Shanghai's "WCs" will disappear by the end of 2009. But don't
worry about being caught short - it's just that all signs on the
city's 3,781 public toilets will be relabeled to replace the
term.
Chinese media said last week that Beijing will launch a campaign
to use better English on signs for public facilities ahead of the
2008 Olympic Games, especially in public toilets, where "WC" has
been long used.
Many signs using "WC" can still be seen in Shanghai, but
officials have been working since last year to change the
labels.
The Shanghai City Appearance and Environmental Sanitation
Administration Bureau said Sunday that seven downtown districts,
including Huangpu, Jing'an, Luwan and Xuhui, have finished the
task.
In many Western countries the term "WC" is no longer used. "WC,"
or water closet, is a slang term that's not elegant or polite,
earlier reports said.
American David Osterhout, who has been working in Shanghai for a
number of years, said the change will be a success as long as it
can be recognized by most people. But Canadian expat Marc Tessier
said that name changes on toilet signs were not the most important
priority. He said it would be better to put more effort into
improving the conditions of toilets, as a number of public
conveniences in Shanghai still suffer poor sanitary conditions and
many do not provide toilet paper.
In Beijing, changes are also afoot to replace the English
versions on road signs.
"Jie," in pinyin, will be translated into "Ave," "St" and "Rd"
according to a road's width and length. For example, out will go
Dong Chang'an Jie and in will come East Chang'an Avenue.
By the end of last year, more than 6,300 road signs in eight of
the capital city's central districts had been labeled with correct
English.
The move will spread to local scenic spots, shopping malls,
museums, metro lines and buses, hospitals and stadiums by the end
of this year. All restaurants and hotels rated three stars and
above will have to use the standard names once they are issued.
(Shanghai Daily June 11, 2007)