Error Analysis of English Public Signs in Tourist Attractions of Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

Chiang Mai, a major tourism hub in Northern Thailand, welcomes millions of domestic and international visitors annually. Public signs written in English play a vital role in facilitating communication for tourists. However, preliminary surveys indicate that many English public signs in Chiang Mai’s tourist areas still contain linguistic errors, which may hinder effective communication and impact the province’s tourism image. This study aims to analyze the types and causes of English language errors found on public signs in tourist attractions within Mueang District, Chiang Mai Province and to develop a comprehensive English language usage manual for public signage to serve as a practical guideline for future development.  A total of 63 English public signs were collected and analyzed based on six error categories: orthography, grammar, syntax, semantics, morphology, and redundancy. The findings reveal that the most common errors involve grammar, inappropriate vocabulary choices, and inconsistencies in translation, often resulting from direct translations influenced by Thai language structures. Based on the analysis, a guideline manual was developed to assist government agencies, local organizations, and private sectors in improving the quality of English public signage. This improvement aims to enhance tourist satisfaction, promote a positive image of Chiang Mai, and support sustainable tourism development in line with Thailand’s national tourism strategies.