Translator - K.K.
MS in Microbiology,
20 yrs. experience
Why did you choose to be a translator?
I would like to keep using my skills in science and English after my retirement as a research scientist. I like to read scientific papers, so translation in the science field is very interesting to me. It is very interesting to know that you chose English translation service though your nativity is Japanese. What made you select this language?
I can also do Japanese but I have been living in the US for 35 years, so I do think in English. I have a graduate degree from a US university (M.S., Microbiology) and I have worked in biotechnology at an American pharmaceutical company in the U.S., so I have learned all my scientific terminology in English.
Translation involves thorough knowledge of both the languages – Japanese and English. Can a person be an expert in 2 such different languages?
I think that it really depends upon the individual. I see a lot of English-speaking people who have been living in Japan for a long time and speak perfect Japanese, but I also see some who cannot speak Japanese well even after living in Japan for many years. I can also say the same for Japanese living in the U.S. How do you continually maintain and improve your Japanese skills?
Since I live in U.S., my everyday language is English. And I check my old assignments.
Could you give us an example of an assignment that challenged your skills as translator?
I was a research scientist working for a pharmaceutical company for 27 years.How do you keep yourself updated with the recent happenings in the industry and the subject you translate?
I have been in the science field for approximately 30 years and I keep myself updated by reading journal articles, the internet, and newspapers.
