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)