Bridging cultures and languages through cosmopolitan translation: a case of Macao’s Chinese-Portuguese bilingual street signs

Macao's bilingual street signs, displaying both Chinese and Portuguese inscriptions, embody a hybrid identity, revealing a dynamic interplay of translation within a cosmopolitan context. This study analyzes diverse translational practices, including awkward, favorable, mismatched, and multiple translations, observed through participant observation. It argues that these translational acts empower the Chinese language, fostering novel aesthetics and attitudes while demonstrating the harmonious coexistence and enduring integration of cross-cultural (re)inventions. The multilingual urban landscape of Macao provides a rich terrain for exploring the complexities and inherent nature of translation.