Chinglish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chinglish, a portmanteau of the words Chinese and English, is an English pseudo-dialect heavily affected by Chinese grammar and accent.
The term "Chinglish", though generally implying poor translation, can also refer specifically to an English-Chinese creole language. This is particularly true in areas that have both English and Chinese as official languages, such as Singapore and Hong Kong. (When specifically discussing the English dialect of Singapore, Singlish may be more appropriate.)
For Chinese-speakers learning English, Chinglish may also be viewed as a pidgin, referring to the type of English that they use while learning which falls somewhere between their native Chinese and fluent English, and is therefore undesirable. The use of the term "Chinglish" can be viewed by learners as either an insult or a joke. Some foreign teachers also refer to a school's inadequate language department as the "Chinglish Dept." [citation needed]
"Chinglish" is also used to describe the broken Chinese interspersed with English used by westernized Chinese (e.g. American-born Chinese) who are no longer fluent in their parents' language and must use English words to supplement their limited Chinese vocabulary.
Notable examples include "no q" as a response to "thank you" (often sinicized in Mandarin Chinese as 三Q - san q) and ok le (了). (The second example is both Chinglish and Singlish.)
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[edit] Chinglish spoken by Chinese learners of English
[edit] Pronunciation
Inaccurate pronunciation or misspellings through typos or poor pronunciation may result in Chinglish.
For example, the word "temple" and "temper" may be confused, as both would be pronounced similarly to "Tem-po" or "Tem-pah". Note that the two English words, when poorly pronounced, may resemble each other to the extent that the two are indistinguishable; this further creates confusion. Sometimes, the poor pronunciation of a single English word can create a Chinglish pronunciation that is almost nothing like the original English word. For example, the company named "Zellers" (part of the Hudson's Bay Company) is often incorrectly pronounced as "Se La".
This is exacerbated in the case of English names, since there are often several names with similar pronunciations. For many Chinese it's difficult to pronounce Alan, Ellen and Aileen differently, as is the case with Shirley, Shelly and Cherry.
In Cantonese pronunciation, some consonants are considered equivalent and interchangeable, such as L and N. The cartoon dog "Snoopy" may become "Sloopy", and the girl's name "Emily" may become "Eminy". Some sounds are missing entirely, leaving words like "very" to be pronounced "wewy". In speech, there is also a tendency to add the sound "see" or "chi" at the end of certain singular letters, such as the letters "S" and "H" ('es-see' and 'ay-chi' respectively).
[edit] Vocabulary
Erroneous vocabulary usage can also result in Chinglish. Examples include "to put in Jingzhang Expressway" instead of "entering Jingzhang Expressway"), and the use of "emergent" to mean "emergency" or "urgent". Many of these errors stem from misuse of, or errors in, dictionaries.[citation needed]
As another example, when something is explained, the English learner may respond with "Oh, I know," while the appropriate response would be "Oh, I see." This is because "知道 zhīdao" is usually translated as know under any circumstances. "When did you first recognize him?" is also sometimes used for "When did you first meet him?" because "认识[認識] rènshi" is usually translated as recognize as in "I recognize him from last week's party."
Some errors occur with the use of see, watch, read and look at which are all one word, “看 kàn", in Chinese and may be confused with each other or just reduced to look. The situation of speak, say and talk is similar. So, someone studying English for several years might still say phrases like "Can you say Chinese?", "I am watching a book", and "Tomorrow I will look a movie."
Another common area of confusion is "turn on/off" versus "open/close". In Chinese, "turn on" (in the sense of operating a switch or a machine) and "open" are rendered by the same character, and so are "turn off" and "close". As a result, many people would say "open the light" when they mean "turn the light on", and "close the computer" when they mean "turn the computer off". Conversely, but less commonly, "close the door" may be rendered as "turn off the door" (See below: #Examples of Chinglish expressions).
Literal pronunciation of words can be common, such as the abbreviation BBQ of barbecue will be spoken "bee-bee-cue".
[edit] Grammar
Chinglish may result from grammatically erroneous usage of English, often resulting from the writer "thinking in Chinese while writing in English" (eg. verbatim word-for-word translation), such as "wipe out six injurious insect" (to wipe out six types of insects, including cockroaches and mosquitoes) and "enjoy stand" (a scenic viewpoint).
Chinglish can result from common patterns of grammatical errors. Examples include:
- excessive use of "the" when not needed (such as "The China is bigger than the France")
- excessive use of verbs with the "-ing" ending.
- excessive use of "to", the use of "to" with modals (e.g. "I must to go")
- confusion of -ed and -ing adjectives (e.g. "I am very boring" vs. "I am very bored"; "I was surprising" vs. "I was surprised")
- the overuse of "very" between "be" and an adjective (reflecting the use of "很" in Chinese)
- the use of "very" to modify verbs (e.g. "I very like it")
- the use of the passive when the active is more appropriate
- wrong usage of verb tenses
Often a Chinese grammatical pattern will be incorporated into English grammar, such as "I tomorrow go to Shanghai" or "I this morning eat breakfast".
Also, there is much confusion regarding countable and non-countable nouns, use of plurals, and the use of "how much", "how many", "a lot of", "much" and "many". This leads to phrases such as "I want a soup" and "There are a lot of shoe."
Another common confusion is with prepositions, such as "on", "in", "at", which in many contexts have the same Chinese translation (zai, meaning "existing at this position"). To an extent, this reflects the idiomatic, rather than logical, way these words are used in English. An example is the often used expression "on Taiwan", as in "Republic of China on Taiwan", whereas native speakers of English are more likely to say "in Taiwan". Similarly, many Chinese students of English are confused by the difference between "at home" and "in the house".
[edit] History
In the early and middle 20th century, Chinglish was known as "pidgin", or "Yangjing Bang English" in Chinese (洋涇濱, or 洋泾浜), which derives from the name of a former creek in Shanghai near the Bund where local workers communicated with English-speaking foreigners in pidgin.
[edit] Chinglish names
Some Chinese pick non-traditional English names, which they do not view as strange because they are not aware of English naming conventions.
Such names are derived from vocabulary they learned in their early English lessons, including names such as Apple, Space, Can, Sea, Mooncake, Magic, Koala, Spider, Thunder, Cloudy, Table, Bird, Eleven, Hifi, H2O, Ice, Puppy, Well and other names of animals, plants, weather phenomena, household appliances, days of the week or months. Some people have even unknowingly chosen swear words as names.
They might choose western products they like as their name, such as Cola or Nautica, or other more advanced words that may be picked for their sound or meaning such as Victory or Nation.
Also, names very easy to pronounce in Chinese, but not common in English, may be chosen, such as the very common name Coco.
Some others choose to use traditional English names but often pronounce them incorrectly or alter their spelling. For example, the name Keith is often spelled as Keiv, Keif, or maybe even the more extreme Cliff.
Some choose names from other countries like Russia or Japan, such as Yuri or Jun. Since most European names are widely used in the English community, those will seem less "odd". However, Japanese names like Jun, which English-speakers pronounce as June, may cause problems in that they are unisex, whereas their English soundalikes are traditionally bound to one sex.
These names may just be viewed as nicknames, and some Chinese may choose more common ones if they have to use their name in business or other more formal occasions.
Most (but not all) Chinese people living in Asia are given only Chinese names at birth, and choose their own English name at some point after they begin learning English (if they ever do). Although rare, some parents may name their child a Chinese phonetic translation of an English name, such as Suzie (Sook-Si in Cantonese), Annie (On-Lei in Cantonese), Annie (An-ni or Anne in Mandarin), Joanne (Jia-An in Mandarin), Ivy (Ai-Li in Mandarin), Eileen (Ai-Lin in Mandarin), Pauline (Poh-Lin in Cantonese), Charlie (Jia-Li in Mandarin), Elaine (Yi-Ling in Mandarin), Maggie (Mei-Qi in Mandarin), Carmen (Kah Man in Cantonese), or Joey (Jo Yee in Cantonese).
[edit] Language humour
Although most Chinglish phrases originated from poor translations, many are created deliberately as language humour. Examples include:
- Open the door see mountain (verbatim translation from a Chinese idiom, meaning "to speak straightforwardly" - 開門見山). Other such example may be "five flowers eight doors" (in Chinese, wǔ huā bā mén - 五花八門), which means "kaleidoscopic", and "people mountain people sea" (in Chinese, rén shan rén hai - 人山人海 ), meaning "a sea of people" or "a huge crowd".
- Un-ding-able (it means "can't stand it". 頂 ding in Cantonese means "to stand against") (in mainland Chinese Internet culture "ding" is used to mean "Strongly agree, most appreciated", as the literal translation is either "support" or "push". In the context of a reply in an Internet forum, the thread will be pushed up towards the top. In this sense, it is similar to the English word "bump" when used in these contexts.) (English: To concur; derivation possibly onomatopoeic.)
- You go see see lah (Go and have a look. - 你去睇睇啦) (please refer to Hong Kong English)
- Good good study, day day up (verbatim translation from a Chinese Communist-era saying by Mao Zedong, meaning "study hard, keep improving" (好好學習﹑天天向上).)
[edit] Regional varieties
[edit] Chinglish in Mainland China
Chinglish is becoming a problem for major cities such as Beijing. In Beijing, in preparation for the 2008 Olympics, the city authorities are clamping down on the usage of Chinglish and replacing it with proper English.[1] Among other examples, signs that previously read: "To take notice of safe: The slippery are very crafty" may read, in proper English, "Caution - slippery path". Other notable examples include: "Oil gate" (accelerator), "confirming distance" (keep space, distance verification), and so on and so forth.
Chinglish can also prove to be a problem for Chinese companies attempting to market products overseas in English-speaking countries. Product labeling is commonly non-sensical or unintentionally humorous, either way not communicating the intended message.
[edit] "Welcome to"
One of the more noticeable cases of Chinglish, especially on mainland China, is the phrase welcome to. This is used as a direct translation in Chinese, "歡迎". It actually means "we invite you to" or "you are welcome to", and is used more as an incentive to the activity introduced or as a form of "thank you". Its use is almost always cordial, inviting, or otherwise positive. A more confusing matter arises with the usage of the phrase welcome again. The phrase is typically displayed in such a manner that it is seen at the end of activities such as bus rides or visits to bookstores, and would be translated as a message of thanks, and that the visitor is welcome back at any time. An equivalent phrase in English-speaking countries might be "Please come again."
Examples:
- Welcome to ride Line 52 Bus = Thank you for riding Bus Line 52.
- Welcome to ride Line 13 again = Thank you for riding Line 13, and we would be pleased to welcome you back aboard at any time.
- Welcome to take my taxi = Thank you for taking my taxi.
- Welcome to listen to my news = Thanks for tuning in!
- Welcome to use ATM service = found very often on ATMs, means thanks for using this ATM.
[edit] Chinglish in Taiwan
Chinglish is also quite prevalent in Taiwan. In Taiwan it is more often known as "台灣英文", literally "Taiwanese English" or mockingly "Formosan English". Characteristics of Taiwanese English include always answering questions in a very regulated style:
"Do you like pizza?" "Yes, I do." "Do you like basketball?" "No, I don't."
There is also a well known parody song of the English alphabet going by the lines of "A B C D, dog bites pig" (with "dog bites pig" in Taiwanese) in Taiwan.
[edit] Chinglish phrases used by native English speakers
Long time no see is often attributed as an example of Chinglish being used by native English speakers. The phrase is said to have originated from 好耐冇見(啦)(Cantonese)/好久不見(了)(Mandarin). These Chinglish phrases were used by dock workers to greet sailors from overseas.
It began in the early 1900s when British and American warships and trading ships often stayed at Chinese docks, and through pidgin communications with dock workers, started to communicate in what is now known as Chinglish. The sailors used the phrase long time no see as a joke when they got home and somehow the phrase became widely used even in English-speaking countries. A more grammatically correct phrase of English should be I haven't seen you for a long time.
While this story is substantiated by other sources [1], this may just be a myth as there are no known records of the origin. The phrase has also been said to originate from trade with American Indians. Similar seemingly grammatically "incorrect" phrases (such as "no pain, no gain") are common and native to English; thus "long time no see" may have been just a coincidence.
[edit] Examples of Chinglish expressions
The following are some instances of Chinglish, along with a description of where they may be found and what they mean when correctly translated into English:
[edit] Incorrect grammar
- To take notice of safe: The slippery are very crafty. (Beijing) = Be careful, slippery slopes.
- To put out Xuanda Expressway. To put in Jingzhang Expressway. (Xuanda Expressway) = Now leaving Xuanda Expressway, now entering Jingzhang Expressway.
- Declimbing path. (Jingzhang Expressway) = Descent.
- Rain or snow day. Bridge, slow-driving. (All expressways in Hebei) = Slow down while driving on bridge in case of rain or snow.
- Oil gate. / Into. (4th Ring Road (Beijing)) = Filling station. / Entrance.
- Smoking is prohibited if you will be fined 50 yuan. = Smoking is prohibited, penalty for violators is 50 yuan.
- If you have trouble ask for the policeman. or If in trouble find police = In case of trouble, dial the police.
- Being urgent call 110 quickly. (Beijing) = In cases of emergency, please call 110. (110 = police phone line in China, equivalent to 911 in the USA, 999 in the UK, 000 in Australia and 112 in the EU.)
- Complaining tel. (投诉电话) = Customer service telephone.
- When you leave car, please turn off door and window, take your valuable object = Be sure to lock your doors and windows and take all valuables with you.
- Don't forget to take your thing. = Don't forget your personal belongings.
- Deformed man toilet. and Crippled restroom. = Public toilet for the disabled.
- Disabled Elevators (残疾人电梯) = Elevator for handicapped people. (CKS International Airport, Taipei)
- When you across hard you can ring TEL (number). = In case of emergency, please call (number).
- Danger! Inhibition astraddle transgress. = Danger! No entry.
- X Bank Shaoguan Cent Company (某银行韶关分公司) = X Bank Shaoguan Subsidiary
- Many Function Hall (多功能室) (Shanghai) - Multifunctional Hall
- We can't stand the sight of mattress fragrant grass = Don't step on the grass
- Convenient = instant noodles (方便面), the Chinese name literally meaning "convenient noodles".
- China smoke wine & A Smoke a Wine(中国烟酒) = Cigarette and wine shops, Beijing
- Shopping's center = Shopping centre entrance in Beijing.
- Speaking cellphone strictly prohibited when thunderstorm - (Beijing) = talking on cellphones not allowed during thunderstorms.
- No entry in peacetime = Emergency exit (Beijing Capital International Airport)
- The too longer, too higher, overweight and the dangerous things are not allowed to be carried = Escalator, Xidan, Beijing
- The older, the children, the deformities, the patients and the pregnant women should take the escalator with his guardian together. = Escalator, Xidan, Beijing
- Question Authority = If you have questions, please ask the official in charge.
- Extraordinary Door (非常门) = Emergency Exit. The confusion may result in a less-common usage of 非常, where it means "Emergency" (as in "非常时期") while normally it means "Extraordinary". A more proper term in Chinese for "Emergency Exit" would be 緊急出口 or 緊急門.
- Protect CircumStance begin with me. = Protecting the environment starts with me; an environmental protection slogan found on litter bins.
- Fuck food = Dried foods/dehydrated food. (sign in a supermarket; the confusion arises because the Simplified Chinese character for dry (干) (Traditional Chinese 乾) also means "to do", which colloquially is used to indicate sexual intercourse.
- Prevent Health Care Section (预防保健科) = Preventative Medicine -- a sign found in a hospital in Wuhan. The error stems from the slippery nature of word forms (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc.) in Chinese grammar.
- New Open = Now Open. This is commonly seen in Taiwan outside newly opened businesses.
[edit] Unusual phrases
- Don't use it while stabilizing - A sign on the toilet door in the Chinese train running between Almaty, in Kazakhstan, to Urumqi, Xinjiang, in China's far West.
- Do not throw urine around - A sign in the male toilets of Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai.
- Engine room is serious place. (机房重地)= Engine room - Caution.
- Visit in civilisation, pay attention to hygiene! (文明参观，注意卫生) This is a message mainly aimed at locals and other people who would otherwise visit somewhere in a sloppy manner.
- To run business (營業中 [lit. "operating"] - commonly seen sign in Mainland China and Taiwan) = Open.
- Drink tea (休息中 [lit. "resting"] - commonly seen sign in Taiwan) = Closed.
- Question Authority - Indicating information centre. Could be mistaken for a call to revolution.
- Fragrant fragile walnut meat biscuits = type of walnut cookie, made by Dali Group
- Burnt meat biscuit (燒肉餅) = type of meat flavoured biscuit (燒 can mean both "burn" and "cook")
- Please Drive Correctly = traffic sign reminding people to obey the traffic rules
- New Shipu Hotel = not a hotel but a restaurant. The confusion probably results from the similarity between the Chinese word for restaurant - fan guan (饭馆), and the word for hotel - fan dian (饭店), both literally meaning "Meal Shop".
- Welcome to our fine restaurant = sign in a hotel room (Note: see note above)
- No gambling promote leagal entertainment = anti-gambling propaganda poster by the Beijing police.
- Small two pots of heads = Erguotou(二锅头), a local spirit, appearing on a menu inside Oriental Plaza, Beijing
- Do not be occupying while stabilizing = Do not use the toilet while the train is stopping at a station. (Train toilets)
- Deep fried ghost and its variant, deep fried devil and oil fried ghost (油炸鬼) : A literal translation of a regional name for the food item more commonly known as Youtiao.
- Xin Zhong Guo Kids Stuff = shop selling commodities for children, Wangfujing, Beijing
[edit] Invented words
- Haw a thick soup = Hawthorn (made by a Chengde company)
- Japanesque Milk Cracker = Japanese was spelled incorrectly as Japanesque.
- The luxuring nothing rail remote controlling stretches out and draws back the door(豪华无线遥控伸缩门) = "De luxe Wireless Remote Controlled Retractable Door"; Label found on an electronic retractable security gate in Beijing.
- No noising = No yelling (Beijing)
- Unrecycling = found on refuse containers that are for trash not able to be recycled.
- Me Nu = Menu
[edit] Notes
[edit] See also
- Pronunciation
- Non-native pronunciations of English
- Engrish
- Hong Kong English
- Hinglish
- Spanglish
- Franglais
- Czenglish
- Star War The Third Gathers: The Backstroke of the West
[edit] External links
- Chinglish.com: Chinese-English e-mail
- View slide show of all images currently tagged "chinglish" in Flickr
- Ever Heard of Chinglish?
- The Chinglish Files
- The Chinglish Files by olr
- "Star War: Episode III, The Backstroke of the West"
- "rahoi.com" Website with Chinglish photos and examples from Mainland China
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Pseudo-dialects |
Engrish | Globish | Greeklish | Franglais | Internet slang | Hip hop slang | Leet | Valspeak |
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Mixed languages |
Chinglish | Denglisch | Finglish | Hinglish | Inglés de escalerilla | Konglish | Llanito | |
