Chinglish
 

Why are we constantly getting "Notice's to Crew" that are written in Chinglish? Do we not have a proof reader that can ensure that what we read is actually in English.:ugh::ugh::ugh:

To be expected when written by "Don't know".

What is even more embarrassing, and unprofessional, IMHO, is when one of the expat native English speaking managers, be they pilot or non-pilot, gets one of the non-English speaking staff to draft a letter or notice, and they then put their signature to said document without proof reading it.

Grammar police alert..
 

firefly, I couldn't agree more. However, when one posts a thread criticising the standard of English used in various communications, it's better to get your own house in order first, otherwise your criticism loses its edge.

should read "Notices to Crew", i.e. the plural of notice.

should read "Do we not have a proof reader who can ensure that...." i.e. the relative pronoun for the proof-reader (or proofreader if you prefer), who is a person rather than a thing.

I noticed this earlier and thought it might help to illustrate the difficulty that some have with the English language:

[Anon]

Now, if you've baited a hook then I'm afraid I've swallowed it, along with the sinker. :)

STP

firefly2008,

Here, have a spare ?, as well. They go nicely with questions. :E

OTB

Uncle Warmtoast's Guide to Good Writing
 

This has been one of my favourite guides since it was posted by Warmtoast on the Military Forum on 4th Feb 2009



1. Each pronoun agrees with their antecedent.
2. Just between you and i case is important.
3. Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
4. Watch out for irregular verbs which have crope into our language.
5. Don’t use no double negatives.
6. When dangling, don’t use participles.
7. Join clauses good, like a conjunction should.
8. Don’t write a run-on sentence you have to punctuate it.
9. In a letter themes reports articles and stuff like that we use commas to keep a string of items apart.
10. Don’t use commas, which aren’t necessary.
11. Its very important that you use apostrophe’s right.
12. Don’t abbrev.
13. Check to see if you have any words out.
14. As far as incomplete constructions, they are wrong.
15. Never use a preposition to end a sentence with.
16. It is important to never ever under any circumstances split an infinitive.
17. The active voice is preferred.
18. Use of the passive voice is to be avoided.
19. Eschew obfuscation.
20. Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.
21. Last but not least, avoid clichés like the plague.

Now if these rules is rigidly enforced, then we am all be able to proper understanding any notices posted!
:confused:

OTB

Good spot. I must have missed that amongst the :ugh::ugh::ugh:

CNN

Brilliant.

STP

I appreciate and think very highly of the English standard used by most locals in CX City. Their "Chinglish" is vastly superior to my Cantonese. As we are working in their country for a Hong Kong registered company, I am grateful that they work so diligently to accommodate us.

CXorcist

Classic use of the 'grocer's apostrophe', firefly. A good read of 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' by Lynne Truss is recommended for you.

Some of the spelling and grammar from our Western managers is just as bad.

Not this time, but it's been done (by a 'manger!')!

STP,

RIGHT ON!

I think using an apostrophe to pluralize words these days is just as prevalent as saying (and even writing), "I was like" instead of "I said."

Our education system is in a sad state.

The fact that you needed to know was not known at the time that the now known need to know was known, therefore those that needed to advise and inform one perhaps felt the information he needed as to whether to inform the highest authority of the known information was not yet known and therefore there was no authority for the authority to be informed because the need to know was not, at that time, known or needed. <Anon> or possibly a new OPS A introduction.

Sounds like Donald Rumsfeld to me!

Chinglish in the Air
 

Sadly, there just aren't enough proofreaders to spread around such a huge landmass.

Perhaps we could parachute drop a few next time we're flying over Chinese territory.

In the meantime, let's revel in this Chinglish feast from a UK-based(?) Chinese Tea blog:

Tea Bling and Chinglish