REVEALING HOW JAPANESE TRANSLATORS VIEW THEIR OWN SOCIAL ROLES
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Transcript of REVEALING HOW JAPANESE TRANSLATORS VIEW THEIR OWN SOCIAL ROLES
REVEALING HOW JAPANESE TRANSLATORS VIEW THEIR OWN SOCIAL ROLES
Kikuko TanabeFeb. 23, 2010International Symposium: Translation and Cultural Mediation
My Key Points
Japanese translators’ role as cultural mediators has gone through several transitions.
Professional translators today enjoy more visibility than western translators do and play the role of cultural mediators.
Younger translators are still being caught up in the age-old debate over style.
The Translation Market
Books and audiovisual: 3% Technical: 95%
IT 29.2%Sci-tech 22.3%Patent 21.2%Business 10.4%Medical 10.4%
Source: Japan Translation Federation, 2005
Books: \2 billion ($20 million) Audiovisual: \1 billion ($10 million) Technical: \100-200 billion ($1-2
billion)
Language Pairs and DirectionMost frequently translated languages:
• English 74% • Korean 4.5%• Chinese 6.6% • French 3.8%• German 5.5% • Spanish
1.8%
Direction:
• J-to-E: 48.7% E-to-J: 51.3%• J-to-G: 25% G-to-J: 75%• J-to-C: 60.8 C-to-J: 29.2• J-to-K: 57.4 K-to-J: 42.6
Source: Japan Translation Federation, 2005
Historical Background
From Chinese, Latin, Portuguese, Dutch, English
Meiji Era: wakon yosai: Japanese spirit and Western techniques
Translation on the battlefield.Shogun army: FrenchRebel army: Dutch
Japanese Language and Translation New words: society, philosophy,
science… New expressions: use of pronouns,
relative clauses… Birth of vernacular Wavering between styles
Progressive intellectuals vs. conservative writers
Translationese vs. traditional styles
Respect or Disrespect?
Until 1970s: Job for intellectuals After 1970s: Lack of originality Translator as kuroko
Research
1) Qualitative Interviews (March-August 2009):
Nine Japanese professional translators
(Technical 2, Book 6, Both 1)2) Text analysis:
10 books on translation by professional translators
Patterns of Attitude
Adequacy vs. acceptability Voluntary subservience Cross-cultural commitment
Adequacy vs. Acceptability
I am always troubled over whether to translate in my own style or to use a neutral style.
(book, fiction/non-fiction) I prioritize equivalence in atmosphere over
that of literal meaning. (book, non-fiction)
If you translate faithfully, you are constrained by the original, but grasping the style and intention of the author is also important.
(book, fiction/non-fiction)
Subservience/Invisibility
“Clients are “gods” and I must be compliant with their requirements.” (technical)
“My job is not creative and I think myself a code-switcher.” (book and technical)
“Translators are kuroko.” (book, fiction) “I become almost a servant or slave and listen
to the master’s voice, so that I can convert it to another language.” (book, fiction)
Cross-cultural Commitment
Translation brings about different values and perspectives [to the target culture].
(book, fiction/non-fiction) Translators mediate foreign cultures into
Japan. They should think seriously about their role as cultural mediators. If they mistranslate, everyone misunderstands. (book, non-fiction)
Translators are shamans, they are mediumistic.
(book, fiction)
Translation Pyramid
cross-cultural action more experienced
stylistic concern
subservience less experienced
Summary
Translator community with two orientations:
1) Cross-culturally active, select-few cultural mediators.
2) Socially subservient young translators who support the translator community’s reputation and income.
My Recommendations
Should we deny the translation pyramid and close the door to amateurs?—Or should we transform them?
Making non-professional translators and translation learners aware of their role as cultural mediators will be the key.
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Thank you for your attention!