Marcio_Osorio

"DANGER - Bathers in this area are at a greater than average risk of shark attack" -- As seen on a shark-warning sign at Boa Viagem Beach in Recife - PE, Brazil.

My attempt at E-Prime:

"DANGER - Sharks may attack bathers in this area".

How would you have translated the original sign?

Thank you.

Karen

The sign informs bathers that they put themselves in greater than average risk of a shark attack if they swim in they swim in this particular body of water.

Your statement does not inform bathers of their potential risk, you just say that Sharks may attack in this area.

The sign could read:

Attention all bathers. You have entered a body of water that will put you in greater than average risk of a shark attack if you should decide to swim in this water.

Marcio_Osorio

Karen, thank you! Your suggestion would make bathers think twice before rushing into the water.

(On a side note, bull sharks have bitten some of the local and non-local bathers some of the time. Some of these bathers died as a result of bites.)

Karen

Attention all bathers BEWARE! You have entered a body of water that will put you in greater than average risk of a shark attack if you should decide to swim in this water. These shark attacks have resulted in DEATH!

Why on earth would anyone want to enter into dangerous waters with the knowledge that they could get bit by a shark? Someone should do a colorful pie chart study to show the most likely time of the day, months and seasons that people get attacked. Also how far out they swam, what prompted the attacks, male, female, young, old. etc. These visuals would have a greater effect of conveying a message than the printed word.......