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May 26, 2013, 01:29:00 AM
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Author Topic: Chinese restaurant menu - translated  (Read 344 times)
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xwarrior
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« on: March 25, 2012, 03:33:13 AM »

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Say good-bye to "Chinglish" from Beijing menus

After a city-wide effort to scrub too-literal English translations from street signs ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing authorities are launching yet another linguistic rectification campaign - this time, targeting restaurant menus.

I had a look at the book and it is good value - because it is free.

It is a bit premature to farewell Chinglish.

A group of top Chinese linguists and 'foreign experts' spent years on this project of overcoming 'Chinglish' and came up with:

 " New Zealand Lamp Chops".

The book can be downloaded as a pdf at:

 http://www.bjenglish.com.cn/

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Borkya
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« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2012, 04:33:10 AM »

Because that's what it says in Chinese. The first three characters 新西兰 is New Zealand. The last two lamb chop. Some restaurant must be serving New Zealand Lamb Chops. The item immediately below is simply Lamb Chops with the last two characters.

Or don't they call them Lamb Chops in New Zealand?

Ha ha, i thought the same thing at first, but then i re-read it realizing I missed something.

Just proves the old adage that we don't actually read the words that are printed, but our mind fills in what SHOULD be there.  th_bf
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old34
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« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2012, 05:32:48 AM »

Got me. Previous post deleted.
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Stil
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« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2012, 05:40:59 AM »


Hey old34, this should make you feel better

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MK
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« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2012, 10:42:21 AM »

Please don't take our Chinglish menus away from us!  It's what brings Laowais in China together.
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xwarrior
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« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2012, 03:40:52 PM »

It looks as though this book has led to a dramatic revision of the English language in China. The message has hit home in not only restaurants but also related industries.
 
"Mutton, the tonic in winter, can be cooked in various ways in China. Generally speaking, it is cooked in large pieces in northern provinces, while in the menu of southern Chinese cuisines it is delicately cooked in chops or slices. In the menus of western cuisine, you can easily find the name of a course “Lamp Chop”, and it is said that the number of sheep in New Zealand is four times as many as the total population of the country, really a big fan of Lamp Chop! All in all, no matter what it turns out to be when mutton is plated on the table, it is delicious and nutritious as always."
from http://english.visitbeijing.com.cn/food/oldpeking/n214630712.shtml


"蜜汁烤羊扒 Lamp Chop with Honey Sauce"
from http://eat.omy.sg/index.php?articleID=2005&option=com_article&cid=3&task=detail&type=


波尔多红炖羊小排
Braised baby Lamp-Chops with a savory Red Wine(Bordeaux)
RMB 78/person
from
http://www.gudumami.cn/en/shop/cs07942/menu3.htm



The 'Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Board' is really on a roll now and one can only marvel at its commitment to ensuring Chinese citizens do not embarrass the nation by using Chinglish:

This is a Google translation of their mission statement - it is possible that Google has only a tenuous grasp of the English language, so adding to the fun.  th_m   

Food translation Yuan - Chinese menu English translation" release
Author: Source: Beijing Municipal Foreign Affairs Office Hits: 1151Updated :2012-03-14
    The food culture is an important part of the fine traditional Chinese culture, a long history. Further promote the process of globalization, world travelers, world-renowned Chinese cuisine. Diverse selection of unique techniques, exquisite styling and a rich taste to the world inadvertently pass the profoundness of the Chinese food culture.
    Reform and opening up 30 years, the deepening of exchanges between China and the international community and foreign friends show a growing interest in Chinese food culture. Standardize Chinese food in China's international influence significantly improved the English translation, is conducive to the wide dissemination of Chinese food culture, the promotion of more areas of Chinese culture to the world.
    As the capital and cultural center of China, Beijing successfully held session of the "unique, high-level" Olympic Games, the grand goal of the proposed construction of the world's cities. At this point, the Beijing Municipal Government Foreign Affairs Office led the establishment of the editorial board, "food translation Yuan - Chinese menu in English translation," edited and published a book, help to further enhance the city's external service levels, enhance the capital of international competitiveness and influence.
    Drink German food and IMC fun, hope this book will become foreigners to understand, helper of the tasting Chinese food, Chinese food culture to the world to provide support, provide the impetus for the capital of world cities."

I'll eat to that!  th_ag

It should not take this authority long to come up with a complete revision of the English language. I have no doubt that it will prove beyond doubt that all those English textbooks produced by Chinese professors over the years contain not one error.
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George
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« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2012, 08:19:57 PM »

Ideal for a light meal! th_ag th_ag
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