Volunteers pose for a photo at Dawan Ancestral Residence in Pingshan District on May 26.

Maluan Subdistrict in Pingshan District held the “Discover, Correct, Share” event aimed at rectifying foreign-language public signs May 26. Chinese and expat volunteers, distinguished by their iconic red vests, meticulously scrutinized English-language signs at noteworthy locations such as the Dawan Ancestral Residence, Pingshan Guest House, Gemdale School, the Maluan Subdistrict Management and Service Center for Expats, among others.

Functioning akin to detectives, these volunteers adeptly identified minor inaccuracies in public signs, ranging from spelling and grammar errors to the precision and authenticity of translations. Maluan Subdistrict has documented these errors and plans to collaborate with relevant departments responsible for the signs to effect corrections.

Dr. Mrutyunjay Maharana gives his recommendations for improving English public signs at Dawan Ancestral Residence.

Dr. Mrutyunjay Maharana, an Indian principal engineer and expert working at BYD in Pingshan, offered recommendations for improving various English public signs. He lauded the ‘Inquiry System of Chinese-English Public Signs’ WeChat miniprogram for its utility in aiding the public to access accurate translations of signs in government buildings, parks, international sectors, and other locales. This platform also empowers users to snap photos of misinterpreted or inadequately translated signs for subsequent rectification.

Expressing his enthusiasm as a volunteer, Dr. Maharana highlighted how the initiative not only bolstered Maluan Subdistrict’s international image but also engendered a sense of welcoming familiarity for foreigners through precise English translations. He expressed hope for increased participation from international volunteers in forthcoming endeavors.

Dr. Mrutyunjay Maharana scrutinizes a public sign.

Zhang Zichen, a Grade 6 student and volunteer, proposed that fellow students dedicate greater attention to bilingual public signs in their surroundings. She advocated for recording errors, verifying accurate translations, and incorporating English practice into their daily routines to collectively nurture and fortify the international linguistic ambiance within their community.

Volunteers pose for a photo at Maluan Subdistrict Management and Service Center for Expats.