English relegated at China biz expo

English relegated at China biz expo

"What is being displayed here?"

"Sorry, I don't know," came the polite answer from an
exhibition hall staff member at the China-ASEAN Expo. Of course,
she knew what was being asked, the problem was that she could not
explain it in English.

An inability to communicate in any Chinese language has been a
barrier to the full enjoyment for some participants of this
otherwise great international exhibition. Held for the second
time in Nanning from Oct. 19 to Oct. 22, the exhibition offered
state-of-the-art products from 11 countries. Nearly 2,000
participants took part in the expo, held simultaneously with the
China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS).

The small episode was but a warning that the Chinese language
is going to play a more important part as the 11 countries march
together toward a free trade area not later than in 2010.

A casual observation of the exhibition halls revealed that
Chinese language was predominant. It was on printed brochures,
fliers, audio-visual screens, public announcements and on display
panels. English language explanations, if any, were few. For non-
Chinese speakers, there was not much of a way of knowing what was
going on at any given time.

In business seminars and sessions, the pattern remained the
same. Printed materials about the sessions were almost
exclusively in Chinese. The impromptu English translation, if
any, was often not up to standard.

As the expo closed at 5 p.m., a number of visitors were almost
trapped inside as they could not understand the public
announcement saying that everybody should move out.

When participants were lost, it was difficult to find someone
who could understand English.

The good thing was that everybody, everywhere seemed so
courteous and sincere and was willing to help in any way at any
time. (JP/Harry Bhaskara)