Olympic Security English
March 29, 2007 1:33 pmI recently came across a book with the intriguing title “Olympic Security English.†With chapters ranging from “Giving Directions†to “Dealing with Brawls†this text covers all the bases. It is good to know the police will be prepared in 2008. Here is an excerpt:
At the Lost and Found Office:
Foreigner: Hello, officer.
Police: Hello, sir!
F: I’m Joe Kennedy. I’ve been notified to come here for my lost wallet.
P: Please give me the Report on Lost Article.
F: Okay. Here you are.
P: To make sure, will you tell me what’s in the wallet?
F: It’s black and rectangular.
P: What’s in it?
F: 300 US dollars, 3000 yuan, 2 telephone cards, and 3 credit cards.
P: Anything else?
F: And a photo of my wife and daughter.
P: Absolutely right! Here is your wallet. Please sign your name on the Report on Lost Article.
F: All right. It’s really incredible! A lost wallet can be recovered! Only in Beijing can this be possible!
P: The taxi driver found it and sent it here.
F: Thank you very much. I really appreciate your efforts.
While I am certainly happy for Mr. Kennedy, I have some serious doubts as to the veracity of this exchange. Only in Beijing indeed.
For more on the book check out: Book will help police converse with English speakers and Beijing police learning ‘Olympic Security English’.
One Response to “Olympic Security English”
haha..yeah..I liked that line, “only in Beijing…” When I was in college, a grad student, who had spent many years in Japan, told me that he used to leave his wallet and keys in his bike basket in Tokyo and they were never disturbed…One thing I can say about Japan is that I never feel like my security or possessions are in danger. Still, I wouldn’t push my luck.
Care to comment?