Doric Bilingual Road Signs
North East road users to get Doric-English signs
Bramble Graphics has been commissioned by North East Enterprise Platform (NEEP), to design guidelines for bilingual road signs using established sign design principles set out in the UK's Traffic Signs Manual (TSM).
The Doric road signage project recognises the importance of giving Doric a presence on road signs. Whilst there has been a drive to promote Gaelic on the West Coast, this initiative will see the appearance of Doric signs popping up on the East coast.
The guidelines include urban street signs, warning signs, information way finding signs, road works and tourist route brown signs.
Karen Barrett-Ayres, Creative Director at Bramble Graphics commented, "Following a ten-way pitch, I was appointed by NEEP based on my Doric coronavirus public health messages for the United Nations. It was a fun project to work on and I can't wait for them to install the signs on my own street. I think it will make a great conversation starter."
Three companies in the region were also appointed to assist with the project: Granite City Glaikits (GCG) ran the consultation process; Skinny Malinky Lang Legs (SMLL) assisted with Doric place name translations and Gype Productions printed the signs, and will be installing them in a phased approach.
The project was not without its challenges. I. C. Sharn from SMML explained, "The phonetic spelling of place names and pronunciation differing between teuchters and toonsers added a level of complexity to the project. There were some tricky decisions as to whether to translate Peterhead as 'Peterheid' or 'Bloo Toon'. But after a public consultation by GCG, 'Bloo Toon' won the popular vote."
A spokesperson from Gype Productions said, “It’s very timely that the Doric bilingual road signs will be rolled out in the region from the 1st of April 2021, just in time for the easing of lockdown travel restrictions in the area. We hope both locals and tourists will enjoy and appreciate them.”
Doric Road signs Gallery
