This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8219427.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Shanghai seeks end to 'Chinglish' | Shanghai seeks end to 'Chinglish' |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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". | 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. | 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". | 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". | 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." | 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." |
| What are your favourite examples of 'Chinglish'? Send them to us using the form below. | |
| And if you've got pictures, you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100 or 61124 if you are in the UK. If you have a large file you can upload here. | |
| Read the terms and conditions | |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |