| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
BEIJING : By the end of this year, more than a third of Beijing's population will know a foreign language.
That's because the government will standardise the English used in bilingual signboards in key public places.
Chinese officials are eager to develop their cities into cosmopolitan hubs.
Wei Qicheng's company has been making signs for more than four years.
He says 4 out of every 10 customers come asking for bilingual signs.
"We don't have professional translators, so we use the computer's translation tool - the English-Chinese dictionary. Signs usually have simple words so we try to translate them ourselves," says Wei of Lishilong Image Design Centre.
And most of the time, it looks fine but some spelling errors do slip in now and then.
Some are downright puzzling, while others make you do a double-take.
For example - "Prohibition Photography Photograph", which
It's not alliteration and reads funny but you get the drift - No Photography allowed.
"Some want bilingual signs but if they can't translate, they use hanyu pinyin," says Du Xinzhou, Beijing Xinlixuan Handicrafts & Gifts.
Under the municipal government's directions, Beijing long-distance bus stations will have to standardise their bilingual signs by June.
In the second half of the year, Beijing residents will be urged to notify the authorities if they spot improper bilingual signs.
"Improving the signs is one aspect. Another is that all our frontline staff must know transportation-related English, at least 200 sentences so they can communicate with foreign tourists," says Meng Yufei, Deputy Station Master, Zhangongkou Bus Terminal.
If this is not done well, travellers may miss their bus.
But there are instances when accuracy is important.
"In the case for hospitals, they bring their scripts here and we try to vet them. The clients also vet again because if the translation is wrong, it will be inconvenient for the patients," says Guo Xin, Shijilongren Cultural Promotion.
It might even cost a life.
Just across the main Olympic stadium is the China Nationalities Museum, which features more than 50 races in China.
Four months ago, it was reported that the name of the venue was inappropriately translated into English to be "Racist Park" - which is certainly not the intent or the policy of the Chinese government.
The correction of the translation is part of efforts the government is taking to ensure they don't become the butt of jokes.
The government has roped in experts - including foreign ones from US, UK and Singapore - to help with the standardisation exercise.
"Our main principle is demand. It is impossible to have bilingual signs everywhere. Our second principle is to standardise. As long as signs are in English and Chinese, the English version must be accurate and uniform," says Liu Yang, Deputy Director, Beijing Foreign Affairs Office. - CNA /ls
|
