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Language Scheme to Help Foreigners

Measures to ensure foreigners in Beijing do not become "lost in translation" are being stepped up, according to China Daily.

The capital city has 650,000 people from overseas working and living in Beijing. The figure is expected to swell even further in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics.

The Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing Municipality on January 11 said it expects English additions to the sign improvement programme to be undertaken on all the major roads within the Sixth Ring Road and shopping malls to be completed by the end of 2006. A sign correction group, supported by a team of linguists, will unveil plans for corrected signs within the Third Ring Road in January. Checking and correction work for the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Ring roads have already started, said Yang Liuyin, director of the office.

By 2008, more Beijing residents than ever will be able to speak English well enough to help foreigners who ask for assistance. By the end of 2005, 29 out of every 100 Beijingers could speak basic English or better, about 4.45 million people, according to the foreign affairs office. The figure is expected to increase to 35 percent by 2008 when the Olympic Games begin, said Yang.