Job Discussion Forums

englishgibson · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 4345

I am posting this to Job Related forum since it is connected to FTs work, in my opinion.

Chinese students at Primary, Middle, High Schools or Universities learn English from their Public Schools' English books as well as from schools' signs in their schools. I have been to a few of those schools and many English signs have caught my eye. Some of those signs were rather interesting, some funny and some hardly to be classified as English.

At one of the Middle Schools called "Foreign Language School" I have recently noticed a sign "to be a lofty and upright Chinese". Smile

...only about 15% of the students there can actually understand the basic English Wink

I'd like to know about experiences of others at their public schools.

Peace to the Chinese educational system
and
cheers and beers to the hard working FTs in China Very Happy

mondrian · Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:53 am Post subject:

My favorite in a local Middle School:

"To let"

Steppenwolf · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 1769

English rendering of a local restaurant chain:

"Fu Hua Bite and Sup Co. Ltd."
Shunde, Guangdong

frank d · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 155

The one that always comes to mind when I read such entries (all the ones before me are priceless, thanks!) is one that I saw within my first week in China in 2003.

I was in a minor city, away from the center of town, and one evening I walked into a small hotel. The girl stood nervously at attention as she was clearly not prepared to deal with a foreigner. What caught my eye as I walked farther into the room was the sign plate on the reception counter which read: "Perception."

Bayden · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 988

brsmith15 · Joined: 12 May 2003 Posts: 1142 Location: New Hampshire USA

Maybe what gets our collective goat is the fact that there are so many excellent English speakers here; I've told my son that my Chinese wife's English is better than his. If they're going to take the time and effort to put Chinese signs into English, why can't they just get someone skilled in the Lingua Franca, and it doesn't have to be a native speaker.

Here in Shanghai, my favorite is

CUSTOMER PARAMOUNTCY
CREDIT STANDING THE FIRST

Now, what the eff do you think they were trying to do?

chinaamber · Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 73 Location: Guiyang

My local Bank of China has a window labelled Personal Synthesis which I have never quite had the nerve to queue for.

My school has recently begun asking me to check the English on their signs and adverts and I can recognise what needs changing but, to my shame, cannot think of the best English for the job!!!

Chinglish just makes so much sense to me now...........

adamsmith · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 259 Location: wuhan

some of my favorites are the street signs.

example - Don't drive tiredly or don't drive drunkenly (I think this is the most commonly ignored sign going) Just watch the drivers - the way they swerve in and out of traffic without a care it sure looks like they are driving in a drunken manner.

adamsmith · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 259 Location: wuhan

i just remembered this beauty of a sign.

I was in the washroom at Taishan while on the holiday. Over the urinal was a sign asking people to 'behave civilly, be polite'. I am guessing that this must not be an exact translation or the chinese definitions for these words do not include don't look over the divider and stare at the laowai or you will miss the target and p on your shoe.

mondrian · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 3:05 am Post subject:

Crippler · Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 141 Location: Dongguan

A sign at Mengjangnu temple beside a pond: "Don't Fall Off The Water."

Several young ladies (12 Year olds) wearing t-shirts with word "Prey" on the front.

Laoshi1950 · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Australia

What this small Wenzhou business did has always been a mystery to me! I used to commute past this shop every work day.

The shop had the most baffling business name.

The business sign on the shop front read:

"Spade A

Wenzhou the Black Peach Teaches the Hair to Operate the Department"

I was unable to decipher the Chinglish during my 2 years working in Wenzhou.

I still don't know what customers would find there to buy, if they were to enter an establishment with such a strange business name!!

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898

Laoshi1950 · Joined: 22 May 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Australia

Hi tw! Not quite sure what the business involved. I have a photo of the shop, but I've been unable to upload it to this board, or to send it to you by PM. The photo also shows the business name in Chinese characters.

From the photo, the shop is divided in two sections. The left side has big stacks of blue boxes (about shoe box size) with white printing on them. The right side appears more open, but there seems to be a low seat or couch in the centre of the space near the wide front door.

tw · Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3898