Thursday, December 10, 2009

Model heroes wanted

There's a 80 rmb entrance for visiting the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing. I tried to explain to the woman behind the counter that I was a true hero (or at least a model worker) but she refused to believe me. I wonder what a hero certificate looks like:


Oh well, hero or not, at least they could not stop us from using THE toilet:


13 comments:

Ghost said...

thats hilarious! A hero certificate..!

马麟 said...

Oh my, you just found another Chinglish example. 'Model' here means 模范。I guess the best translation should be "the good person you should learn from". I didn't find a proper word in English.
These people are elected every year, and they do have certificates.

Martin said...

I was going to apply for the Model of Morality...but then I realized that it would be a hard sell for me.

Tarja said...

Oh, now we really have to go to Nanjing! Wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to use The Toilet... =)

But instead this weekend we are going to Jiuzhaigou Sichuan, have your heard of that place? Should be really beautifull.

Anonymous said...

Jonna,as 马麟 said, the "model"here is not referring to a model worker but "模范" in Chinese who are recognized by governmental authority for their outstanding performance in their work.

Jonna Wibelius said...

x -it made me laugh!

马麟 & anonymous -I realized it was a translation blib... oh well, still won't stop me from thinking it was a bit funny.

Martin -Hehe, just like me trying to apply for the hero certificate.

Tarja -no way, u r going to JiuZhaiGou?!?!? Ah, that's one of my China dream destinations! I wanna know everything, u have to drop by to give a report or shoot me an email. Are u just going there for the wknd? how much were the flight tickets if u dont mind me asking?

Lauren said...

:-)

I remember on Yellow Mountain there was a sign that said 'Congratulations on your children growing taller!'

Brad Farless said...

That's peculiar. I can think of city level awards and recognitions in the US, but they don't carry any benefits other than to say you got one.

Jonna Wibelius said...

Lauren -hahhahha! Thanks for sharing!!!

Brad -yeah it is kind of peculiar. But of course it is nice that "hero" gestures are rewarded. I wonder what one needs to do in order to get the certificate? I have a feeling that tree hugging will not cut it... ;)

Anonymous said...

I think it means chinese "劳模" or "先进工作者". Yes, it is quite confusing if it is translated into "model". My father was there last year, probably they think he is over 70, they let him in for free without asking, and my father refused because he is 69.

Wei

K said...

I went on National Day 2008, and I could have sworn there were no discounts (we all brought our chinese student cards). Is this new, or was it a holidays-are-expensive thing?

Anonymous said...

Model hero. You know that's communism crap, don't you?

Joyce Lau said...

I just read this from Reuters and thought of this post.
"A Chinese police captain who named his subordinate a ‘‘martyr’’ after he died from a drinking binge has been suspended, the Shenzhen Public Security Authority said on Tuesday."
Seems like the standards of being named a model government official are not very high!
Have a wonderful Christmas back home.