Beijing to launch campaign on non-standard English usage

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 ◆ Beijing to launch campaign on non-standard English usage

Garbled, misleading or misspelt English-language signs in many tourist spots, which have long confused English-speakers in Beijing, are expected to be changed, according to the China Daily.

There are many "Chinglish" words on road signs, public notices, menus and signs describing scenic spots, which often puzzle foreigners, the paper quoted an official with Beijing Tourism Bureau (BTB) as saying.

Xiong Yumei, vice-director of BTB, used the popular term "Chinglish" to describe the strange mixture of Chinese and English words and grammar. He gave an example as "Collecting Money Toilet".

Non-standard English usage ranges from obscure abbreviations, word-for-word translations of Chinese characters into English, improper omissions and misspellings, said the paper.

Linguistic perfection is becoming increasingly important with the rise in the number of foreigners flowing into the city.

Statistics indicate that around 2.85 million foreign tourists came to Beijing last year and the number is expected to break 3 million this year.

The Beijing Tourism Bureau recently launched a six-month campaign to foster standard English usage at 60 famous scenic spots frequented by foreigners, such as the Palace Museum and the Great Wall.

Many expatriates and local residents furnish tips on linguistic defects via telephone or e-mail, according to Xiong.

Students at prestigious Peking University launched a campaign last year to root out non-standard English usage in public places.