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Posted by saturn on 26-09-2008 at 08:18:
Lost In Translation
It has been a month since the end of the 2008 Olympic in Beijing, China. For the Chinese people, the Olympic itself, as well as the medals won by Chinese athletes, was a great source of national pride.
The Chinese Government did take this event seriously. The Chinese government promoted the Games and invested heavily in new facilities and transportation systems. One of the Chinese Authorities' biggest and most ambitious program was to launch a campaign to rid the streets and public places of mistranslations of English, in preparation for the increasing numbers of English-speaking athletes, supporters, and tourists.
Unfortunately, they seemed to overlook the English spelling in one of the banner used in Beijing Olympics.
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Posted by saturn on 26-09-2008 at 08:21:
The above error is actually not as bad as other examples that I am going to share with you right now, and some of the bad translations of English in China could be ranging from the tactless to the downright hilarious.
Take these next pics for example, rest rooms or toilets will definitely be one of the most important amenities during the Olympics, however, I can see many people got baffled after looking at some of the below ACTUAL signs at the toilets
And this is definitely the best of all, basically the rules of doing "the thing" in the toilet, 
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Posted by saturn on 26-09-2008 at 08:30:
The Chinese are also famous for its emphasis on proper conducts; therefore don't be surprised to see signs like these:
In case you are wondering, the better translation will be "Please supervise your children. Running around the hall is prohibited"
For the frolic part, the better translation should be "Playing around the bridge is prohibited"
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Posted by saturn on 26-09-2008 at 08:37:
The Chinese have always been very proud of the greenery in their areas, so they really mean business when they put signs like these at the greenery
However, this particular sign actually taunted us to step on the grass again and again,
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Posted by saturn on 26-09-2008 at 08:47:
The restaurant menu in China is always the best place to find weird and funny mistranslations of English
I can see from other thread that there are many Donut lovers here in this board. Anybody for a Chinese "Do-Nut"??
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Posted by saturn on 26-09-2008 at 08:57:
The Chinese try their best to put the safety& security of the people above all, and that's why you can always see signs like these in public areas and tourist spots:
To show that the Chinese are really serious about the safety&security of people, they will put a sign like this:
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Posted by saturn on 26-09-2008 at 09:08:
Finally, I have saved the best for last. The below signboard for a Single Club in China informed the female clients on the "10 Commandments of dating Chinese Men". I guess they wrote the English version to make it sounded more sophisticated. My most favorite part of the commandments is of course the last commandment,
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Posted by saturn on 26-09-2008 at 09:19:
Don't get me wrong. I put all the above amusing pics not to make fun of the Chinese. Heck, I am one of them and I am proud to be Chinese. I just wish that the government would put more effort in making sure that all of the public signs are written in impeccable English. They could have hired a native English speaker to help them, or even used the service of fluent English speakers in China. There are many Chinese who are actually very proficient in English,and would be glad to assist in correcting the many mistakes in translations.
Well,really need to go back to bed now, as my fever is definitely getting worse. It will still be a wonderful weekend, nevertheless, and I really hope that you all have a fabulous weekend too. 
!
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Posted by Springie on 26-09-2008 at 09:22:
OMG! I am cracking up here! Seriously, tears are coming from my eyes I am laughing so hard! I have several favorites...can't pick just one! Thanks so much for the laughs, Saturn!
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Posted by Springie on 26-09-2008 at 09:24:
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Awwww...Saturn, I am sorry you are sick!
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Posted by Ebonyswanne on 26-09-2008 at 10:37:
RE: Lost In Translation
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Saturn it makes me feel so much better about my not so good spelling at times!! (I know your not poking fun at your own. But at least you can see the humour in things. That's a gift.)
Hugs Saturn I hope you get better soon.
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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.
Posted by lborgia88 on 26-09-2008 at 13:30:
These definitely made me chuckle, Saturn!
I can see how these things happen, though. I took some classes years ago in reading/translating German, and I remember being very puzzled by a phrase that translated literally as "to push in the head" -eventually I figured out that it actually meant "to offend."
Posted by Transmute Jun on 26-09-2008 at 14:08:
Saturn, those are great! I appreciate the time and effort you took to compile them all and put them up! I have to admit, most of them I could figure out but some of them (like the toilet instructions) left me very confused.
I am so sorry to hear that you are sick. We will send over the team to cheer you up, in the Go Phoenix with a big bowl of chicken soup! (No, Jun didn't make the soup... 
)
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Posted by lborgia88 on 26-09-2008 at 14:58:
Or would you prefer, Saturn, that we just send the Eagle to you, with a big bowl of soup?
I hope you feel better soon.
Posted by shamrokchick on 26-09-2008 at 16:44:
Saturn, these are great! The last one is the best he he... I hope you feel better soon!!
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"They say the Titanic sank because it hit an iceberg, but that must have been Galactor's fault too." 
Posted by clouddancer on 26-09-2008 at 17:33:
Those were great Saturn.
Thank you for the laugh, just want I needed to end the week.
I hope you feel better soon.
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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
Posted by meg on 26-09-2008 at 22:05:
These are great Saturn! Thanks for posting them!
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Posted by Metaliant on 27-09-2008 at 08:40:
Dies laughing.
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Eagle in Residence
Tempory Frisker
Posted by Hinotori on 27-09-2008 at 11:49:
Those are great, Saturn! I'm 
here!! Thanks for posting them.
Hope you're feeling better today!
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Hinotori
Eagle in Charge
Posted by Barrdwing on 28-09-2008 at 01:48:
Those are hilarious, Saturn! 
Thank you for posting them--they were a lot of fun to read. I admit to being completely baffled by the "how to use the toilet" instructions: what happened to those? 
Oh wait, that's the same kind of confusion I got the first time I tried to translate Japanese . . . . <hides>
Hope you're feeling better soon!
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