Go to China, learn English
Traveling to China involves learning new words in English, either in the context of things that aren’t common in the U.S., such as haw, or translations that use unfamiliar words. An example of the latter is the Beijing Stomatological Hospital. The Chinese word corresponds to “mouth cavity” (score one point for Chinese), but I always figured it was just some kind of bad translation when I occasionally biked by it (and was too lazy to look up “stomatological.”
Of course, sometimes translators are just mean, as in the case of this magazine, which I purchased a few years ago in Changsha, Hunan province.
The Chinese term corresponds to “literature collection.” Apparently it still exists. Hopefully I won’t be sued for putting the image of their cover online.
And then there are just the unfortunate typos, of which this is my favorite, as it neatly captures everything Americans fear about Chinese cuisine.
(I think it goes without saying that the “p” should be an “n.” The Chinese name for ramen, “convenient noodles” always seemed felicitous).
Thanks to A Canadian in Beijing for teaching me the meaning of the word “stomatological.” Hope she does well on her upcoming exams.