How to do things with signs. The formulation of directives on signs in public spaces

This paper analyzes signs and written messages aimed at regulating people's behavior in public spaces. Based on a collection of more than 700 verbal pictographic signs, the focuses how formulation directives reflect construct authors' deontic authority, they account for social legitimacy directive seek to evoke addressee's goodwill cooperativeness. The analysis shows that author's entitlement perform may be grounded references institutional or it manifested linguistic expression itself, such as use imperative mode, exclamation marks, threats sanctions. Entitlement also established by providing accounts directive. These take form reference rules norms information about benefits requested action recipients third parties. Finally, positive attitudes addressee creating affiliation using humor poetic devices. By comparing with previous research conversation, identifies request practices are specific this communication.