A set of fixed English translations for Chinese menus is set to be published before the Spring Festival in February, the Beijing Municipal Tourism Bureau said.

The final draft, which has been partially revised after soliciting opinions from netizens and language experts, has been sent to the printers and would soon be recommended to restaurants across the country for their bilingual menus, said an official with the bureau, who declined to give his name.

"The proper English translations will not only provide convenience for  foreigners coming to Beijing for the Olympics, but it will also improve the English of Chinese people," said the official.

As part of its preparations for the Olympic Games next year, when at least 500,000 foreigners are expected to visit, the Beijing municipal government have been working on erasing the often bizarre English translations for Chinese dishes, backed by a committee of 20 language experts and catering service managers.

The municipal government also plans to launch a training program to equip waiters and waitresses with knowledge of the dish names in case customers demand explanations.

Beijing Tourism Bureau published a list of translations for 2,753 dishes and drinks online in August, seeking feedback.

Translators have divided the dish names into four categories: ingredients, cooking method, taste, name of a person or a place.

Misleading, and often

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