The Monterey Park City Council outside Los Angeles is moving towards a requirement that would essentially ban signs that are only in Chinese, according to KABC.
The city is 67 percent Asian and many of the signs outside businesses which cater to Chinese speaking customers are only in Chinese.
Initial approval has been given to a sign ordinance that would require those signs to also be in English.
The city’s police and fire chiefs say requiring signs also to be posted in English would help emergency crews which may not be bilingual to get to the scene faster.
Some of the businesses are opposing the ordinance, but many Asian Americans say the idea is a good one.
“I think you’re just helping expand your business,” said Rosemead resident Joanna Heng. “Because of course you want to bring in more customers, and people can’t read your name or know what kind of food you’re serving.”
A final vote is scheduled for August 7th.
From: Sue D. Nim via Facebook RE: Chinese only signs likely to be banned in Monterey Park: Being essentially illiterate in Chinese, the bilingual signs would be helpful.
From: Corky Lee via Facebook: RE: Chinese-only signs to be banned in Monterey Park: The same was done in KA communities when street signs were changed in Philly & Palisades Park, NJ in the 90's.
From Tyrone Liu via Facebook RE: Chinese-only signs to be banned in Monterey Park: Tyrone Liu Y'all do know that often times the "Chinese" name for a business…especially restaurants…..has almost no resemblance in meaning/translation/or sound to whatever "English" name might be on its primary signage, or how it is registered with gov't authorities…..right??
Personally, I don't see it as a problem of feeling "welcome/unwelcome". I live close-by to some primarily Hispanic neighborhoods and their Spanish signs don't bother or hinder me from going in to them. I try to take the time to learn what the names/words might mean. I also take my daughter so that she can "learn" too. At worst, I just poke my head in and can usually figure out what they are selling. It's NOT that hard. I have rudimentary Spanish skills from school, and even if the shopkeepers don't speak much English, we can usually sort of figure out what I'm trying to buy and what they're trying to sell.
If you want to feel neighborly, BE A NEIGHBOR. If you want to feel excluded, then you are only excluding yourself. Most people are in business to make money. Smart ones really don't care if you are different from them and will happily sell you something. Usually the ones that have a total lack of English signs or menus really are not looking or catering to English-only customers anyway…..and they are probably selling things that English-only customers mostly are not interested in. That doesn't mean they are being unfriendly or don't want your business. If you are interested, stop in, get to know the shopkeepers, be friendly, make an effort….they probably will too. I can speak Mandarin Chinese, but I grewup here in the USA in places and during a time when I was not formally taught how to read or write Chinese. I am not at that much of an advantage compared to English-only speakers because not all Chinese speak Mandarin well (there are MANY regional dialects)…..so 75% of the time, I have to try and find common ground in order to communicate with them just like English-only patrons. I can either learn their ways/language, or they can learn mine/others. And you know what, more of them can actually speak and understand basic English than you think. A small handful that immigrated to the USA via Latin America can even speak Spanish too. Open up your own horizons.
As far as "location" goes for emergency services, yes it can be a hindrance, but you know what, even signs in English don't always help either.
Now…..LIMITING the number of unsightly signs and their sizes/locations etc, might be more beneficial. LOL.
Or perhaps, adopt a regulation that stipulates EXACT requirements for ADDRESS/LOCATION/ENGLISH NAME signage. For example….
Neon/reflective yellow background with contrasting letters in easy to read font that is posted and visible from 100ft away at the top-center exterior of the business facing the primary street….or something like that.
YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8-D
5 hours ago · Edited · 4
RE: Chinese signs may be banned in Monterey Park: “The city’s police and fire chiefs say requiring signs also to be posted in English would help emergency crews which may not be bilingual to get to the scene faster.”
Wow, really? You mean emergency crews can’t figure out the location by the ADDRESS like they do for residences? Since this is such a problem, Maybe they should require all RESIDENCES put up signs with each resident’s ENGLISH NAMES? Not a very good line of logic when you think it through, is it?
Although i’m Chinese American, I don’t read enough Chinese to read Chinese signs. I don’t understand those who complain that they people don’t feel welcome in those stores…. So what? If you can’t speak Chinese, you are not the target audience for the business. Get over it. Not every business needs to cater to every person. It’s free enterprise. If you want to expore a different culture, you will have to live with feeling a bit uncomfortable. If the store wants English speakers as part of its customer base, it will put English in its signs.
I wonder, will this new law require all local “El Pollo Loco” stores to revamp it’s signs to be bilingual and add “The Crazy Chicken”?