New Public Signage——Care and Concern about Safety and Convenience of Foreign Visitors to China

Dr. David Tool, Beijing International Studies University

It has been my honor and pleasure to work with the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office since November 2001 and later its Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Committee and the Translators’ Association of Shenzhen in correcting signage already in place and developing guidelines for new signage. There is no international requirement, nor even a precedent, for putting this much effort into using English so extensively; yet, the Chinese authorities have adopted this as a “must do”. As a foreigner, I very much appreciate the effort, though I would never say it is something they should or must do. But it shows an attitude of care and concern about the safety and convenience of visitors to China that surpasses the efforts made by any other nation.

Safety warnings and reminders are the most important in relation to issues of high voltage, wet floor dangers, minding hands and arms, etc. -- small details but very significant. Next perhaps, distinct, correct, succinctly worded road signage in terms of directions and place names (even in Pinyin) are extremely helpful. More and more foreigners are driving these years and easily recognizable road signage is essential so that drivers do not have to strain to figure out where they are, when to exit a highway, which way to turn, etc. in situations where their slowness or indecision might cause accidents involving themselves and Chinese too.

Private shop signage and menus where there is no safety issue do not concern me very much. The problem here is one of using some ridiculous wording that makes these establishments and their operators look silly and careless in terms of not getting it right and being efficient.

Of greatest concern to me personally is signage at museums, cultural sites and traditional performing art centers, such as local Chinese opera performance venues, which represent the dignity and respect due the culture. The Chinese in charge in these places have the honor and the obligation to help the foreigners better understand Chinese culture when visiting there and to present all necessary and helpful information in English which include opera libretto, exhibit explanations, and relevant historic data. It is a Chinese person’s solemn, patriotic duty to “get it right” so as to show the foreigners that the Chinese themselves hold respect for the cultural aspects they are charged with preserving and displaying. It is to this effort that I will continue to volunteer to work with my Chinese colleagues and give all my energy as long as I have the honor and pleasure of living in China.