauty and the Beast after the signs, buildings, and plazas of Bergheim, Ribeauville, and Riquewihr.

Colorful buildings in Bergheim, France

Photo copyright: Janet Kincaid, 05/09