Summary

The website content recounts humorous and perplexing experiences with Chinese to English translations encountered during a trip to China, highlighting the unintended humor and confusion often found in signage.

Abstract

The author shares personal anecdotes from their 2015 trip to China, where they encountered various signs with English translations that ranged from amusingly literal to utterly baffling. These signs included warnings about not touching or climbing on certain structures, instructions for navigating to tourist attractions like the Yu Garden, and notices about shop closures due to network upgrades. The author reflects on the challenges of communication and the charm of misunderstandings when languages and cultures intersect, as seen through the lens of signage that often left them smiling or puzzled.

Opinions

The author finds humor in the direct translation of signs, such as the use of "slippery" as a noun and the ambiguous instruction not to "climb on the rails."
There is an appreciation for the clarity of pictograms, which can transcend language barriers, as seen in a warning sign about a wet and slippery surface.
The author expresses a sense of accomplishment mixed with frustration when finally locating the Yu Garden after a prolonged search, indicating that even famous landmarks can be elusive.
The author is intrigued by the Chinese signage they cannot understand and expresses a desire for someone to provide explanations for the Chinese characters.
There is a touch of irony in the author's observation of a sign advertising a "public latrine," which they note is a novelty for them, highlighting cultural differences in public amenities.
The author critiques the phrasing of a flight announcement, suggesting that simplicity is preferable, as seen in the suggestion to remove the word "take" from the phrase "Welcome to take our flight."
The author reacts with amusement to a sign at the Great Wall of China that seems to invite visitors to "run," given the challenging nature of the steps.

Lost in Translation

Chinese to English makes me smile

A classic translation of “don’t touch!” Photo by author

When I travelled to China in 2015, I saw some signs in Chinese with English translations. This one brought a smile. You can’t put your hand on it but what about your feet? They knew how to use the exclamation mark though!

I was searching for a device onto which I could download some of my photos from my iPhone. I had to keep deleting photos and videos because I only had a 16Gb iPhone. Keep in mind I didn’t even know what this was called in English so imagine me trying to explain to a Chinese technician what I was looking for.

I didn’t have to explain at this shop in Guilin because it was closed. This was the sign on the window. I have no idea what the Chinese writing said but in short, the shop was closed. The business had been suspended because of a network channel upgrade? I’d love someone who can read these characters to explain what it means.

A beautiful bridge with a warning sign. Photo by author

There’s a lot of Chinese characters and a lot of English words, but I think it means “don’t climb on the rails.” They’re definitely on the edge. I don’t know if the impact in the water is the risk or the rails might collapse if you climb on them. They look sturdy enough. I was warned so I didn’t climb over the rail but I did sit down for a minute.

Even I understood this pictogram! There was a wet slippery surface and you had to be careful or you might fall onto your bum. But using “slippery” as a noun made this a funny sign. Be careful of slippery…he might emerge from under the bridge and eat you. At least “slippery” didn’t use a capital S.

You’re confused? We were too! Photo by author

We had been looking for the Yu Garden in Shanghai for a long time. I think we had been walking round in circles. How could something so famous be so difficult to find? Maybe we had found the back entrance? This is the sign we finally saw with “directions” on how to access the garden. We eventually made our way into the garden but couldn’t appreciate its beauty because our feet were so sore from all the walking!

I had never seen a sign for a public “latrine” until I came to China. Photo by author

At least you know what this one is! This amenity was in Little Venice, Zhujiajiao, although apart from the canals, it was nothing like Venice.

Complimentary wet wipes on my flight Shanghai to Beijing Photo by author

“Welcome to take our flight” is quite good. Maybe just lose the “take”. Less is more. But “distinct?” I don’t understand what that signifies. Do you?

This sign at the Great Wall of China amused us. Run? We could barely climb the steps - they were so high. And who or what were we going to chase? Marauding Mongols or runaway rabbits?

A small section of the Great Wall Photo by author

Kenny Minker finds some humour in signs too.

When Signs Lie: Dark Humor and Satirical Artwork on the Road

When the background shifts, a sign’s meaning may change

medium.com

And Erie Astin finds some interesting and historical signs in Dublin.

The Signs of Dublin

My A-Z of favorite travel destinations: D

medium.com