During Queen Elizabeth II's visit to China in October 1986, BBC TV’s Breakfast Time broadcast live satellite pictures every morning of her movements. They asked me to be present in the White City studio, so that should something go wrong during the live broadcasts, e.g., loss of sound or picture, I’d be on hand to speak to the Chinese side as live satellite time was hugely expensive.
The first four days went by without any need for my services.
On Day Five, when the Queen was in Xi’an, visiting the terracotta warriors site, the director/producer on duty that day wanted to speak to the sound man of the BBC film crew.
BBC Director/Producer, via radio, to the Chinese side: Can you get Mr Jones, please?
Chinese side: (A few seconds’ silence, then hesitantly) Prease, can you repeat?
BBC: (more slowly) Can you get Mr Jones, please?
Chinese side: (Another pause, then hesitantly) Prease, can you say it one more time?
BBC: (Enunciating each word slowly) Can you get Mr Jones, please?
Chinese side: (Slight hesitation) What is Mr Jones?
At this point, the director/producer called me over.
Me: 请你叫 Jones 先生来。qǐng nǐ jiào Jones xiānsheng lái / Please call Mr Jones over.
Chinese side: Oh, Brian!
It was the “get” that confused them, as presumably they couldn't understand how one can "get" a person!
(London / China, 1986)
