Xiamen issues guidelines for translation of public signs

Xiamen in East China's Fujian province recently issued the 11th to 14th parts of the Guidelines for English Translation of Public Signs. To date, all the guidelines have been published and implemented.

Officials said that some incorrect English translation of public signs used to bring inconvenience to foreigners working, living, studying or traveling in Xiamen, affecting the city's image and international exchanges.

To solve the problem, the city's administration for market regulation and foreign affairs office initiated the program of standardizing the English translation of public signs. In addition, the city's association of translators set up a translation commission comprising experts from the Translators Association of China, the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, as well as the foreign language schools of many universities in Xiamen.

The guidelines include definitions of relevant terms, as well as the principles, methods, and requirements of English translation. The public signs that are translated are comprised of road signs, and those involving organizational structure and job titles, tourist attractions, culture and entertainment, sports and stadiums, science, technology and education, health and medicine, post and telecommunications, accommodation and catering, commerce and finance, justice system, port facilities, as well as Minnan culture.

In addition, the city's association of translators also organized a panel of experts to examine and rectify public signs across the city, as well as the English translation of newly built major projects in Xiamen.