Shock English

Important translations that are just WRONG. Why not let me help me improve your English communications?

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No dash on to a Train

Posted on July 3rd, 2008

No dash on to a TrainThis photo comes from the platform of the Seaside Line in Yokohama which I used last weekend to go to the Yokohama Bayside Marina to go sailing with a friend of mine. (It also goes to Hakkeijima Sea Paradise.

I find this sign a bit striking because it is located so close to Tokyo. Usually the more into the countryside one goes, the worse the English becomes, but in this case it’s near Tokyo and Yokohama.

The mistakes here of course are the use of the indefinite article (”a”) instead of the definite article (”the”), the capitalization of “Train”, and the space between “on to” - all admittedly difficult nuances since they don’t exist in Japanese. All the more reason to ask a native speaker such as myself to proofread your important English translation that will be seen by thousands of people!

Shock English: No dash on to a Train
Correct English: Don’t run onto the train; Don’t dash onto the train

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Filed under Public Spaces, Trains and Mass Transit |

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