China Seeks To Ban “Chinglish.” What Would Happen Si Esto Pasa With Spanglish?

Shanghai is attempting to do away with “Chinglish,” or the often extremely literal mistranslation of Chinese words and phrases into English. The city, which is revamping its image in preparation for the World Expo Fair in 2010, has recruited student volunteers to go around town checking the English on various signs. Translations that are deemed off will be reported to the government, which will then be in charge of finding the people responsible for the initial mistranslation and having it fixed. (We believe the number of steps involved in this endeavor ensure that the Chinglish signs - which are beloved by tourists - are likely not going anywhere anytime soon.)

Could you imagine what would happen if, say, Mexico or the U.S. decided to do away with Spanglish? Can you imagine the tears? The shaking? The loss of will to go on? Can you visualize a world without “plis and sank you?” In an effort to record Spanglish for prosperity should it ever be outlawed my mean, crotchety old bureaucrats, here are some of our favorite Spanglish words and phrases:

• “Drink a chair!” = Toma una silla / take a seat.
• “What a casualty!” = Que casualidad / what a coincidence. 
• “Yonque” = Junkyard.
• “Puchar” = To push.
• “Troca” = Pick up truck.

What are some of your favorite examples of Spanglish?

Click Below for More Signs in Chinglish

Shanghai seeks end to ‘Chinglish’ [BBC]