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!