The English Writing Craze on Clothing in China
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There are big differences in the structures of English and Chinese languages. Once you get the hang of Chinese, you can usually make up new words and phrases that make sense, but not always. Similarly, when Chinese translate their thoughts into English, it may not be quite right. We all, foreigners and Chinese, alike, call both Chinglish.
You probably already are familiar with one expression: "long time no see" is just a direct translation of the Chinese, "hao jiu bu jian". A real status symbol among many is a shirt or other clothing with English writing on it. Since not everyone can read it, including the person wearing it, much of it is nonsense and, then, there is misspelling. For example, a friend had a pair of flip-flops for wearing around the house that said "hore shoes" instead of "house slippers". Ayu's most recent T-shirt acquisition says, "Wonderful Special The Music." I once saw a 13 year of girl and her family, and her shirt said "F____ Me" on it, and I am sure neither her nor her parents knew what it meant. Another T-shirt in the house says: "The INGNEDIELY Strange Kitties bars ker hild she Jsnt it and self idea".
Do not take offense, we are not making fun but only showing how voracious the Chinese are for things Western, although both Ayu and I laugh at the Chinese expressions that I come up with by using known word structure from one situation and trying to apply it to another.
We also just put up a lens on squidoo.com about traveling, in China.
http://www.squidoo.com/Traveling-in-China
There are big differences in the structures of English and Chinese languages. Once you get the hang of Chinese, you can usually make up new words and phrases that make sense, but not always. Similarly, when Chinese translate their thoughts into English, it may not be quite right. We all, foreigners and Chinese, alike, call both Chinglish.
You probably already are familiar with one expression: "long time no see" is just a direct translation of the Chinese, "hao jiu bu jian". A real status symbol among many is a shirt or other clothing with English writing on it. Since not everyone can read it, including the person wearing it, much of it is nonsense and, then, there is misspelling. For example, a friend had a pair of flip-flops for wearing around the house that said "hore shoes" instead of "house slippers". Ayu's most recent T-shirt acquisition says, "Wonderful Special The Music." I once saw a 13 year of girl and her family, and her shirt said "F____ Me" on it, and I am sure neither her nor her parents knew what it meant. Another T-shirt in the house says: "The INGNEDIELY Strange Kitties bars ker hild she Jsnt it and self idea".
Do not take offense, we are not making fun but only showing how voracious the Chinese are for things Western, although both Ayu and I laugh at the Chinese expressions that I come up with by using known word structure from one situation and trying to apply it to another.
We also just put up a lens on squidoo.com about traveling, in China.
http://www.squidoo.com/Traveling-in-China



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