Words and 言葉 by Jim Davis

Taken Out of Context:

The Importance of Context in Japanese-into-English Translation

(Part 3)

This month we continue with Professor Davis' series of examples illustrating how context provides essential information that can assist the Japanese-into-English translator in producing a translation that is complete, accurate, and natural sounding. In this installment: Example 5 - unraveling sense (感) and sensation; and Example 6 - awareness of loanwords and false friends.

Who’s Who in the JLD — Jim Patrick

Jim Patrick has been the Administrator of the JLD since 2013. Intrigued by the bio he submitted prior to the 2013 election, I decided to interview him. I have enjoyed learning more about Jim, and am pleased to share my new-found knowledge with the JLD membership.

利き手: Connie Prener

Translation training opportunity in Kanagawa

Nadine and I recently received this information from Fred Uleman about an upcoming translation training opportunity in Japan. See below for details. -Jim, JLD Admin

Translation Reboot Camp
What:
The Translation Reboot Camp is an opportunity to learn from some of the very best in the J->E translation business in a concentrated series of workshops using field-specific material to provide broadly applicable insights. The small numbers, fantastic student:instructor ratio, and residential format with everyone (students and instructors alike) staying at the seminar facility ensure abundant problem-solving and discussion. If you already have some real-life J-E translation experience and want to improve your game, this is for you.
Participation:
Participation is limited to twenty students.
Instructors:
Tony Atkinson, Sarah Bull, Helen Iwata, Ginny Takemori, Fred Uleman, and Richard Walker, each of whom will each lead a workshop in a specialty area and all of whom will provide advice on productivity enhancement, business practices, and more in an informal, personalized setting.
When:
Starts on Friday evening (April 10), ends by noon on Sunday (April 12)
Where:
Shonan Village Center seminar facility in Hayama, Kanagawa
Cost:
JPY100,000/person (includes single-room accommodations for two nights, five meals, and workshop materials; does not include transportation to and from the venue)
Outlook:
While we hope to repeat this initiative, including in the E->J direction, we cannot promise. If you are interested, sign up for this trail-blazing first one.
To register:
Registration starts when you complete the application form (available from rc[at]jpnres.com) and return it by March 15 at latest. Because we expect more applicants than we can accept, there will be a selection process and you will be notified by March 23. If you are accepted, you should please remit payment to the designated account by March 31. Failure to remit by that date will mean forfeiting your place, which will go to someone else.
Clarification:
Please address questions to rc[at]jpnres.com.

ATA 2014: Automotive Translation and Interpreting

Presented by: Miyako Okamoto

Summarized by: Yoko Usui

My job responsibility includes being an in-house interpreter for a Tier 1 Toyota supplier, so needless to say, Ms. Okamoto’s session on “Automotive Translation & Interpreting – How cars are made” was on my list of absolutely-must-attend sessions.  The presentation was a great introduction to those who may be unfamiliar with the automotive manufacturing industry, yet still educational to those like myself already involved in this industry.  Using Honda Motor Japan website’s “Virtual Plant Tour” as the base, Ms. Okamoto highlighted the major processes involved in the manufacturing of an automobile (outlined below).

ATA 2014: Chicago wrap up and planning for Miami

Dear JLD,

You may not have noticed it, but the month of November just blew past. One minute many of us were at the ATA Annual Conference, and the next it was Thanksgiving. At least it felt that way. Happy December! I hope the weather is good wherever you are.

I wanted to post this for two reasons: to call for feedback on the Chicago conference and to call for volunteers/ideas for next year's conference in Miami (especially from those who weren't in Chicago.)

I thought Chicago was a big success. The Annual Meeting powerpoint presentation and meeting minutes should be going up on the JLDTimes Blog shortly. Volunteers wrote summaries for most of the JLD sessions and even for a few others. Please check them out when you get a chance. If you have any feedback on last month's conference, please contact Nadine or me. If you had a session proposal or an idea to make things better but didn't get a chance to share it, please do!

Which leads to the second reason for my email. Although not even a month has passed since the conference, the planning process for next year is already beginning. The deadline for Distinguished Speaker proposals is in February, and the deadline for regular session proposals is in March. The first Planning Committee meeting will be held soon.

For those who couldn't attend the 2014 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 interested in giving a presentation? Do you know someone who would be a good speaker? Please let us know. Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

If you would be willing to volunteer, please contact us. We are always looking for JLD members to make a presentation or post an article to the blog. You could also get involved in the Planning, Editorial or Entertainment committees. Feel free to contact Nadine or myself with any questions.

Best,

-Jim Patrick

JLD Administrator

ATA 2014: English>Japanese Translation of Figures of Speech

講演者: 望月良浩

報告者: ミトリック理香(Rika Mitrik)

ミシガン大学で日本語と翻訳実習コースを教えていらっしゃる望月良浩先生の「比喩の翻訳」についてのセッションに参加させていただいた。これは、前回のATAカンファレンスで日英翻訳のテクニックを講義してくださり、このブログにも寄稿してくださったウィスコンシン大学のジム・ディビス教授のセッションに触発されたものだという。ディビス教授のセッションでは、学生の珍訳迷訳(?)をなるほどと納得できる名訳に変身させ、含みの多い日本語表現を「字面を直訳するのではなく、言わんとする意図を訳すべし」と締めくくられていたのを覚えている。今回は英日の例文なので和訳翻訳者にはとっつきやすかったと思う。

ATA 2014: Grammatical Digging to Improve Japanese>English Patent Translation

発表者: James Judge

報告者: 前田 紘明

　JLD最初のセッションの議題は、日英の特許翻訳において日本人翻訳者が陥りやすい文法上の落とし穴について。大阪から招いた発表者のJames Judgeさんは、日本での日常生活でよく見かける日本語の曖昧さや不思議な英文を紹介しながら、複雑な特許明細書を読み解き英訳する際の文法上の問題点についてユーモアを交えながら話してくれました。特許翻訳に携わっている翻訳者だけではなく他の分野の翻訳者も多数参加し、特許翻訳独特の英文表現ついて盛んな議論が持ち上がり、予定の時間があっという間に過ぎてしまう充実したセッションでした。