Keep Calm and Carry On: The Meaning Behind the Slogan'

For three years, my quality goal has been 'Maintain the quality management system and documentation in inspection-ready form.' But this year, I wanted to find something more meaningful. That's when I came across the phrase 'keep calm and carry on,' a slogan that has become synonymous with British culture.

But what does it really mean? In English, the phrase is often used to convey a sense of stoicism in the face of adversity. It's about keeping your cool and persevering, even when things get tough. But as I dug deeper, I discovered that this phrase takes on different meanings in other cultures.

In Polish, for example, it's more about drowning one's sorrows and carrying on. In Traditional Chinese, it's a polite way of saying 'please keep calm and we should persist till the end.' The Japanese version focuses on avoiding panic, while the French version is very close to the original.

But what about other cultures? I was fascinated to find out how this phrase would be translated in other languages. In Vietnamese, it's about being calm and facing the situation. In Turkish, it's about keeping yourself calm and doing what you've decided without worrying about what others say. And in Russian, it's a rallying cry to go ahead and be afraid of nothing.

It was also interesting to see how different cultures have interpreted this phrase in their own way. For example, the German version is often translated as 'to wait and drink tea,' which I find quite amusing. In Hindi, it's about having a calm mind and making an effort. And in Italian, it's a humorous take on the phrase, with one translation saying 'I am Italian and I cannot keep calm.'

But what does this phrase mean to us? For me, it's about perseverance and staying focused, even when things get tough. It's about keeping your cool and carrying on, no matter what life throws at you.

As we prepare to host a record number of foreign visitors to the UK this summer, I think this phrase is more relevant than ever. So, let's take a moment to reflect on its meaning and how it can inspire us in our own lives.

Here are the translations of 'keep calm and carry on' in different languages:

* Brazilian Portuguese: 'Keep calm and keep your head up!'

* Chinese Simplified: ''

* Chinese Traditional: ''

* Dutch:

* French:

* German:

* Greek:

* Hindi: 'Calm mind, make effort'

* Italian: 'I am Italian and I cannot keep calm'

* Japanese:

* Polish: 'Drown your bug (i.e. sorrows) and carry on.'

* Russian:

* Spanish: 'Keep calm and take a nap'

* Turkish: 'Keep yourself calm, do whatever you have decided to do without paying attention to what others say'

* Vietnamese: 'Be calm to face the situation'

Let us know what you think - if you would like us to do a translation for your language that isn't already included, or if you have comments on the translations we've done, please let us know on our Facebook page.

Keep calm and carry on meaning