Chinglish signs to be corrected in Shanghai

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Chinglish signs to be corrected in Shanghai

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Shanghai seeks end to 'Chinglish'
By Chris Hogg
BBC News, Shanghai

The authorities in the Chinese city of Shanghai are starting a campaign to try to spot and correct badly phrased English on signs in public places.

Chinglish, as the inaccurate use of the language is known, has long been a source of embarrassment for the authorities there.

It is also a source of amusement to foreign visitors.

But Shanghai wants to spruce up its image. It is expecting millions of visitors for the World Expo fair.

Student volunteers will check the English on signs throughout the city.

If they suspect the translation is less than accurate they will inform the government. Then the bureaucrats will request that whoever is responsible corrects the mistake.

You can find Chinglish all over the city. Often it can be blamed on software used to translate Chinese automatically.


“ Please bump your head carefully ”
Sign in hotel lift
Sometimes you can see what the author was getting at, such as the sign that warns people to "keep valuables snugly", and "beware the people press close to you designedly".

Then there are signs where they have mistranslated a crucial word.

One in a hotel lift advises people "please leave your values at the front desk".

Sometimes they have just got it the wrong way round, such as on the sign in the stairwell of a department store asking shoppers to "please bump your head carefully".

My favourites though, are those which get more surreal, like the one on the Shanghai metro from the public security bureau that reads: "If you are stolen, call the police at once."

Source - BBC News

Thought this was worth a mention. Looks like they got the message about how funny they are to us westerners. Shame....because some of them are really funny.

Here's a few that are around......

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Might even have to change the ones with no English on them as well. What this one all about. :?

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Re: Chinglish signs to be corrected in Shanghai

Post by Big Boy »

spitfire wrote:What this one all about. :?

Image
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Re: Chinglish signs to be corrected in Shanghai

Post by BaaBaa. »

Big Boy wrote:
spitfire wrote:What this one all about. :?

Image
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Post by JD »

Perhaps they should take note of how the Aussies word their signage.

Image

Maybe they should give Todd a call. :D
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Post by Spitfire »

That's a quality pic JD, funny! :thumb:

Just noticed though that also on that pic is the "Explosive powered tools in use", odd way to put it, and not sure entirely what that means. Are they firing RPGs at something? If they're just using TNT then why not just "Caution - Explosives"? :?

There also seems to be the same sign/symbol for telling people to 'beware of nailing tools' and 'beware of crane'. Fair bit of open ground between those two hazards. :?

Edit: Typo and for clarity
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Post by Terry »

There are quite a few websites devoted to this bit of fun - I think the best one is at http://www.engrish.com/

Check it out :thumb:
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Post by Khundon1975 »

Even the English get it wrong at times. :(
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And of course in the LOS there can always be found signs like this.
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:shock: That dish, with the correct spelling, (horse crab) is my wife's favorite dish on the beach in Cha Am. :thumb:
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Post by BaaBaa. »

The Horse crap is much fresher in HH, you should try it sometime KD. :mrgreen:
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Post by Khundon1975 »

BaaBaa. wrote:The Horse crap is much fresher in HH, you should try it sometime KD. :mrgreen:
Yes BaaBaa much better to have a fresh, warm lump. :wink:
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Post by dtaai-maai »

BaaBaa. wrote:The Horse crap is much fresher in HH, you should try it sometime KD. :mrgreen:
Would that be similar to a 'Kao' pat...? :run:
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Post by Khundon1975 »

Same meat, different gravy. :thumb:
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Post by Big Boy »

BaaBaa. wrote:The Horse crap is much fresher in HH, you should try it sometime KD. :mrgreen:
Especially on the beach :D
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Post by STEVE G »

If you go to the Medsai restaurant on Cha Am seafront, they have something on the menu that is translated as "white jews ears".
I don't know if it's some Thai delicacy or a bad translation!
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Post by Terry »

I recall seeing a chalked signboard outside a restaurant in Hua Hin in 1992

EVERYTHING FOOD

Sadly the photo got lost in my travels :(
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