How should I read "groups/meetings"?

[sitifan]

No buffet-style food in groups/meetings inside GBC.

Which of the following readings is correct?
(A) No buffet-style food in groups slash meetings inside GBC.
(B) No buffet-style food in groups and meetings inside GBC.
(C) No buffet-style food in groups or meetings inside GBC.

 

[teechar]

Where did you find that phrase, and what does CBG stand for?

 

[sitifan]

Where did you find that phrase, and what does GBC stand for?

In the church bulletin of Grace Baptist Church, Taipei.

 

[teechar]

I think they mean "No buffet-style food is allowed at (group) meetings inside the church".
In other words, no buffets are allowed at official meetings or any group gatherings.
Sorry about my mistranscription.

 

[jutfrank]

The use of the slash would make me interpret (C). The writer here is using the slash symbol as an alternative to the word or.

Your interpretation (A) doesn't make sense as an option. All you've done there is pronounce the word for the slash symbol.

But maybe I misunderstand your question. Are you asking what the sentence means or are you asking how to pronounce it?

 

[sitifan]

But maybe I misunderstand your question. Are you asking what the sentence means or are you asking how to pronounce it?

If I were to read the sentence aloud to the congregation, which reading would be appropriate?

 

[jutfrank]

or

But be aware that it will sound like you're just reading aloud information from a notice. You should say it in a much more natural 'spoken' way. For example:

I would like to remind everybody that food is not allowed in groups or meetings.

The best words to use depend on factors including what role you are taking in the act of giving this information and where you and your listeners are when you say it.

If you tell us this, I'm sure other members can give you some better suggestions.

 

[tedmc]

"No buffet style food" seems to imply that other styles of food are allowed. Why say "buffet style" in particular"?

 

[Rover_KE]

Where did you find that phrase, and what does CBG stand for?

In the church bulletin of Grace Baptist Church, Taipei.

You've been a member long enough to know that we want this information in post #1.

 

[sitifan]

"No buffet style food" seems to imply that other styles of food are allowed. Why say "buffet style" in particular"?

Because of Covid-19, no buffet style food is allowed at least for the time being. Other styles of food are safer.

 

[emsr2d2]

No buffet-style food in groups/meetings inside GBC.

Which of the following readings is correct?
(A) No buffet-style food in groups slash meetings inside GBC.
(B) No buffet-style food in groups and meetings inside GBC.
(C) No buffet-style food in groups or meetings inside GBC.

If I were simply reading aloud what someone else had written, I'd use C. If I were dictating it to someone else who was typing it/writing it down, I'd use A.