AFP profiles Oliver Radtke, a self-proclaimed Chinglish enthusiast based in Beijing:

“There is a lot in Chinglish that is so much more than just incompetent English or incorrect English,” said the 32-year-old Radtke, who focuses on written examples of the lingo on signboards, menu cards and shop fronts.

“A lot of the Chinglish signs carry a certain Chinese notion in them which enriches the English language and makes English more Chinese in the sense that there is a certain Chinese flavour, a certain Chinese way of thinking.”

The view held by many — not least by the Chinese authorities — is that Chinglish is an embarrassment that must be wiped out at all costs, but Radtke disagrees, saying the “language” should be preserved.

Baoru of CNReviews writes a post entitled “Why Chinglish Deserves A Spot In The Hall Of Fusion Languages.” In it, she poses an interesting question: can Chinglish be viable?

I find Radtke’s take logical when I think of other famous English fusion languages. Like Singlish. Technically, it is not straight and “ideal” usage of English. Some terms are derived then mixed.

[…] “Make sure ID got chop lor!” which means “Make sure your ID is stamped.”

But then Singlish is made much more famous through Singapore’s positive tourism drive making Singlish an attraction to watch out for.

Can Chinglish achieve the same status? Or will it remain as a source of China jokes by foreigners?

Follow Oliver Radtke at his blog, “The Chinglish Files.”