China Identifies 2,753 Menu Items For Name Changes
Travel Blog • Michael Yessis • 09.05.07 | 10:32 AM ET
The Chinese government advanced its campaign to rid the country of “Chinglish” in advance of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, highlighting 2,753 dishes and drinks—including the ever-popular “burnt lion’s head”—as “confusing, even ridiculous [English] translations.” The Chinglish Files has a link to the official government report.
The targeted translations, according to a BBC story, “either scare or embarrass foreign customers and may cause misunderstanding of China’s diet habits.” More often, they just provide laughs. For those who enjoy the unintentional comedy, don’t worry. As we’ve posted, it’s unlikely Chinglish will be eradicated completely. And as of last month, The Chinglish Files is now in paperback.
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* Sign Police Hit Beijing Streets; Chinglish Editor Renews Call to Arms