Stylistics and pragmatics of the Prague directive public inscriptions

Abstract

This article contributes to the study of public inscriptions perceived as a specific kind of mini-text. They function in the public space and are highly formalised, stencilled, fixed and socially recognisable. The pragmatic and stylistic analysis presented here includes linguistic elements of the inscriptions. Individual public inscriptions are treated as speech acts according to the type of directivity, i.e. prohibitions, injunctions, requests, warnings and permissions. The analysed research material was collected in the public space of Prague, and it comes from placards, posters, cards, stickers or buttons placed on doors, windows, gates, poles, bus shelters, building walls, etc.