Clueless in translation

I spotted this sign in the toilet at a coffee shop in Singapore. While I understood what the Chinese text was trying to say, I was baffled at what the English text was supposed to mean. Another case of "lost in translation". Maybe even "clueless in translation".

Let's first dissect the Chinese text 来也匆匆，去也冲冲.

This is a play of two words having similar sounds. (I cannot say the sounds are the same because the Hanyu Pinyin for 匆匆 is cong1 cong1, while the Hanyu Pinyin for 冲冲 is chong1 chong1. Sounds similar to the untrained ear, but very different when you have to input the characters in a text.) The first part of the sentence 来也匆匆 means "enter hurriedly". The second part of the sentence 去也冲冲 means "flush (the toilet) when you leave". Given that this is a sign in a toilet, it makes perfect sense. A simple reminder to keep the toilet clean for the next user.

But what does "easy come, easy go" have to do with toilet cleanliness? Usually, this phrase is used to describe the difficulty in saving money. This is definitely the wrong context for this phrase. Someone who cannot read Chinese would look at this phrase and wonder what the management is trying to tell him/her. The picture tells me the phrase has something to do with using the toilet. But what am I supposed to do other than just use it?

Perhaps I am reading too much into a sign.

But aren't signs supposed to tell you something clearly?

A picture paints a thousand words. In this case, I have no idea what the picture or the English words are trying to say.

So much for reminding me to keep the toilet clean.

Lost? Clueless? Yes, that's me right now.

Have fun with languages!

The Le-ers don't even ma-er, or do they?

It

Similar sounds, different meanings

Have you ever gotten two very similar words mixed up, and ended up with an entirely different meaning to your sentence?

Here's an example I saw on someone's PowerPoint presentation on social ills. The presenter wrote "phonography" instead of "pornography".

Phonography is "phonetic representation or spelling".

Pornography is "printed or visual material containing the explicit description or display of sexual organs or activity, intended to stimulate sexual excitement".

Not only are these two words very different in meaning, they are completely unrelated to each other. In the context of social ills, phonography has absolutely no place.

I do not think the presenter knew that he had made a mistake. For that matter, I do not think any of the audience noticed the grave error! Or, if anyone did, perhaps he was too polite to say anything. Whatever the case, a mistake is a mistake.

If in doubt, always check the dictionary. It is far more reliable than auto-correct.

A small error can cost you a lot.

Better to be safe than sorry.