Japanese Translation Services: Do the work with a winning methodology

Posted by Aitai on July 24 2017, 22:20pm

Categories: #Japanese Translation Services, #English-to-Japanese Translation, #Japanese Translation, #Japanese translators, #professional Japanese Translation, #Translation Services Tokyo, #Translation Services Japan, #Japanese Translation Services in Tokyo, #Japanese Translation Services in Japan

This post is about professional Japanese human translation.

In this article series you’re introduced to ideas to help you develop a translation methodology of your own, especially one that suits your work style, which will enable you to translate more efficiently and accurately. And, if you happen to glean any pointers that will up your game, all strength to you!

(Regardless of whether you’re a Japanese translator or a client of English Japanese translation services, there is something for you here.)

Read the original document
Research the translation
Now, do the work
Ask the right questions
Compare with the original
Edit (proof) the translation
Sleep on it!

Now, do the work
An easy task. Really!

If you've followed steps 1 & 2 above, then the translation is not only easy, it's enjoyable. Take your translating style to the next level by keeping these simple pieces of advice in the back of your mind doing projects.

a) Translate into your Native language, ONLY
Translating into a non-native language will generally suffer from deficiencies in style, you’ll make more spelling and grammatical errors, and -kiss of death- it will have this has been “translated” hue. Read more

b) Let Stalk Strine
Regional variations within the same language need to be reflected in your translation work. American English is not the same as British English is not the same as Australian English, or South African English for that matter. Many other languages have regional variations: Spanish, Portuguese and Chinese to name but few. Read more

c) Culture does factor into translation
Yes, culture definitely does matter. And if you need to alter text significantly in translation, do it! Then explain to the client why you did what you did. Remember:

Language is defined by culture.

Read more

d) Know your limits
Translation encompasses a huge field of subjects. If you think of all the material that requires translation you’d soon realize that this encompasses the collective body of human knowledge. Some people are just incredibly gifted and seem to soak up whatever subject they're exposed to. This isn't the case for the rest of us -- Play to your strengths. Read more

e) Context is important
Disregard for translating “in context” has given rise to the expression "lost in translation." Read more

f) Simple is best
Never has an adage been more applicable to the profession of translation – A simple translation style, like writing (and just about everything else in life), is powerful and convincing. Read more

g) What is NOT written is as important as what is written
That's right - read between the lines! Read more

h) Give it natural flair
If you have researched the author and acquired authoritative knowledge from step 2 above, you're well on your way to producing a convincing translation product that reads and sounds natural. Read more

Conclusion
Use the advice here to polish your translation style. Most of the advice is simply about making minor changes to your existing style; but, given consideration, will lead to improved results as seen from repeat requests for your Japanese translation services

(p.s. Bookmark this page and keep checking back for new articles in the series.)