We are in a foreign country, trying to figure out how
to get from place A to place B, buy groceries and generally follow the rules.
You take signage for granted when you are in your home country. It is amazing
how much you rely on signs to help you get through the day and accomplish your
tasks. As we see signs in Chinese, we often think, “If only that was translated
into English, then I would know what was going on and what I’m supposed to do.”
Well it ain’t necessarily so! Often we see a sign with English translation, and
we are left scratching our heads about what it means. Thankfully there is
usually a pictogram or a stick figure that allows us to figure it out, but
sometimes it takes a while. Maybe my next job can be as a "Sign Doctor"!
Here are some of our favorites that we have discovered over
the past year.
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| Quiet Please |
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| So just what CAN I do in this park? |
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Don't you just hate it when an incontinent interior decorator
is at work? |
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The public should always be informed when there
is an execution in progress, don't let it happen to you! |
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| Ancient photography? |
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| Fire hazard not Fireproofing |
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Just what do you do in a SMORKING ROOM? -
You SMORK, of course. |
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One solution to overpopulation is
a suicide assistance station - just put in your
ID card - and POOF, you are gone! |
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| Big Brother is always watching and listening here |
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| In the Xi'an Airport |
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| Come back soon! |
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| Way in |
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| Way Out |
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| These are everywhere because some foreigners are TALL! |
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| You are here |
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NO IRRATIONAL SHOPPING!!
It even is in French - "make reasonable purchases" |
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| Doing something for the good of society is popular. |
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| Not a mistranslation - just a nice sign. |
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| Just what formalities do I have to go through to "live longer"? |
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| Drop or Not. |
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| Park in Hong Kong |
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| Don't even think of parking here! |
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| $1500 fine for feeding pigeons! |
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| Is this a warning for the cars or the pedestrians? |
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| Sign pointing to the Hong Kong Temple |
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| Would you try this? |
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| I asked several Chinese what this sign said - even they had No Clue! |
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Don't use the pot when the train is
in the station. |
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This may be a play on words, but most Chinese are not
fluent enough to make it work. Many Americans don't know the
proper use of "your, you're or their, they're, there"
Let's learn our language! |
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| This one is a quiz. |
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| Hong Kong, not Provo, UT |
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| Oxymoron |
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| No Spitting - A public nuisance in China |
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Litter is everywhere. If you put your trash in a can, then
you are taking away the job of the trash pickerupper. |
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Panic buying is only allowed at certain times.
This is it - GO FOR IT! |
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Don't sit on the escalator - it will
pinch your butt. |
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I never could figure this one out.
"No street vending of tee shirts"
"No use of scarecrows on vending carts"
Suggestions? |
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| To help you find the seaweed in Walmart |
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| I look for these - Western Toilet! |
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First world countries rate their hotels and restaurants-
third world countries rate their toilets. |
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| In a hotel bathroom |
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| This was needed in Egypt recently! |
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| Here are the instructions on a product to remove toxins from your body. Try to figure it out. If you can't, ask me I'll translate. |
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| a 360 degree movie |
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| Lock the viewing platform? |
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| A section in the pharmacy |
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| Good advice |
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| Only in China would you find a Circular Square |
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For you physicists - it is no wonder
China is so behind in science |
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| I just hate the smell of burning film! |
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Since China and Wales are both fond of dragons
they are natural friends |
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| More good advice |
It has been a great adventure!
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| This translator was fluent! |
