Feeling Prettyish

I have not had really good Chinglish to share in a while. Here is a shirt that I saw at Tesco:

Just in case you can't read the print, it says:

Prettyish

Get all dressed up

Follow your feelings

A new romance

Gift bag Chinglish

The following was on a gift bag that one of the kids received for their birthday. . .

In case you can't read all of it:

my beautiful girl Mari

One day by coincidence,

he visits a worn down

light house and inside he meets

a beautiful girl, Mari. But in time, this

dreamlike world disappears

and he returns to reality.

Thereafter, he survives

day by day reminiscing

about Mari and that

fantastic world.

Wow, seems kind of forlorn for a gift bag. You know, from something that usually contains items that bring about happy feelings. ;-)

A day for signs

It has been awhile since I have seen some blog-worthy signs of random English translations. When Tom (Andy's dad) was here we went to Taihu (Lake Tai) for his last day. We went to an "agricultural tourism" farm that had the most random assortment of things to do (but that is a whole different posting that I am promising is coming soon). That day we were graced with several great signs. Here are my two favorites.....

The lower half of the sign: "Dimly discernible peak scenic area" What made it even funnier to us was that the day was rather murky and indeed "dimly discernible." I can only imagine what it was like at the top of the hill.

a.k.a.... Petting zoo

GREAT Signage

Last week when Tom and Pat (Andy's dad and friend) were visiting I was in serious tour guide mode (hence the lack of blogging). Hopefully, I will catch up over the next few days.

One of the days we visited one of the many gardens for which Suzhou is famous. There I found some truly wonderful signs. Can I state (again) for the record that I just love the way Chinese use my native language? Each one is so poetic and unique. Let's face it, wouldn't you rather read these than, "Don't litter"? I also have a feeling that a thesaurus was used in at least one of these signs. I mean I had to look up 2 different words when we got home! Enough already, I'll let them speak for themselves.....

This has got to be one of the most beautiful garbage cans I have seen! Definitely adding to the "beautiful environment" -- it was right next to the sign above

More Chinglish

Over the last 2 weeks I have seen several really good signs. Here are my favorite two:

A restaurant named: "Roundous Square" and then underneath it explained that it was "Chinese style fast food"

On the highway, there were signs above each of the lanes describing what kind of traffic could drive there. In the left lane: "Large compact cars" So was our minivan allowed?

In all fairness, I shouldn't poke too much fun. I, the girl who sounds like a 2 year old when I speak Chinese (who am kidding -- 2 year olds speak BETTER). I said something to the driver today and either my usage was wrong or my tones were off because he was laughing so hard (but trying not to). I wonder what I did say? I couldn't ask him because he only speaks Chinese. I asked my tutor today if I would ever be smooth and fluent and said maybe after 2 years. But on the bright side, my comprehension is okay and in time I know that my speaking will get there. 

On the topic of language..... I have discovered that I also really enjoy the way that Chinese who speak English use my native language a bit differently than I would. Tori's ballet teacher said yesterday that she was very "clever" and you know I like how that sounds. Because she is clever! ;-) I also enjoy hearing people call the children "lovely" instead of "beautiful" or "cute". Language definitely keeps my life interesting!

Chinglish

I just love to find signs with random English. My particular favorite are not the total random ones, but the ones that have a meaning that becomes skewed in translation. Here is a great one that I saw this week:

In case you can't see the fine print, it says:

"One Used Table Cloth"

Hmm, do you think they might have meant, "one-use table cloth" (aka "disposable")? Sometimes subtle things make all the difference!

My favorite Chinglish

One of the things that humors me the most in China is English signs that are not quite right. You know, where things are lost in translation. Chinglish is everywhere! From menus to advertisements to billboard signs.... I will try periodically to include some of my favorites. Don't you love the sign at the top? I think that this is a restaurant. This really reminded me of Will Smith in the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" getting upset at the spelling of happyness. So, here are my top ones since arriving (there have been more, but these are the ones that stand out)......

An advertisement for a pizza place: (they were showing the special) "Suprising price!" - this was actually a great way to say this, just not something we would normally say so I enjoyed it.

A brochure for furniture: "Taste life, Enjoy our natural, High official the pinetree family" 

Our beach towels: one says "Peaceful" and the other "Enjoy life"

I just love the way that they communicate English! But when we wear shirts or have things with Chinese characters on them and have no clue what they say, are we any better? I am sure there are times we look equally funny. :-)