Signs to make you smile

I am extremely grateful that the Chinese government has attempted to translate so many signs around town into English.  It certainly does better than most American cities, where we expect visitors to read English.  Of course, many of the signs here provide direction in what we sometimes refer to as “Chinglish,” a mix of Chinese and English that can lead to some laughs.

In recent years – before the Olympics and then again prior to the opening of the Shanghai Expo – there have been well publicized efforts to clean up some of the messy translations, but many persist.

Here are some examples:

The below sign, at Lamma Temple, is always good for a chuckle.  Remember not to burn your film when you enter! 

This is my daughter’s favorite.  When she saw it she turned to me, laughing, and said, “How are we supposed to retain the green color?!”

There are many signs that warn one to take care during thunderstorms.  This first of these warns visitors not to walk near a tree and the second and third not to talk on the phone during a storm.

Of course, the opposite of recycling must be “unrecycling.”

And then those perennial spelling challenges:

I’m sure these made perfect sense in Chinese:  1) “Please according to Priority for Visitace”; 2) “Fire fighting equipment is strictly prohibited to be diverted”; and 3) “In order to facilitate visitors better, all visitors and touring guide by tour to form please get in from the entrance of Guozijian, thanks for cooperate.”

I especially liked this one at the airport.  The English is fine, but the wording of the last reminder distinctly Chinese.