Aug 31, 2010

Welcome Letter

Welcome to the JLD Times, the Japanese Language Division’s newsletter & blog.

With the summer 2010 relaunch of the JLD Times in its new blog format, the JLD Editorial Committee would like to give our members an overview of why we have chosen this format for the website, the vision for filling it with content in the future, and some guidelines for member contribution and participation.

First, we are using this new blog format in lieu of a periodically published JLD newsletter. This approach was discussed during JLD Annual Meetings at the ATA conferences of the past couple of years and ultimately selected by the Editorial Committee. Our goal with this blog format is to post content as it becomes available. This would include not only announcements of upcoming events, but also and especially articles that may be of interest and use to the JLD membership and Japanese translation community at large.

In the past, the biggest challenge with putting out a JLD newsletter was generating and maintaining a stream of articles of interest. This was due to the reality of our industry and community: often those with the most interesting, useful, or motivating things to say are quite busy, successful professionals themselves – including translators and interpreters as well as subject matter experts in areas like patents, pharmaceuticals, finance, media, and the like.

Waiting for article contributions from busy people has not been a proven model. For this reason, we have formed an Editorial Committee responsible for reaching out to the translation/interpreter community and approaching subject matter experts to actively encourage and generate a regular stream of articles and contributions. The charter members of the JLD Editorial Committee are Hiroki Fukuyama, Gregor Hartmann, Courtney MacNab, Rika Mitrik, Richard Mott, Connie Prener and Carl Sullivan.

In addition to articles, the JLD blog will have a comment section. It is the intent to have this section be semi-moderated, where the moderator will only intervene if commentary goes “out of bounds.” Out of bounds would include discussion of rates*, personal attacks, misleading information, spam or advertising content, or other comment postings not considered by the moderator to be consistent with ATA policy and/or in the interests of the JLD membership.

This initial phase of the JLD newsletter is an experiment in format, editorial approach, and content style. We will likely make mid-course corrections as we gain experience and receive feedback. We hope we can look forward to the active participation of the JLD membership as article contributors, insightful blog posters, and even as future Editorial Committee members (Contact Courtney MacNab, courtney.macnab@gmail.com).

Lastly, the JLD website is back up and running. We would like to offer many thanks to Yoshiko Guy for designing and implementing the website. Yoshiko persevered through a number of setbacks to make this happen. It looks great, and we want to thank her again on behalf of the JLD for getting this website up and running.

The JLD Editorial Committee

*As specified in ATA's Policy Statement of March 25, 1990 (see http://www.atanet.org/aboutus/governance_policystatement.php)

Aug 30, 2010

J<>E Certification WorkshopとATA Certification Examについて

ATA Japanese<>English Certification Workshopのお知らせ

2010年ATA Conferenceが、10月27日~30日、コロラド州デンバーで開催されますが、今年も日本語部門(JLD)のセッションの一つにJapanese<>English Certification Workshopがあります。(Session J-7, 8:30-9:30am, Saturday, October 30, 2010)

これは、ATAの日英または英日認定試験を受けようとする人たちのために、実際に試験で使われるようなサンプル・パッセージを試訳しながら、エラーの種類や減点数を具体的に検討していく、参加型のセッションです。

ワークショップは、日英グループと英日グループに分かれて同時進行で行うので、日英・英日両方に参加することはできません。各グループ内でさらに小グループに分かれ、それぞれ現役グレーダーがリーダーとなって、試訳を検討し、認定試験の採点基準に従って採点しながら、減点の理由などを説明していきます。セッションは少人数グループのインフォーマルな環境で、参加者は疑問があればいつでもリーダーに質問をすることができます。

ワークショップで使うサンプル・パッセージは事前に入手できるので、参加者は自分で試訳をした上でワークショップに臨むと、効率的に多くを学ぶことができます。認定試験の本番では、紙の辞書を使い(電子機器は持ち込み禁止)、手書きで訳すことになりますが、最近は辞書を引くのも訳文を書くのもすべてコンピューターという人がほとんどですから、練習のために、サンプル・パッセージも手書き・紙の辞書という条件で訳してみることをお勧めします。

下記に述べるATA認定試験用プラクティス・テストは有料ですが、このワークショップは、会議参加者は無料で受けられ、自分の試訳について自由に質問できるまたとない機会ですので、奮ってご参加ください。

サンプル・パッセージの入手、その他ワークショップの詳細については、Ken Wagner (J>E) JapaneseMedical@comcast.netまたはYuri Chujo Davis (E>J) ydavis@mindspring.comへお問い合わせください。


ATA Certification Examについて

ATA認定試験は、プロの翻訳者としての能力をテストすることを目的としており、受験資格としては、少なくとも4週間前からATA会員となっていることに加えて、ある程度の学歴・経験が要求されます。(www.atanet.org/certification/eligibility_overview.php

ATAのウェブサイトによると、認定試験でテストされる能力は、
- Comprehension of the source-language text
- Translation techniques
- Writing in the target language

であり、"translation techniques" は以下のように定義されています。
Criteria: Translated text conveys the full meaning of the original. Common translation pitfalls are avoided. Dictionaries are used effectively. Sentences are recast appropriately for target-language style and flow.
試験は3時間で、225~275ワードのパッセージを2つ訳します。Passage A (General)、Passage B (Science/technology/medicine)、Passage C (Law/business/finance) の3つの中から2つを選んで訳しますが、このうちAは必須、もう一つはBかCを選びます。手書きで訳し、辞書持ち込み可ですが、電子辞書などの電子機器は一切持ち込み禁止です。(www.atanet.org/certification/aboutexams_presentation.php
どのパッセージにも、冒頭にTranslation Instructions(TI)が付いており、原文の出典、訳文の使用目的、読者層は誰か、どのような媒体で使われるのか、などが説明されています。これに従って、適切な文体を決めたり、その分野に適した専門用語を探したりしなければなりません。TIの枠組み内で、原文の意味を的確に伝えることが求められます。
Practice Test
認定試験を受ける前に、練習のための模擬試験(プラクティス・テスト)を受けることができます。プラクティス・テストは、ATAの個人会員なら誰でも受験資格があります。このテストでは、過去に試験で使われたパッセージを一つ(通常はPassage A)訳します。本番の試験では答案が受験者に返されることはありませんが、プラクティス・テストでは、採点された答案が戻ってくるので、どこをどう間違えたか、あるいはどういう文体が求められているかなどがわかります。(www.atanet.org/certification/aboutpractice_test.php
ATA Certificationの効用
認定試験に合格すると、ATA会員としてのステータスがAssociate membershipからVoting membershipに変わり、ATAのDirectory of Translation and Interpreting Servicesに「ATA-certified」として記載されるようになります。またVotingメンバーには、ATAの運営に関して投票権があります。
ビジネス面では、ATA認定試験合格者は、履歴書、名刺などに「ATA-certified」と明記したり、「Certified Translator (CT)」という称号を使ったりすることができます(例 – Jane Doe, CT)。
ATAの認定は、仕事をする上で必須の資格ではなく、また仕事を保証するものでもありませんが、「ATA Certification」は、米国内で最も広く知られる翻訳認定制度として、翻訳会社やクライアントが翻訳者を探す時の基準の一つとされることが増えているようです。
なお、ATA認定取得者は、認定を維持するために「Continuing Education (CE)」を受け、3年ごとに規定の「Continuing Education Points (CEPs)」を貯めて報告する必要があります。ポイントの対象となるCE活動には、ATA Annual ConferenceやATA支部の活動への参加、大学の講座受講などがあります。(http://www.atanet.org/certification/aboutcont_overview.php
以上、簡単にATA認定試験についてご紹介しましたが、2010年の試験日・試験会場、受験料など、詳しい内容についてはATAウェブサイトのCERTIFICATIONのページをご覧ください。(http://www.atanet.org/certification/index.php

By Yuri Chujo Davis, Satoko Nielsen, Akiko Sasaki-Summers, Izumi Suzuki and Ken Wagner

Aug 25, 2010

Colorado Adventure Trip


Colorado is also well-known for its mountains, rivers, lakes and hot springs. A great many people from all around the world visit Colorado every year for skiing, river rafting, hiking, biking, hunting and fishing, etc. The KLD Hospitality Committee is pleased to announce an exciting 2 day trip for KLD, JLD, and CLD members to visit different places in Colorado.


10/30/2010 (Saturday)

1:00PM Depart from Denver (Hyatt Hotel) to Winter Park, Colorado
3:00PM Arrive at condominium (6 people per unit. Each unit has 3 bed rooms.)
4:00PM Tour around the Winter Park downtown, go to hot springs
7:00PM Get together for dinner and socializing at condominium (cook ramen or Korean
food together, ingredients will be provided on site)
10:00PM Sleep


10/31/2010 (Sunday)

6:00AM Wake up
7:00AM Walk by the river
8:00AM Come back to condominium and have breakfast together
10:00AM Check out time
12:00PM Stop by Blackhawk and Central City (casinos and historic mining town)
12:10PM Have lunch buffet
1:00PM Tour around the city and leave for Coors Brewery
2:00PM Arrive at Coors Brewery (can taste up to 3 beers, water or sodas for free)
4:30PM Leave the brewery
5:00PM Tour the historic city of Golden (home of Colorado School of Mines) and also
the first city of Colorado
5:45PM Arrive in Downtown Denver
6:30PM Dinner in Downtown Denver
8:00PM Walking tour of 16th Street (Free Shuttle)
9:30PM Go back to one’s own hotel


Cost & Payment Method:
$200 per person (a bed/person, food and transportation are included)
Please mail a check to Mr. Kipyo Alexander Han, Chair of KLD Hospitality Committee by 10/1/2010. Please mail the check to the following address.

Mr. Kipyo Alexander Han
1182 S Washington Street
Denver CO 80210


*If you have questions, please contact Mr. Kipyo Alexander Han, Chair of KLD Hospitality Committee, at alex@tlitranslation.com or tli7773@yahoo.com . To check for last minute changes, please check the Hospitality Committee page of the KLD website at http://www.ata-divisions.org/KLD.

Aug 19, 2010

Who's Who in the JLD - Courtney MacNab

As the JLD Administrator, Courtney MacNab is the perfect choice for our inaugural interview. JLD members already acquainted with her will welcome the opportunity to learn more about her, and those who don’t attend conferences will enjoy meeting her for the first time. I first noticed Courtney at the 2005 Conference, and was impressed by her positive attitude, friendliness and energy. She stepped up to the plate right away for the Division, volunteering for the 2006 Conference Planning Committee. Courtney was elected Assistant Administrator in 2007, and Administrator in 2009.

First of all, what motivated you to study Japanese?
When I was in middle school, I took a six-week introductory course in Japanese offered by a community college near where I lived (in Michigan). The instructors had a show called “Junior Japanese” on the local cable access network, and I enjoyed participating in it. Japanese was not available at my middle or high school, but I started studying it again in my freshman year at Dickinson College.

Did you have the opportunity to study in Japan during your college years or later on?
I spent my junior year studying in Aichi, Japan at the Center for Japanese Studies at Nanzan University. I lived with a Japanese host family, and spent as much time as I could traveling around Japan and Southeast Asia. It was a wonderful year. Immediately after graduating from Dickinson, I was accepted into the MAT (Master’s in Translation) program at the Monterey Institute for International Studies in French and Japanese. After completing my first year, I decided to take a year off. I spent nine months in Paris and six months in Nagasaki, studying at the Nagasaki College of Foreign Languages. I stayed with a wonderful family that has since become my Japanese family. After graduating from MIIS, I had an internship with Toyota Techno Services Corporation, now Toyota Technical Development Corporation, in Toyota-shi. I try to see my Japanese family as often as I can — I spent a month with them in Nagasaki last year.

What inspired you to become a translator?
Growing up, I had several friends who were originally from other countries, including Japan. Whenever I spent time at their houses, I wished I could understand what they were saying to their families. I decided in high school that I wanted to learn foreign languages, and since I didn’t want to become a teacher, I would become a translator. At the time I had no idea what being a translator involved. I thought that I would simply read something in French and write it in English. Luckily, I had some great teachers in high school and college who helped prepare me to become a translator, and to figure out what translating really involved. The two years that I spent at MIIS getting my master’s and the interval between my first and second year there (which I spent working in France and going to school in Japan) solidified my desire to become a translator.

What type of work do you do? Do you specialize?
For Japanese, I specialize in automotive, technical and market research translations. Lately, I’ve also started translating more personal documents such as marriage certificates, diplomas and birth certificates. I also accept translations outside of my areas of specialization, as long as I feel that I am capable of handling them.

For French, I specialize in legal, automotive and real estate translations. I also have a few clients who sell Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software and other software designed to improve corporate productivity.

Do you have any advice for freelancers who are just starting out?
I think getting involved in the ATA, regional translators’ associations and online forums/websites/listservs for translators is a great way to network, gain experience and learn from more experienced translators. I would also recommend gaining experience through internships or by providing free or discount translations for NGOs and other humanitarian organizations. I gained a lot of experience and got some great feedback through volunteer work and internships when I first started working as a translator. The ATA and LinkedIn have many excellent listservs with tons of valuable information.

When it comes to actual translation, don’t be afraid to ask the client, project manager, friends or colleagues questions about terminology or the project. And always be honest if a document or subject is outside your area of expertise. I've found that clients prefer an honest translator who does a good job in his/her areas of specialization and sometimes turns down jobs to a generalist who takes on anything and delivers poor quality. Finally, always meet your deadline and let the PM know well in advance if there is a problem.

Do you have an avocation that you pursue in your spare time?
My husband is active duty Army. We spend a lot of time volunteering for various organizations on post that support soldiers and their families. I also love to read and enjoy traveling.

What motivated you to devote so much of your time and energy to the JLD?
When I attended my first conference in 2005, I joined the Conference Planning Committee as a way to network with more experienced translators and learn how the JLD and the ATA worked. It was a fabulous experience. When I was asked to run for Assistant Administrator in 2007, I thought it would be a great way to build on what I'd learned on a broader level. While it's been challenging at times, I've enjoyed meeting new people, networking with seasoned translators, learning about our profession and helping JLD members and people interested in becoming J<>E translators.

What is your vision for the JLD?
I'm really excited about the relaunching of the JLD website and our blog-format newsletter, the JLD Times. I'd like to see more people get involved with the JLD Times by writing articles. Our members have a wealth of experience and expertise and it would be great if we could tap into that. I know that the most successful translators are often the busiest ones, but I'm hoping that I can inspire, motivate and encourage people to submit articles for the JLD Times.

Thank you, Courtney!

聞き手: Connie Prener

Aug 16, 2010

My Translation Office Setup

By Alex Kent
Photos by Felicia Sevene

I had been working using a computer hutch that I found on Craigslist. That turned out to be a disaster in terms of pain in my neck, wrist, shoulders, etc.

I ditched the hutch, and for a while, I was working with a smaller monitor mounted on a swing arm attached to the side of the el cheapo cart where the computer and printer find their home, but it was too difficult to see the monitor from any distance and too small to display a split screen, as when one is working in Trados or with a PDF. Next, I went to Best Buy to get my current big mama monitor, which I think is 24 inches diagonally. (See Fig. 3) I built the cart that the monitor sits on, with something like a gantry crane in mind, sort of a bridge over my feet, which rest on the separate footstool. (See Fig. 1)

Then the wires to the mouse and the keyboard became a hassle as I tended to tug on them as I moved around. Back to the store to get a wireless keyboard/mouse combo. (See Fig. 4) I made a mouse support which I mounted on the framework of the right-side arm of the recliner chair (Is this beginning to sound like the "Detailed Description of the Invention" section in a patent?)

I also had been using a hard-wired headset for Dragon NaturallySpeaking, but I would forget that I was wearing the headset, stand up, and have it ripped off my head. That's where the wireless headset comes in. (See Fig. 2) Unfortunately, I think the signals between the headset and the computer and between the wireless keyboard/mouse and computer have a bit of crosstalk, so I sometimes have to turn off the headset in order to make finer manipulations with a wireless mouse. Oh well.

When I need to look at paper copy, I use a music stand which is disposed to my left. (See Fig. 5)

At the moment, the only additional modification I am thinking about would be to make a small lap desk upon which the wireless keyboard would sit, possibly velcroed or rubber banded in place.

There is no problem reading the screen at this distance because I can jack up the zoom quite a bit thanks to the size of the monitor. I also like being able to move around a bit more than I would in a typical office chair-desk combo. On the other hand, the downside is that I can get too comfortable. I usually don't end up falling asleep, but since my feet are resting on the footstool, my muscles tighten up and ankles tend to get stiff. To deal with this, I often put my feet down on the floor. Best solution is to get up and take a walk!

I hope this gives you some new ideas for your own office setup. It's certainly worked for me!

Figure 1 Why hunch over a desk?
Why not lounge in comfort?
Figure 2 Wireless headset for dictating to Dragon Naturally Speaking.
Figure 3 Big monitor for reading text from afar.








Figure 4 Wireless keyboard, wireless mouse

Figure 5 Music stand holds paper copy.