Preferred Facing Directions of Pictures: A Comparison of Traffic Signs in Japan and Germany

Abstract

Persons or objects on signs seem to have a culturally preferred direction of facing (Kumakura, 1990). Is such a difference in direction also true of pictures on traffic signs between Japan and Germany? People in Japan and Germany drive on the left and the right side of the road, respectively. In this respect, a question arises: Does the difference between left-hand and right-hand traffic in these two countries influence the way the pictures on traffic signs face? The aim of this study is threefold: 1) to collect functionally equivalent traffic signs in Japan and Germany; 2) to compare the pictures on the signs between these countries with respect to their facing directions; and 3) to try to clarify whether and to what extent differences in facing directions are found on the traffic signs. The results are expected to contribute to the study of the relationship between writing directions and facing directions of pictures.

Keywords

Facing direction / preference / traffic signs / Japan / Germany

References

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