Notes from China by Language Connect | 06/08/2008

For the Chinese, it couldn't be more auspicious. The Beijing 2008 Olympics will commence on August 8 at 8:08:08pm, a propitious date by traditional reckoning because the number 8 is considered lucky in China's staunchest religion.

The choice to have the games begin on this date and time originates from an ancient belief in numbers. The number 8 is considered favourable in China because when pronounced, 'ba', it rhymes with 'fa' a Southern Chinese word meaning 'prosperity'.

Since the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2008 Summer Olympic Games to Beijing in July 2001, the Chinese government has spent 7 years meticulously preparing for the event in order to highlight China's emergence on the world stage. 10,708 athletes from 205 countries will participate in 28 sports and 302 events. 24 modernist architectural buildings have been constructed by more than a million workers at a cost of L19.7bn. The sheer scale of the Olympics has never been greater and China has worked around the clock to ensure that every element of the Games accommodates the international market.

In an attempt to bridge the culture gap between East and West, Chinese officials launched a fresh drive to cleanse the city of all unintelligible English found on both product advertisements and prominent signs before the commencement of the Games. Linguistic monitors have patrolled subways, parks, tourist sites and hotels in order to expunge the embarrassing English gaffes that have long been a fixture of the city's signage.

	The once known Beijing 'Racist Park,' as shown left, is now more commonly known as the ‘Ethnic Minorities Park'.
	Another recent fix is the 'Dongda Hospital for Anus and Intestine Disease Beijing.' The new sign now states 'Hospital of Proctology'.

Many traditional Chinese dishes have also received a linguistic makeover. The government has published a 170-page compendium listing more than 2,000 proposed translations for local Chinese dishes. These booklets have been distributed to starred Beijing hotels, restaurants and tourist hot-spots across the province to assist restaurants in creating bilingual menus that sound more delectable for the estimated 50,000 visitors arriving in Beijing.

Local delicacies like 'Husband and wife's lung slice' is now known as 'Beef and ox tripe in chilli sauce,' the once 'Chicken which causes you to salivate' is now 'Steamed chicken with chilli sauce,' and the literal translation of 'Bean curd made by pock-marked women' is now named 'Mapo tofu'.

The following national pastimes have also been addressed in China's pursuit to host the best Olympic Games in history:
- Spitting on the streets is now punishable by a L3 fine
- Chinese police are under strict instructions to ensure people line up at bus stops
- On overcrowded subways, the Chinese have been taught the concept of letting people get off the train before getting on
- There are now smoking and non-smoking areas in restaurants that cater for foreigners
- 5,000 public restrooms have been constructed, yet squat toilets are still abundant throughout the capital

The official Olympic slogan for 2008, 'One World One Dream' ( ) is simple in expression yet reflects the notion of peace and harmony for people around the world. The Olympics is China’s chance to showcase the ancient civilisation of Beijing, and their oriental country to the world during a period of immense euphoria.

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Joyce Turton
E: jturton@languageconnect.net