Beijing authorities to fix poorly translated English signs

It's a real sign of the times

In a bid to 'improve the international language environment' of Beijing, local authorities are planning to correct poorly translated English on posters and signs.

According to Beijing's foreign affairs office, this campaign is set to be carried out mainly in the capital's Central Business District (CBD) and Jinrongjie, where a large number of multinational corporations and research institutions are based.

Volunteers have been enlisted to spot mistranslations and incorrect signage, while media companies and the general public are also encouraged to get involved.

Beijing's plan to improve English signage reflects China's more recent recognition of globalisation and a broader push to develop a national educational framework for teaching English. For years, China has sought to fix poorly translated signage, with a particularly rigorous crackdown after Beijing won its bid to host the 2008 Summer Olympics. However, with plenty of high-profile events – such as the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games – on the horizon, it seems there's still plenty of work to do.

To watch a hilariously entertaining version of Star Wars redubbed into Chinglish, hit 'Read more'.

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