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IN GETTING their message across to the Americans, the Japanese have adopted a very lopsided, cockeyed sign language. The signs of the language flash distorted phrases and wayward words. They dot the Japanese country. Their advertising ballyhoo usually becomes a humorous jumble in the serviceman's mind, but somehow the main idea limps into focus.

Cabaret signs often set the wordy pace for the peculiar posters. One cabaret shouts, "1000 of Beautiful Girls. Give your Passionate Cheek. Homely Atmosphere." Another boasts that "No Body Can Find Out More Nice Place Than Our Night Club." Another cabaret sign shuns the soft, graceful approach of sophisticated advertising and happily exclaims "Wow! Cold Beer, eh? Let's Go! To Keep Up Our Morale!"

A Japanese tire repair man's sign reads: "Specialist in Puncture." A sign posted at a highway's busy intersection warns the driver to "Speed Keep Strictly." A railroad overhead spanning the highway wears on its side the suggestion that drivers "Pray Safety Traffic."

These are the typical signs of the sign language. They're as much a part of the country now as hot dogs with sake, saddle shoes with kimono, and "so long, Joe" with "sayonara, boy-san." The signs aren't stupendous but they'll do. They aren't accurate but they're adequate.

Webster may turn in his grave occasionally. Advertising men may join the foreign legion. English teachers may hide their impressionable pupils. But does it all matter if "What They're About Talking We Know."

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