This column focuses on Chinglish mistakes in our daily life. If you have any experiences to share, send them to Wang Yu at wangyu2008@ynet.com.
By Wang Yu
To live in a so-called international Chinese city like Beijing, you need to learn to speak at least some English, especially if you are a member of the local art or music circle. There are always foreigners around you, some of them journalists, who might quiz you about these aspects of Chinese culture.
However, it is not a pleasant experience listening to most local artists rattle off in English – or more appropriately, Chinglish.One night this summer when the warm air had just been cooled by heavy rain, Mandy Wang, a friend who works as a music editor, invited me to watch some local bands perform at a reputable live music venue.
Within the area was a quiet inexpensive restaurant that makes excellent roast fish, so another friend called Liu and I decided to stop by before the show. The restaurant was full when we got there and we were told we had to wait half an hour for a table. We decided to wait at the music venue’s bar. “Ah ... it’s not only about our music, you know, in China, people don’t understand us, they are si ...” I overheard the conversation going on behind us the moment we sat down at the bar. The speaker was one of the most popular rockers in Beijing. He was being interviewed in English by a foreign reporter.
“We are a and, do England rock music. I like the English life in the last century, it’s free and good ... In China, you don’t have money to make music,” said the guy, whose name will be withheld for the sake of his reputatio“D you mean musicians don’t need money?” the journalist said“No, we are poor,” he clarified“Did he just say ‘England rock’? Oh, that guy’s English is really good,” Mandy Wang, who decided to join Liu and me, said low voice.
