ericspinelli
Diglot
Senior Member
Japan
Joined 5783 days ago
249 posts - 493 votes 
Speaks: English*, Japanese
Studies: Korean, Italian
| Message 1 of 4 15 April 2010 at 8:58am | IP Logged |
I came across an interesting article (Japanese language) regarding the state of translation/interpretation from Chinese as well as the standing of translators/interpreters in Japan. The article is only available in Japanese but for the sake of discussion, I have translated the first few paragraphs below.
The original article: 中国語通訳と翻訳 ... 花形職業の現実
Quote:
Translation and Interpretation of Chinese... The Reality of a "Dream Job"
Among those studying Chinese, quite a few aim to find work in the translation and interpretation field. These jobs are seen as the pinnacle of language learning and the object of many Chinese learner's obsessions.
However, though to most people the jobs look glamorous at first glance, the reality is quite different. Perhaps other jobs are the same and I just don't know, but translation and interpretation are surely among those jobs whose image and reality run counter to each other.
Misunderstandings
The biggest problem in the world of Chinese translation and interpretation is the size the pie. The number of jobs is definitely increasing in proportion to the leaps and bounds of the Chinese economy, but the number of would-be translators and interpreters is yet higher. The balance of supply and demand breaks down and dumping becomes common practice.
Moreover, the majority of people dealing with Chinese both translate and interpret. English translation and interpretation, however, are specialized and separate skills. Within each, further specialized people handle their respective fields of expertise.
But because there simply isn't enough work, unless you are very highly specialized, you must accept work from any and all fields.
This isn't done because it's particularly desirable but because if you don't, you starve.
To the uninitiated, it is an unimaginably exhausting job. Those who can't speak a foreign language often think,
"If you can speak, interpretation must be a breeze."
"Translation is simply swapping words. It's easy."
but "composition" and "translating," "speaking" and "interpretation" are completely different animals. |
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I assume that the article is discussing work from Chinese to Japanese. However, I have a feeling that some of these same issues occur for any language pair, and others for language pairs that don't include English (especially languages with fewer speakers and GDP than Japan). I'm curious as to anybody's thoughts, especially those who can read the whole article.
Of course, if anybody is interested in lending a hand to further the translation, I would certainly welcome it.
Edited by ericspinelli on 15 April 2010 at 8:58am
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quendidil
Diglot
Senior Member
Singapore
Joined 6312 days ago
126 posts - 142 votes
Speaks: Mandarin, English*
Studies: Japanese
| Message 2 of 4 15 April 2010 at 10:38am | IP Logged |
Quote:
厳しい現実
通訳に必要になるのは語学力だけではありま せん。というよりも、語学力は最低限の大前 提でしかありません。これに加え、その言語 が使用されている国の文化背景やマナー、ユ ーモアのセンス、古典に関する知識等、その 言語そのものに精通している必要があります 。
また、通訳には高度な集中力、豊富な知識、 臨機応変に対応する能力、優れた母国語の能 力、間断なく新しい知識を学ぶ努力、高度な 専門性、高度な記憶力等、多くの面で非常に 高度な能力が要求されます。
ヨーロッパ等では、通訳をする人の多くはそ れぞれの専門分野で修士号や博士号を取得し ているといいます。それぐらい高度な専門性 を要求されるのです。
もちろん、それに見合うだけの収入と、尊敬 を集める職業となっています。
ところが、日本では通訳は非常に軽く見られ ています。翻訳はまだ「翻訳家」などと呼ん でもらえますが、通訳はどこまでいっても「 通訳さん」で終わってしまいます。
当然、現場では通訳の仕事の重要度と難度に 対する認知が低く、事前に十分な資料を提供 しない、通訳の常識を超える長時間通訳を要 求する、休憩時間まで通訳をさせる、等無理 難題を要求されることもあるようです。おま けに高い給料を払っているのだから、と、こ き使われる傾向があるようです。 |
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translation wrote:
The Harsh Reality
Linguistic ability isn't all that is necessary for interpretation. Indeed, linguistic ability is only the lowest prerequisite; on top of that, the cultural background and customs of countries in which the language is used, humour (as expressed in the language), knowledge of the classics etc; in each language, all these are necessary to be well-versed in it.
Furthermore, interpretation requires high degrees of concentration, expansive knowledge, an ability to adapt to the circumstances, excellend ability in one's mother tongue, an incessant diligence to acquire new knowledge, a high degree of professionalism, an excellent memory et cetera; it requires advanced abilities in many departments.
In Europe and elsewhere, they say that most people who interpret have doctorates or masters in their areas of specialization. That is the degree of specialization that is sought.
Of course, the profession receives a commensurate income and prestige.
Contrarily, intepretation is looked upon unusually lightly in Japan. Although for translation, people who translate are known as "metaphrasts", whenever speaking of interpretation, its practioners are called "interpreting fellows".
Naturally, the recognition of the importance and difficulty of intepretation in the industry is (correspondingly) low, insufficient information is provided before the actual event, unreasonable lengths of time for interpretation are demanded, interpretation is demanded through rest periods, and other unreasonable demands are asked for. On top of that, because of their being paid high salaries, there is a tendency for them to be overworked (to justify the expence).
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The parenthesized words are not in the original text and are an attempt to clarify in case points that the Japanese leaves in the context. "Metaphrasts" is an attempt to convey the different registers used in 「翻訳家」and 「通訳さん」. It reads somewhat oddly as sometimes I wasn't sure how to phrase something in English.
Edited by quendidil on 16 April 2010 at 6:44am
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karaipyhare
Tetraglot
Groupie
Paraguay
Joined 5585 days ago
74 posts - 150 votes
Speaks: Portuguese, Spanish*, English, Guarani
Studies: German, Italian, French, Mandarin, Japanese
| Message 3 of 4 15 April 2010 at 8:03pm | IP Logged |
I wish I could translate from Japanese like you..
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Captain Haddock
Diglot
Senior Member
Japan
kanjicabinet.tumblr.
Joined 6768 days ago
2282 posts - 2814 votes
Speaks: English*, Japanese
Studies: French, Korean, Ancient Greek
| Message 4 of 4 16 April 2010 at 6:38am | IP Logged |
Quote:
ところが、日本では通訳は非常に軽く見られ ています。翻訳はまだ「翻訳家」などと呼ん でもらえますが、通訳はど
こまでいっても「 通訳さん」で終わってしまいます。 |
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My own fast and loose translation would be more like the following:
"However, interpretation is not taken very seriously at all in Japan. While translators are respectfully referred to as
'translation professionals', someone who interprets ends up just being 'the interpreter'."
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