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/ass Asian Social Science Vol. 6, No. 11; November 2010 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 171 On the Dynamic Adaptability of Chinese Public Signs Yaming Jin School of Foreign Languages, Henan University of Technology 140 Song Shan Road, Zhengzhou 450052, China E-mail: bonniejin@ This research is financed by Henan University of Technology foundation program. No. 07XSK013 Abstract This study aims to discuss the classification and description of current Chinese public signs and the dynamic adaptability in public signs designing. Based on the survey carried out in Ya Xing Residential Zone Zhengzhou city and Verschueren’s Theory of Linguistic Adaptation, the author attempts to analyze that public signs language is a choice-making process in adaptation to the constantly changing communicative context, the main components of which are changed physical conditions, social relationships and settings, and cognitive and emotional needs of the public. Keywords: Public signs, Adaptation, Communicative context 1. Classification of public signs Public signs play an indispensable part in our everyday life which are defined as words or drawings written on a piece of paper or metal, etc in public places performing the informing, warning and advocating functions. Informing type is to provide information and service widely accepted and applied to our life. Warning public signs perform the function of warning, putting demands and restrictions on the relevant addressees who are expected to abide by public norms for the sake of the public. Warning signs include three subtypes: forbidding, requesting and educating which manifest three periodic changes over time. The first period is before China’s reform and opening-up. The influence of cultural revolution was not totally eliminated. Public signs relevant to our daily trival lives were also labelled with the Chinese characters like“严禁” and “不许”. The seco