Guest ShaQuaNew Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) As a writer, I am beginning to take more notice of signs and how people communicate in China. I tossed around the idea of writing a book during recent weeks, in which I would discuss the many differences between a High Context Culture like China, versus a Low Context Culture like America. Americans use words and phrases to convey thoughts. The better you articulate your thoughts with words, the better you can be understood. China on the other hand, is a High Context Culture, where most everything is implied in the culture, which often leaves those who are unfamiliar with the culture at a real loss for understanding. Most of us have seen funny signs in China, that have been translated into English. The translation process often brings laughs and smiles from Westerners, as many of the cultural aspects of the language simply cannot be translated, or would take several paragraphs to get the real thought across. As I learn more about Chinese culture and language, it is becoming more clear why some of these signs translate the way they do. Chinese people in general, have a hard time being direct in thought and expression compared to their Western counterparts. For us, if we don't want someone to walk on our grass, we may place a sign stating, "Keep Off the Grass." Not so in China. Here are a few examples of signs I've been capturing lately: http://i44.tinypic.com/1r4s3a.jpghttp://i40.tinypic.com/17df9v.jpghttp://i40.tinypic.com/2zfiyc6.jpg As you can see, they have gone to great lengths in the Chinese language to convey that the grass is beautiful, and took a lot of work to make it that way. You should therefore be careful to take care of it also, out of respect. Surely my words are unable to convey the exact meaning and cultural aspect, but suffice it to say, the Chinese are much more poetic in their expressions. Course, you must keep in mind that it's winter now when I took these pictures, so the grass isn't too green right now... Edited February 25, 2009 by ShaQuaNew (see edit history) Link to comment
Guest ShaQuaNew Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) While in Shanghai last week, we visited the Chinese cultural museum, noted for being one of the best in China. I got a real chuckle from the sign on the escalator, informing English readers to watch for the escalator over your head... http://i39.tinypic.com/2190woi.jpg What they are attempting to convey, is to watch your head as you ride up the escalator to avoid hitting it on the low ceiling. Edited February 25, 2009 by ShaQuaNew (see edit history) Link to comment
Guest ShaQuaNew Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Here's another one from a Temple on the North side of Nanjing we recently visited. The temple itself, is built on top of a good-sized hill. There are several walkways around the area, with steep drop-offs. I noticed several signs that stated, "Scarp." I thought, what the hell is Scarp? Then it occurred to me that it may be a root word for escarpment. Wow, never heard that one in the US. Perhaps its a British thing. Nevertheless, here's a shot of one of the signs: http://i42.tinypic.com/29bygp.jpg Link to comment
Corbin Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 We may get straight to the point with many of our signs here in the US, but I do find it funny how we can sure beat around the bush to tell someone something. This I find happens many times when someone doesn't want to hurt another's feelings. This is were getting to the point gets thrown out the window. I would also say that some of the translations get mucked up from our view point because us Americans no longer speak the Kings/Queens English as the British would say. Link to comment
Craig and Mingjun Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 I had to take a picture of this sign on the Changsha waterfront: http://i44.tinypic.com/i28x1d.jpg It was just classic... Link to comment
Guest ShaQuaNew Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 (edited) I had to take a picture of this sign on the Changsha waterfront: It was just classic... That's a good one! Yes, the same sort of deal. I've seen a sign in a hotel across the street from me, with the same wording posted in a nearby restaurant that reads: "Caution, Landslide!" Nothing to fear from overhead, as they mean to say that the floor or ground may be slippery. Edited February 25, 2009 by ShaQuaNew (see edit history) Link to comment
usaRichard Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 http://i350.photobucket.com/albums/q408/ltbadd/IMG_0549.jpgIn a park in Shanghai Link to comment
georgeandli Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 ShaQuaNew, Along those lines, do you notice a "difference" between oral Mandarin and Cantonese? Specifically Cantonese is more "direct" verus Mandarin being more "diplomatic"? Link to comment
Robert S. Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 It is interesting the difference between "Keep Off the Grass" and the ways you are finding in China. The KOG is an order, with an underlying threat, whereas the signs in the pictures are asking for cooperation. Talk about context! Just imagine the whole hidden culture involved in that contrast. Which shows more respect for the individual? Of course what might happen to you for actually walking on the grass is another question. Link to comment
george lee Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 if you like these pictures, then you would like this website, http://www.engrish.com/ it has tons of funny signs from around the globe, taken by tourists and submit it to the website. Link to comment
areynolds Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Haha there a a few that have made me laugh one was a sign for a coffee shop in hubei province It was shaped like starbucks and was the same green but in the center was a silohet of a man in a sombrero and the words along the outside said ......Happy Beaner Coffee... Another ina park in guangzhou was by a pond that said ............"Danger at the Bank Please Keep the Danger away" there was a sign at a warf at the river that was by the fence saying ........ "Be dangerouse outside the fence" Probably my favorite is not really chinglish but a mistake they are in Beijing on the expwy from the airport and for a few kilometers instead of saying "Through way" on the overhead signs they leave out the "r" making it "Though way" i found this funny that it was wrong on such an important sign and only for a few kilometers lol Link to comment
Batmaniac Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Can you explain the poetry in the handicapped stall sign I saw that read "toilet for deformed man" Link to comment
Kevin&Leilei Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 In and around Sanya http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/100_0811_small.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/100_0810_small.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/100_0785_small.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/100_0791_small.jpg Link to comment
Guest ShaQuaNew Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 It is interesting the difference between "Keep Off the Grass" and the ways you are finding in China. The KOG is an order, with an underlying threat, whereas the signs in the pictures are asking for cooperation. Talk about context! Just imagine the whole hidden culture involved in that contrast. Which shows more respect for the individual? Of course what might happen to you for actually walking on the grass is another question. While we were visiting the area, there were at least a half-dozen families having lunch on the grass. No-one bothered them. It does seem however, that most everyone has respect for authority in China. It's interesting to note, that it doesn't seem that this respect is rooted in fear, but is deeply embedded in their culture. Link to comment
Guest ShaQuaNew Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 In and around Sanya http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/100_0811_small.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/100_0810_small.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/100_0785_small.jpg http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/100_0791_small.jpg Great signs! Remember, when you bang your head, do it carefully! Link to comment
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