Is WHILE to show a contrast not a necessary thing?

[z7655431]

As an EFL learner, I always think the conjunction "while" is used to link two contrasting ideas. And in many cases, we can use "though" or "although" to replace it.

For example:
While I don't agree, I understand their point of view.

While Ivan is very sociable, his brother is more reserved.

However, there's something very confusing in this news article. Here's the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c0mv8zjmw2ro

It says "While we don't condone the wreaths... and Santa hats, let's stay away from adhesives, graffiti and all things that can damage the art."

I find this wording confusing. Earlier in the article, it says:
"In the past other decorations like Santa hats and wreaths have been added but this was different."

This sounds like the council tolerated or at least accepted those past decorations. But then the post says "we don’t condone the wreaths and Santa hats". Isn’t that contradictory?

I would write it as
"While we condone the wreaths... and Santa hats, let's stay away from adhesives, graffiti and all things that can damage the art." -- This sounds correct to my EFL ears.

What do you think of this?

 

[emsr2d2]

No, they're not saying they condone the wreaths at all. They would prefer that people didn't put anything on the public sculptures at all. They're making a distinction between two things they don't condone:
1. Santa hats and wreaths which, though not condoned, at least don't damage the art;
2. Googly eyes (adhesives), graffiti etc which, also not condoned, does damage the art.

 

[jutfrank]

This sounds like the council tolerated or at least accepted those past decorations. But then the post says "we don’t condone the wreaths and Santa hats". Isn’t that contradictory?

Well done for noticing that the sentence does sound a little bit contradictory the way it has been phrased. To get the real meaning, read the sentence like this: "While we don't condone putting hats and wreaths on statues, it's better than sticking googly eyes on them." The person speaking is saying that he or she would prefer people to put wreaths and hats than stickers.