SRF Global Translations, specialists in nuanced, localized, multilanguage translation of compliance and marketing materials for multinational companies.

China Cracks Down on Bad English Translations

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The Chinese have been extraordinarily adept at unintentionally hilarious translations, but the government is not amused, particularly with the 2008 Beijing Olympics on the horizon. So China has launched yet another drive to clamp down on bad English. Bad translations seem funny, says SRF Global Translations president, Sloan Friedman, until you consider their economic impact.

New translation guides will be handed out at hotels and shopping malls, on buses and at tourist attractions, Xinhua news agency said -- even at places with no entry on peacetime.

One sign sure to go: a huge train station sign says "Question Authority," in a Communist state of all places. (The sign points to the help desk.)


18-Oct-2006 By BL Ochman permalink Permalink Email this
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