English is becoming more and more popular in China. It can be used in every field, such as on some signs and restaurant menus. But there are some problems when people use it. Perhaps you've seen the English letters "WC" in your city. They show public toilets. But do you know it is far from native (地道的) English? In fact, foreigners from English-speaking countries seldom use the letters.
Workers in our city are changing "WC" signs all over the city. The government is spending much money changing all the bad English on signs and restaurant menus. Many other places in China are following our steps.
"WC, or water closet, is old-fashioned English. It sounds dirty to me," says Nancy, a young woman from the US. The old sign will become "Gents/Men" and "Ladies/Women". "I see much poor English in everyday life, and not only on signs," she says. "I know what they mean. But they are Chinglish, not real English. For example, when someone says to me 'My hometown is Guizhou Province', I know he or she should say 'My hometown is in Guizhou Province'. Hometown is a smaller place in a province." The common mistakes that Nancy picked up include "Not Entry", which should be "No Entry", "Direction of Airport" should be changed to "To the Airport". And remember to "Keep off the grass", rather than "Care of the green".
The next time you walk on the street or eat in the restaurant, you can go and see if the expressions are right.
