Posted on 04/13/2007 8:55:07 AM PDT by kevin_in_so_cal
English language experts say that, with the 2008 Olympics less than 500 days away, there is still a long way to go before standard English translations of the names of dishes and drinks sold in Beijing restaurants can be finalized.
Garbled and misleading English signs in tourist spots have long confused English speakers in Beijing. Problems range from obscure abbreviations, word-for-word translations of Chinese characters into English, improper omissions and misspellings.
But what confuses them even more are English menus in Beijing restaurants.
However, not everyone agrees with the need to standardize everything. "Weird and wonderful English on Beijing menus -- like "pee soup", "complicated cakes" and "grass with fishy smell" -- are part of the city's charm," said Theo Theodopolopodis, a Greek businessman who has been living in Beijing for two years. "If we sanitize everything, what happens to local flavor?"
Liu Yang, vice director of the Beijing foreign affairs office, told reporters Wednesday that his office has invited English language experts from the United States, the United Kingdom and Singapore to join the English menu translation work team.
"They are finding the work challenging," said Liu, adding that Beijing has already publicized standard English signs for museums, scenic spots and subways.
Liu said that Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Programme has been using the internet to identify the most accurate English names for Chinese dishes, and is working on a list of more than 1,000 dish and drink names.
Beijing claims to have 4.87 million residents who can speak English, accounting for 32 percent of the total population in the municipality.
Statistics indicate that around 2.85 million foreign tourists came to Beijing last year and the number is expected to top three million this year.
That is the correct usage of “pore.” It means to examine something closely.
It’s funny how many people want to use this word, but think it’s spelled “poor” or “pour.”
You may want to ask the Moderator to delete the parenthetical note to your title.
You beat me to that! I’ve seen professional writers use ‘pour over’ instead of ‘pore over’...
You’re kidding.....I ALWAYS thought it was “pour”....are you sure?
You are correct..
see http://www.engrish.com for some great laughs.
Sick.
That site is hysterical. :)
One pours milk over cereal.
One pores over Engrish menus, with varying degrees of intentness.
Now if I can just get people to understand that “reining in” has to do with horses and not with royalty . . .
I always puree over menus.
“Are your money are belong to us!”
Thank God for the Ammendments in the Bill of Rights.
Without those Ammendments, we'd be all amuck.
That is the correct usage of “pore.” It means to examine something closely.It’s funny how many people want to use this word, but think it’s spelled “poor” or “pour.”
Are you series? This is HUGH!
What’s the other one I see around here all the time?
There’s “loose” as a verb . . . there’s the multiple ways to misspell Giuliani . . . oh, heck.
If somebody’s allergic to peanuts, they certainly don’t want to order a dish with peanuts in it.
Ah, thanks.
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