Post by kelvin on Dec 20, 2006 14:37:43 GMT -5
URL: www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061220.wsptbeijing20/EmailBNStory/GlobeSportsOther/home
Report: Beijing to standardize English food names for Olympics
Associated Press
Posted AT 10:13 AM EST ON 20/12/06
Beijing — "Five Sliced Things" and "Pee Soup" will be off the menu under a plan to try to standardize the English names of dishes and drinks sold in Beijing restaurants before the 2008 Olympics, according to a report Wednesday.
Although the quality of English on restaurant menus has improved greatly in recent years, spelling errors and simple descriptions of food instead of names are still common.
The Beijing Daily said the dishes and drinks served in the capital's restaurants will be given "standardized" English names by the Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Program, a government-sponsored organization that promotes English among Beijing residents.
Xinhua News Agency said the organization had finished translating more than 1,000 dishes and drinks so far.
"We welcome public participation and suggestions," the Beijing Daily quoted the organization as saying.
The level of English of Beijing residents and officials has been a concern of the Summer Games organizers. As a result taxi drivers, service workers and police have been taking English and other language courses in preparation for the Olympics, which start in August 2008.
Report: Beijing to standardize English food names for Olympics
Associated Press
Posted AT 10:13 AM EST ON 20/12/06
Beijing — "Five Sliced Things" and "Pee Soup" will be off the menu under a plan to try to standardize the English names of dishes and drinks sold in Beijing restaurants before the 2008 Olympics, according to a report Wednesday.
Although the quality of English on restaurant menus has improved greatly in recent years, spelling errors and simple descriptions of food instead of names are still common.
The Beijing Daily said the dishes and drinks served in the capital's restaurants will be given "standardized" English names by the Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Program, a government-sponsored organization that promotes English among Beijing residents.
Xinhua News Agency said the organization had finished translating more than 1,000 dishes and drinks so far.
"We welcome public participation and suggestions," the Beijing Daily quoted the organization as saying.
The level of English of Beijing residents and officials has been a concern of the Summer Games organizers. As a result taxi drivers, service workers and police have been taking English and other language courses in preparation for the Olympics, which start in August 2008.