BEIJING, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- As the world battles swine flu, teachers from EF English First ( http://www.ef.com.cn ) will be engaged in fighting against incorrect, messy English in the nation's capital to celebrate Teacher's Day. Tasked by the Beijing Speaks Foreign Language Office (BSFLO)( http://www.bjenglish.com.cn ) to standardize English and translate Chinese signage in major tourist areas around the city, EF's English Clean Up Crew will start their English patrol this month in Beijing's popular shopping and nightlife area of Sanlitun.
(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2009/09/08/20090908614153.jpg )
With tourism at an almost record high in Beijing, proper English signage has become a priority. Mass action has already been taken to standardize public signage with good results thus far. But this big project still requires improvement, especially in comparison with other major world cities. To concentrate strength on this project, BSFLO and EF have teamed up to utilize EF's preponderant resources in English training. "Standardized signage is the symbolization of civilization. Our mission with EF is to create a better international language environment so as to enhance the internationalization of our capital Beijing," Mrs. Zhang, the associate director of Beijing Foreign Affairs Office stated.
As the Official Language Training Services Supplier of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, EF will correct the English public signs in line with standards set by the Beijing Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, as well as also make additional signage improvements.
"It is an honor for us to help Beijing to standardize English signage. We are dispatching our best teachers, staff, and volunteers to help in this effort, and we will take pride that some of the most popular areas of Beijing will be touched by EF in a meaningful way," said Bill Fisher, CEO of EF China.
This campaign is estimated to last to the end of this year, and will focus on Sanlitun, Financial Street, WangFuJing Street and the Olympic Park areas. EF teachers will mainly focus on following three aspects: warning signage like "No Drugs" and "Mind Your Head," etc., in areas where this signage is needed; correcting mistranslations such as "Loose bones" and "Step Back" on body massage parlours, which tend to be ambiguous and considered "Chinglish"; improper use like "Pleasantry Surprise Groping," "Large Charge of Capturing" which could also cause misunderstanding.
About EF
Appointed by the Beijing Organization Committee of the Olympic Games as the Official Language Training Supplier for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, EF was established in 1965. English First aims to "break the barriers in language, culture and geography". Upon its foundation, EF has been playing a leading role in the English training industry. As of today, EF has grown into the world's leading private education organization, offering language training, educational travel, academic degrees, cultural exchange programs for adults, children and corporations around the world. With over 15 million students in over 400 schools, covering more than 50 countries, EF has nearly 130 schools across more than 50 Chinese cities, including the largest English school in Shanghai (awarded an Asian design gold medal).
For more information about EF, please visit http://www.ef.com.cn .
