Jan 21, 2014

ATA 2013: Minutes of the JLD Annual Meeting

American Translators Association, 54th Annual Conference
Marriott Rivercenter,
San Antonio, TX

Friday November 8th, 5:09 p.m. - 5:59 p.m.
Division officers present: Masae Sullivan, Jim Patrick, Hiroki Fukuyama
Division members present: ~ 25 members including 13 newcomers

  • Meeting called to order at 5:09 p.m. (DA Masae Suillivan)
  • Meeting Minutes from 2012
◦       It was reported that the minutes of the JLD Annual Meeting from 2012 were posted on the JLD Times Blog
◦       2012 minutes were accepted
  • 2013 Annual Meeting agenda introduced
  • Welcome
◦       Welcome of members and first time attendees/new members
▪       New members were asked to introduce themselves (roughly 13 newcomers)
  • Overview
◦       Remaining JLD events for the conference
  • 2013 Division Election Results announced
◦       Jim Patrick (new DA), and Nadine Edwards (new assistant DA)
◦       Present DA thanked nominating committee: Jon Johanning and Richard Mott
Meeting turned over to new DA
  • Remarks
◦       Past DA gave her remarks and thanks and encouraged all members to get involved
◦       Present DA
▪       Thanks to past Division officers Masae Suillivan and Hiroki Fukuyama for all their hard work.
▪       Recognized founding administrator Mr. John Bukacek who was also in attendance.
▪       Wants to focus on the JLD Times Blog this year. Encouraged members to participate.
▪       Thank you to those who have volunteered – introducing speakers and providing summaries.
▪       Recognized and thanked editorial committee lead by Tracy Miller.
  • Overview of 2013 by present DA:
◦       Annual meeting moved from session to special event.
◦       Certification workshop brought back on request.
◦       Revival of the JLD Times as a blog.
▪       The JLD is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.
  • New DA asked for Volunteers for editorial committee.
  • Request for Feedback 5:34
  • Encouraged members to send feedback to ATA.
  • 5:39 p.m Called for Volunteers, ideas for presentations and further comments.
  • 5:59 Meeting adjourned.


Volunteers for Various Committees
Editorial Committee
Amy Franks
Bruce Morita (new volunteer)
Connie Prener
Hiroki Fukuyama
Lauren Sheridan
Rika Mitrik
Tracy Miller (editor)


Conference/Programs Planning
Bruce Morita
Hiroki Fukuyama
Hiro Tsuchiya
Izumi Suzuki
John Bukacek
Mutsuko Pease
Nathan Takase
Shannon Spears
Tracy Nishio
Yoshihiro Mochizuki


“Entertainment Committee” (Annual Dinner 2014 at ATA 55, Chicago)
Tracy Miller
Hiro Tsuchiya

John Bukacek
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Translating Figures of Speech in Japanese Documents

Professor and Director, Technical Japanese Program
Dept. of Engineering Professional Development, University of Wisconsin-Madison

2013 ATA Conference, San Antonio TX
November 9, 2013

Why are figures of speech used in languages? To convey particular messages in particular ways.

Generally speaking, the basic principle of translation is that the target text should make the same impact (emotional, etc., as well as factual) on its readers as the source text did on its.

To carry this out when metaphors occur in the source text, the translator needs to generate many alternative translations and then choose the best one depending on constraints such as the context surrounding the metaphor in the source and the desired impact on the reader.

These alternatives can be arranged on a matrix with a number of axes. For example, similar vs. different meaning and similar vs. different form:
Similar meaning

Similar form


Different form



Different meaning


This matrix can be considered as a tool to be used for generating a number of alternative translations. Once you have them, you can use the constraints of the context, the impact on the reader that is needed, etc.

Other axes (think of them as additional dimensions to these two: 3rd, 4th, etc.):
Paraphrase vs. describe: rather than trying to find a target language metaphor parallel to the source language metaphor, paraphrase the meaning or describe what the writer was talking about
Exotic vs. familiar: use target language which is relatively close to the source and therefore “exotic” to the reader of the translation, or language more familiar to the reader of the translation
Detailed vs. concise: use longer phrases to include details, or more concise ones

Still other dimensionss may involve style, register, tone, rhythm, and rhyme, etc.


Examples:

1. 竜頭蛇尾

Similar meaning and form:      “Head of a dragon and tail of a snake”                      (Exotic)
Similar meaning but different form:
                                                “Start with a bang and end with a whimper”              (Familiar)
                                                “Strong beginning and weak ending”                         (Familiar)
                                                “Start well and end badly”                                         (Familiar)

Paraphrase/describe:                “Flash in the pan”                                          (Colloquial; longer)
                                                “Anticlimax”                                                  (Neutral; medium)                                                                         “Dud”                                                                        (Colloquial; shorter)

2. 蛇の道は蛇
Exotic:                                     “A snake knows the way of a snake.”
Familiar:                                  “Set a thief to catch a thief.”
                                                “It takes one to know one.”
                                                “Fight fire with fire.”

3. 弱肉強食
Similar meaning and form:      “The weak are meat, the strong do eat.”
                                                “The strong devour the weak.”
                                                “The big fish eat the small.”
Similar meaning but different form:
                                                “The survival of the fittest”
Paraphrase/describe:                “The law of the jungle”

4. ピンチをチャンスに
Similar meaning and form:      “Turning a challenge into an opportunity.”
                                                “Turning a problem into an opportunity.”
                                                “Turning a crisis into an opportunity.”
                                                “Turning adversity into opportunity.”
Similar meaning but different form:
                                                “Making the best of a bad situation”
                                                “Making lemons into lemonade”
Paraphrase/describe:                “Finding a silver lining”

5. 大連立という泥船に乗り込む政党はない

No political party would          take a ride on a mudboat.
board a boat made of mud.
board a train bound for nowhere.
adopt a strategy with no future.
support a losing proposition.

6. この世界から足を洗ったら農業をやりたいとかんがえている。

If I (ever)                                 wash my hands of (the world of) politics,
turn my back on (the world of) politics,
walk away from (the world of) politics,
decide to quit (the world of) politics,
leave behind (the world of) politics,
abandon (the world of) politics,
give up politics,
(I think) I would like to try farming.

7. 日本の防衛産業に秋波送る「友好諸国」

Friendly Countries                  Cast eyes on                           Japan’s Defense Industry
                                                Seek Partnerships with
                                                Make Overtures to
Court

8. 再生事例：リスケデ時を稼ぐ！経営改革に着手
The key to business revitalization: Buy (some) time
                                                        Gain (some) breathing room
through debt rescheduling, then   restructure operations
revamp operations
overhaul management


9. 党本部と都道府県の分業耐性の確立＝
「猫も杓も霞ヶ関詣で」という習慣を打破し、地方で処理できることは処理するという地方分権を先取りできる。
Establishing a system for division of labor between the party headquarters and the local chapters/affiliates:
Eliminating the custom by which
“everyone comes to Kasumigaseki (to seek favors from the government,”
“every Tom, Dick and Harry brings his business to Kasumigaseki,”
“all decisions are made in Kasumigaseki,”
and in doing so
taking the first steps toward
laying the groundwork for
decentralization of decision making, so matters than can be handled locally are handled locally.

_______________________
Thus, in conveying the message:
1. Use a strategy matrix tool to generate alternative translations.
2. Consider alternative meanings based on context.
3. Consider alternative renderings based on constraints.

(Other examples are in the session handout: contact James L. Davis: jdavis@engr.wisc.edu
                                               


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Dec 2, 2013

55th Annual ATA Conference - Chicago Promo

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ATA 54th Annual Conference Summary

ATA 54th Annual Conference Summary
By: Paul Koehler

                  Translators and interpreters in many different language pairs gathered for the ATA 54th Annual Conference held at the San Antonio Riverwalk Marriot from November 6-9, 2013. This annual conference is always an important event and gives many translators and interpreters a chance to learn, network and get together with new friends and old colleagues.
                  Attendance from members of the Japanese Language Division was very robust, with about 55 members attending the official JLD dinner at the Iron Cactus, which was graciously organized by JLD Secretary Hiroki Fukuyama. Other happenings in JLD included the initial open house, several sessions and the installation of two new officers: Jim Patrick as Administrator and Nadine Edwards Assistant Administrator, while Masae Sullivan stepped down after serving as Administrator from 2011-2013.

                  This year’s distinguished speaker was Richard Walker, who came from Yokohama to give a presentation and workshop on “Fiendishly Difficult Japanese Sentences”. Initial plans were also announced for next year’s conference, which will be held at the Chicago Sheraton Inn from November 5-8, 2014.
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JLD Needs YOU!

Dear JLD Members,

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you had a relaxing holiday.

Although not even a month has passed since the ATA Conference in San Antonio, the planning process for next year's conference in Chicago is already beginning. The deadline for Distinguished Speaker proposals is in February, and the deadline for regular session proposals is in March. 

If you were able to attend the conference in Texas, you may have heard us calling for ideas and suggestions for next year. We have received a lot of good feedback. Thank you and please keep it coming. 
If you were not able to attend the 2013 conference, this is your chance to let us know what sort of sessions and presentations you would be interesting in attending. Who would you like to hear speak? What subjects would you like to learn about? Would you be interesting in giving a presentation? Do you know someone who would be a good speaker? Please let us know. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

Finally, if you would be willing to volunteer for the Planning Committee, please contact us. The Planning Committee is a group of JLD members who help find and solicit speakers and coordinate sessions for next year's conference. We will meet once or twice a month via Skype over the next few months. Several people raised their hands to held last month. If you didn't get a chance to volunteer in San Antonio and you would like to get involved, here is your chance!

Our first Planning Committee Meeting will be held Sunday, December 8 at 9pm EST. Please contact Jim or Nadine if you would like to attend.

Best,
-Jim Patrick
JLD Administrator
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