Wrongly translated or bizarre English for signs and street names and places has become a chronic embarrassment to Shenzheners who are proud of the city's rising international profile.

The Shenzhen Daily is now launching a new column, "Spot the Errors," to identify those public signs, as well as names of streets and places, where English needs a little correction. These errors and inconsistencies will also be reported to government departments charged with the task of clearing up the mess.

The problem, which the newspaper has reported on several occasions over the past two years, has become part of the city government's recent agenda. At a meeting with residents last month, Mayor Xu Zongheng accepted a suggestion by citizen Chang Xiao and ordered a sweeping campaign to correct embarrassing English on public signs.

The municipal government's foreign affairs office, the city's translators association and the Shenzhen Daily, the only English-language daily newspaper in South China, have been asked to standardize the use of English in public places.

The Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, the city's leading newspaper, has also run a series of stories on the issue, which included the opinions of professors and ordinary citizens. The Web site of the Translators Association of Shenzhen has opened a forum for visitors to discuss the issue.

The number of signs needing correction is believed to be huge. Poor or puzzling translations aside, there are many instances of street signs having different English versions on the same road.

Shennan Thoroughfare, the city's most important artery, has different English names on its signs, including "Shen Nan BLVD." and "Shen Nan Da Dao." Similarly, Bao'an Road North has three different versions, namely "Baoan Beilu," "Bao'an Lu (N.)" and "Bao'an Road (N.)."

Some translation errors can even confuse local people or foreigners who have been in the city for a long time. "Fuhua Ei Lu" is on the sign for First Fuhua Road.

Even signs at brand-new Shenzhen Metro stations can make residents flush. Exit signs at many stations are labeled "gangway." Foreign passengers are also confused with the Metro's "Adding Value Machine," where they can top up their IC cards.

Similar problems occur in companies, schools and other institutions. The production section of a printing company has a sign hanging outside its door: "Produce the Section."

Poor translations and the lack of translation standards are regarded as the root of the problem. Many signs were erected without the help of professionals qualified to ensure correct English.

Some officials at the traffic police bureau have said the city's booming urban construction is partly to blame for the mess. New roads and streets have been built so quickly that signs become unsuitable a few years later.

Different rules on English translations by different government departments have also worsened the problem. The municipal civil affairs bureau insists all English street names should be spelt out in pinyin, like Huochezhan for the railway station, while the Ministry of Public Security has ruled that the names should be translated in a way that all foreigners can understand.

Readers, whether you are Chinese or foreigners, are invited to find the errors and report them to us. Please send e-mails to wkang@szszd.com.cn or fax to 8390-6475. Please include the exact location of the sign in your message, preferably with a photograph.

Editor: Donald