The Editor,
Re: “Chinese sign debate back on table,” News, Oct. 8.
Unless Richmond has magically relocated on the other side of our planet since I last checked, we live in Canada.
Our country’s national languages? Not Chinese.
Signs are a form a communication, and they’re a way to inform people of what’s going on in their neighborhood and their city.
Which is why, when you realize that not every inhabitant of our city is Chinese (and an even higher number of Richmondites that are not literate in Chinese), having signs written entirely in the aforementioned language is quite problematic.
Actually, it’s incredibly problematic.
Sure, it may be a waste of money for restaurants to have menus only in Chinese, but signs for public use are a whole new topic.
When a sign is only in Chinese, it is not only disrespectful to those who speak English, it’s highly confusing and even frustrating for those who have no idea what’s going on.
In fact, it’s an oxymoron.
Semeion Wong
Richmond
