An Analysis of Grammatical Errors in English Public Signage of TransJakarta
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26555/adjes.v12i2.1751Abstract
This study investigates grammatical errors in English public signage displayed within the TransJakarta transportation system. It aims to identify, classify, and interpret linguistic inaccuracies and explore their social implications within Jakarta’s multilingual context. Data were collected through direct field observation and documentation of bilingual signs found at bus stops and on buses. The analysis applied grammatical frameworks from Carter and McCarthy (2021) and the error typology of Ariani and Artawa (2022), while sociolinguistic interpretation was guided by Nenotek et al. (2024).
To strengthen the theoretical basis, this paper also draws upon recent linguistic studies emphasizing the role of grammar awareness (Wulandari & Harida, 2021; Warregh, 2025) and technological correction models (Qin, 2022; Wang et al., 2024; Zhong & Yue, 2022). Findings reveal frequent grammatical inaccuracies, especially article omission, determiner misuse, and sentence structure omission, mainly caused by literal translation from Bahasa Indonesia. The study concludes that improving linguistic accuracy in public signage enhances clarity, supports inclusivity, and reflects Jakarta’s global image.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Margareta Anita Sari, Yanti Rosalinah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish in Ahmad Dahlan Journal of English Studies (ADJES) agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the Ahmad Dahlan Journal of English Studies (ADJES) right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon the material) the work for any purpose, even commercially with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in Ahmad Dahlan Journal of English Studies (ADJES).
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Ahmad Dahlan Journal of English Studies (ADJES).
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
