Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Seen in Guizhou Province, China (photo: Brian Murphy, Engrish.com)
In preparation for the thousands of English-speaking visitors expected to attend next year’s World Expo fair, the city of Shanghai is working on correcting its many lost-in-translation signs found in restaurants and public places. The plan is to employ students to comb the city for so-called Chinglish phrases and report back to government officials who will then notify owners about correcting their signage. The problem is found not just in Shanghai, but throughout many cities in China. Examples of Chinglish signs include:
(from a menus at a restaurant):
“The clever and dexterous woman hand rips the cabbage.”
“The celery fires on employee.”
“Bad fragrant fish cooked until bones are soft.”
(at a department stores)
“Please bump your head carefully.”
(in the subway in Shanghai)
“If you are stolen, call the police at once.”
(restroom sign)
“Deformed man toilet.”
(at public park)s
“Take care to fall into water.”
“Slip carefully!”
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Shanghai Seeks End to 'Chinglish' (by Chris Hogg, BBC News)
Shanghai to Purge Itself of 'Chinglish' (by Malcolm Moore, Telegraph)
Clear Signs of Change Emerge for Area (by Liang Yiwen, Shanghai Daily)
Most Popular Posts (Engrish.com)
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