They've provided directions to tourists in Shanghai, helped foreign executives with newspaper headlines, and in at least one case, translated a heated argument between a bilingual couple.

They're the bilingual translators at China Help Line, a Shanghai-based company established three years ago to provide phone-based translations of Mandarin and English with prepaid cards.

"One car owner needed help to fire the driver who kept overcharging for car wash services" Jean Wu, CEO of China Help Line told China Daily.

The idea to provide such services to the growing expat population and foreign travellers in China was acknowledged as an innovative idea by Fortune and travel magazines.

The company's employees are bilingual Chinese returnees who are experienced with foreign cultures and habits.

Wu, who was born in Beijing and lived in the United States for 15 years, said China Help Line has helped couples explain their views during verbal spats.

"Once, a mixed couple had us on the line for 50 minutes because they wanted to make sure they both understood what the argument really was about," she said.

One regular customer, an Australian mother of three, often uses the line with her driver and nanny. One time, the mother stopped giving a drug to her sick baby who was crying.

The nanny was concerned the woman's actions were detrimental to the baby but a translator explained the drug had a known side affect that caused the baby to cry.

"I also call to get help on questions related to shopping which saves me from days of absolute horror trying to find something that cannot be found, like, for instance, a baby monitor," said the Australian mother.

Foreign visitors in Shanghai may also call a free government line, Shanghai Help Line, for assistance.

(China Daily 04/12/2007 page5)