Han Ximin
EXPATRIATES living in Shenzhen said they were happy to help correct wrong or poorly translated road signs in a three-month campaign at the invitation of the city transport commission.
The campaign will focus on traffic road signs at expressways, highways, trunk roads and roads near Universiade venues, hotels and transport terminals.
The campaign was launched following criticism by the public and city leaders that poorly translated road signs marred the city s image and could be misleading for foreigners.
Poorly translated or incorrect signs can be seen in parks, at transport terminals, checkpoints and government buildings.
Ron Dewitt, a QSI International School teacher in Shekou who has been in the city for four years, thought it was a good idea and helpful to invite native speakers to correct bilingual road signs in public areas.
In Shekou, there is a big billboard with a translation Empty talk endangers the nation, practical work brings prosperity. Dewitt said this translation doesn t make sense to foreigners, although it might be meaningful in Chinese.
Poor translations in Shenzhen can be seen everywhere, I can figure out the meaning, but it seems to me there are no people learning English in Shenzhen, said Dewitt.
Besides correcting poor translations, Dewitt suggested more English signs should be placed in public areas such as Metro stations.
The operation of the new lines is excellent, but there are no English signs, said Dewitt, who once took the Metro to Futian CBD and realized he had reached Coco Park only after he walked out of the station and saw the building.
Anthony Prempeh, 32, a Canadian businessman who has been in Shenzhen for two years, said yesterday he would take pictures of poor or incorrect translations. He would also ask friends to join him.
Residents can call the 24-hour hotline 8322-8000 or send e-mails to lym@sztb.gov.cn, or szdaily@126.com to report road signs with poor or incorrect translations.
