A multilingual sign can look welcoming while giving different instructions in each language. Before arranging the typography, decide exactly what a visitor is being asked to do.
Write one plain action in the original language: return cups here, queue at this desk, or collect one leaflet. Keep background explanation separate. Short source text is easier for a reviewer to discuss than a friendly paragraph containing several hidden tasks.
Ask a competent speaker to review the translated meaning in context. Show the physical location and the object the sign refers to. A word chosen for a general container may not be the ordinary word for the particular box on the table.
Test the instruction as an action
Place the draft sign where it will be used and ask a reviewer what they would do next. They do not need to praise the design; they need to identify the intended action. If the answer differs between versions, revise the wording before printing.
Keep all language versions together when an instruction changes. Updating only the largest line can leave an older rule visible beside the new one.
Use symbols as supporting cues, not as proof that translation is unnecessary. A good sign helps people act confidently without needing a volunteer to explain which version is current.
Editorial illustration from this site’s image library; not documentary evidence of the example or object discussed.