hina is such a vast country that the local culture in one place could be hugely different from that of another. But that diversity is little observed by many foreign people. In fact, the local culture of a certain place, like Shanghai, may have much in common with the rest of China, but it may also have many distinctive features.

We are a team of five freshman students from the School of English Studies of Shanghai International Studies University. We want to help foreign people know more about the local culture of Shanghai, our home city. Our approach is to translate and explain selected Shanghai sayings which embody local history, customs, and values.

1.        春寒多雨水。

A cold spring often comes with more rain.

             -----Translated by Chen Nuo

Shanghai has a special geographical location under the influence of both the subtropical monsoon climate and the temperate monsoon climate. In March and April, the active air currents in the northern hemisphere bring cold air from the north and mix with the hot and humid air from the Pacific. As a result, it is typically cold, rainy and windy in March and April in Shanghai. And due to the strong movement of cold and warm air, recently many people feel that they have experienced four seasons in just one day in Shanghai.

Accordingly, if it is cold in spring, it means the air currents were more active and stronger, which must lead to more rain.

2.水底起青苔，猝逢大雨来。

Moss beneath the water forbodes a sudden flood.

             -----Translated by Yang Yukai

In summer the weather in Shanghai simply becomes more humid, therefore moss could be more frequently found; as the humidity increases they spread everywhere: even the bottom of a pool. Once such scene is witnessed in the rural area it means a heavy rain is coming immediately --- for the moisture has already gathered.

3.好日多风雨

An auspicious day is always accompanied with rain and wind.

             -----Translated by Yang Yukai

In the ancient time, peasants and farmers generally saw moderate and timely rain and wind as a good sign because they can help the crops grow and bring people a bumper harvest.

Gradually, this saying has acquired a new meaning, which implies that the way to success is full of thistles and thorns. Only when we have experienced frustrations and tribulations will we value more the trivial happiness in life.

The supervisor, Dr. Zhao Bi, is a lecturer of translation studies at School of English Studies, SISU.