Catalunya Ràdio reports that the DGT will update some traffic sign pictograms. For example, the deer symbol representing "wild animals" will be replaced by a wild boar. This is bad news. It means their presence will continue. They'll also replace the symbol for a train engine with a chimney, which indicates a nearby level crossing or track (I just took my theory test and I can't remember), with a more modern train without a smoke vent. They'll also replace the symbol for "schoolchildren nearby," which is a boy running while holding the hand of a smaller girl.
Pictograms are just that: pictograms. They're schematic representations, and even though trains don't run on boilers these days, we all understand "train." With modern pictograms, for example, it's often difficult to distinguish between a bus and a tram. But the symbol for a boy running while holding the girl is a different story. The DGT spokesperson's statements were aimed at embracing the new realities, and at equality, at least among pictograms. If the boy holding the girl (who is smaller) is demonstrating power and male dominance over the woman, we can show a girl holding a smaller boy. But then someone will tell us that the girl is playing the role of caregiver and that this is perpetuating clichés. If we show a girl holding another, smaller girl, the same thing will happen. Will we wonder where the boys who don't take care of the little ones are? If we show, in short, a boy holding the hand of another, smaller boy, we will say that traffic signs only show macho men.
I understand there are pregnant women and pregnant men, because we live in an exciting world, but in the pictogram for preferential seats on the train, which represents a pregnant woman, I wouldn't put a beard on her, because it's understood that we'll also let a pregnant man sit. I think it's fine to give women visibility. But not in the pictogram woman.
