Translator - Y.W.
Master of East
Asian Studies
13 yrs. experience
Could you tell me about your areas of specialization?
I majored in social welfare studies in Japan, took a master's degree in Australia, and then pursued a doctoral program. I primarily studied Asian research and political science in the master's program, and public policy in the doctoral program. I have also studied law in the United States and Australia, and hence I am confident about handling a wide range of subject areas.
Why did you choose to be a translator?
When I was studying law, one acquaintance who was about to retire gave me all his dictionaries and guidebooks. That was the turning point for me to start learning translation. At the end of the course, I started working as a translator. I became interested in academic translation while I was studying translation.
Please tell me about your history and experience with English as a language
After graduating from junior high school in Japan, I finished high school at an international school. While my university was in Japan, I went to graduate school in Australia and America. Normally returnee children are good at either Japanese or English, but in my case, since I was doing a lot of back and forth, I was equally good at both languages.
How are you able to maintain and improve your English skills?
I always watch and listen to news programs to understand current affairs. Other than that, I try to keep learning academic expressions by always referring to books written by researchers with high writing skills. Regarding the techniques of translation, since the order of subject and predicate are opposite in English and Japanese, I try to put them close by using the methodology of patent translation. You will see a clear improvement in the result, if a sentence is long.
What type of translator do you want to be?
I assume the reason why client request translation is that what they can express freely in their mother tongue is difficult to express in another language. Thus, a translator needs to be a spokesman who is able to express what client wants to say in a foreign language. However, it is not easy to a translation that has a native-like feel. But therein is the challenge which should be overcome by us.
What is the most interesting point you have come across while translating documents?
The most interesting point of translation is that the contents of a manuscript can be changed by incorrect choice of terms. Japanese translation is complicated due to use of imported words and localized Japanese; moreover, there are many adopted words in the subject area of social science, and I make it a point to carefully check those terms in dictionaries or on the Internet. Auto-translation tools or Google translation is not of much use in this case. A translator has to put extra time and effort to do it, and this is what separates a good translator from an average one.
Which was the most remarkable translation assignment you have ever done?
It was the translation of a sociology paper, which was related to the result of a questionnaire survey. The researcher wrote the manuscript fluently, and the content of paper was very clear. I came to know that if the academic paper is written well, translating it is as easy as breathing so much so that I was so impressed that I still remember it. I believe that the one who writes his paper well is truly enjoying their research. Such papers are a great joy to translate and also create a good impression on the reader.
How do you keep yourself updated with the recent happenings in the subjects you are translating?
I read and research about the topic at hand. For example, for the translation of a sociology paper, it is necessary to translate using suitable expression, which is possible if you understand the contents accurately. Also, I always try to get used to the author’s expression and style.
