Now that has prompted Jeremy Astfalck, chairman of the South African Antique Dealers' Association, and his committee, to introduce a Chinese page on the SAADA website, where all articles and newsletters are translated into Government Chinese.
"Seeing your name and what you have said in Chinese really brings home how important it is for you as a dealer, to understand how difficult it must be for some of our clients," says Mr Astfalck.
"The thinking behind this was to lessen the impact of the language barrier and build relationships with our clients by providing information in their language.
"South Africa has seen a large influx of migrant workers who have become keen clients and once they buy from you, tend to return again and again. The information we are supplying certainly helps and we are seeing the value of purchases increase as clients become more comfortable with the way we describe and label our goods."
