Just saw a request on the JETAA DC yahoogroup for electronic dictionary recommendations. That seems like a good question to throw out to the JET and JET alum community. So please post your recommendations in the comments section of this post, or send an email to jetwit [/at/] jetwit [/dot/] com.
Yoroshiku!
WIT Life #55: 侍への憧れ
Anecdote Article, Japan Trends, Reviews, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life 
Comments Off on WIT Life #55: 侍への憧れ
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Translator/Interpreter/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together w
ith her own observations.
Last night I attended the North American premiere of Goemon, a movie portraying this titular folk hero who was known as the Robin Hood of Japan. It takes place during the Warring States period, and some prominent historical figures who appear are Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is interesting to see Eguchi Yosuke, usually seen in lighter fare such as dramas, as the title character of legendary ninja bandit Ishikawa Goemon. Hirosue Ryoko, another drama veteran, is featured in the role of Princess Chacha whom Goemon spent his early years protecting. The movie’s plot is almost entirely fictional, and displays many dazzling special effects in a CGI-enhanced fantasy setting. The director, Kiriya Kazuaki, hails from my JET hometown of Kumamoto and is the former husband of Utada Hikaru.
During the course of the film, Goemon’s attendant talks of his aspirations to become a samurai and steadily working his way up to achieve this recognition. As the title of this post (samurai e no agokare or “longing for samurai“) suggests, the appeal of samurai has not been lost in this modern day and age. Recently various media have been Read More
Event: Professional Japanese-English Conference for Translators (Osaka)
Career, Events, Networking, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Event: Professional Japanese-English Conference for Translators (Osaka)
Thanks to Richard Sadowsky of the Japan Association of Translators (JAT) (日本翻訳者協会) for passing this on:
PROJECT Osaka: Professional Japanese-English Conference for Translators
Sat. 28th November 2009
Admission: Students: 4000 Yen, JAT Members: 5000 Yen, Non-Members: 6000 Yen
PROJECT Osaka is a one-day conference on translation organized by the Japan Association of Translators (JAT) (日本翻訳者協会) for experienced translators to share knowledge about the profession of translation with aspiring translators or those at the beginning stages of their careers.
PROJECT Osaka is the second in a series of one-day events for translators, following upon a successful PROJECT Tokyo held on Nov. 22, 2008, which attracted a full-capacity 250 participants.
The PROJECT Osaka theme is “Starting Out and Moving Up” and the format consists of mostly panel sessions with several speakers and a moderator who welcomes questions and comments from the audience.
More details about the content will be made available on this website.
Job: Translation for Uesugi USA (Kent, WA)
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized Comments Off on Job: Translation for Uesugi USA (Kent, WA)
Via JETAA Pacific Northwest. Yes, it’s only in Japanese, which means if you can’t read it then it’s really not for you anyway. :-)
Job announcement. Please direct all inquiries to Uesugi USA, Inc.
Uesugi USA, Inc., 6647 S. 216th St. Bldg D, Kent, WA 98032 P: (425)679-0660 F: (425)283-5530
「事業内容」 リサイクル可能な資源の収集運搬・選別・販売事業
「求人者仕事内容」 営業活動・企業への収集運搬（トラック運転）・倉庫内
での選別作業
応募資格
「要求される能力 / 職務経験」
・ 5年以上の営業業務の実務経験がある方
・ ビジネスレベルの英語と日本語能力がある方
・ ビジネスレベルの英語と日本語の文章力がある方
・ 高いコミュニケーション能力がある方
・ 運転免許がある方
「勤務時間」
・ 午前8：00～午後5：00 月曜日－金曜日
・ 休業に適応させる祝日‐New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, After Thanksgiving Day, Christmas
「勤務地」
・ ケント / ワシントン州
「予定月給」
・$3000～$4000（経験によって
Job: Multiple Japanese translators needed
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: Multiple Japanese translators needed
Job opening received direct from DSG:
DSG, a Clinical Software and Services provider of technologies for the pharmaceutical industry, is seeking multiple Japanese Translators to assist with a large project.
This is a work from home position
Job Description: The selected candidates will work on translations from English to Japanese using Microsoft Excel.
Requirements
- Candidates should be Native Speakers/Writers in Japanese or should have equivalent skiils. Writing skills is a must.
- Candidates should be fluent in English at a Business level
- Candidates must be familiar with Microsoft Excel
- Candidates must be able to type in Japanese
- Knowledge/experience in the medical, pharmaceutical and IT industries a plus
Company Profile
Since 1992, Document Solutions Group’s goal has been to create intuitive software solutions that improve efficiencies and produce significant cost savings for over 200 life science clients while providing unparalleled customer service. We have created better, more reliable solutions dramatically changing the way our customers collect and manage clinical trial data. Our software and services not only expedite trials to bring drugs and devices to market faster, they achieve significant cost-savings and deliver enterprise-wide benefits.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ilisha Smith
Corporate Recruiter
DSG, Inc.
325 Technology Drive | Malvern, PA 19355
Office: +1 484-913-2148
Fax: +1 484-913-0238
Job: Write and post ads in Japanese on a message board (Japan)
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: Write and post ads in Japanese on a message board (Japan)
JET alum Kirk Akahoshi, a Life Coach based in Los Angeles (www.QuarterlifeCrisisCoach.com), shared the following job listing from his friend Yan:
Paid Contract Gig Available: Looking for someone in Japan – or someone able to write very well in Japanese – to post ads on message board and follow up with email inquiries. If you or someone you know is interested – let me know!
To apply, contact: Yan <ybudman@hotmail.com> (If you apply, Kirk says feel free to mention his name. JetWit says to feel free to mention JetWit too.)
Job: Japanese legal doc review and translation (NYC)
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: Japanese legal doc review and translation (NYC)
A need for Japanese-speaking attorneys in NYC via Update, Inc., a legal staffing firm. (FYI, I actually I did a Japanese review project through Update years ago.)
Our client is a large law firm in NYC looking for admitted attorneys who are fluent in Japanese. The responsibilities includes both direct translation and conducting document review and is supposed to last 3-4 weeks in duration.
Contact: Christina M. Lujan| Legal Placement Manager | Update, Inc.; 1140 Avenue of the Americas, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10036
Tel. 212-921-2200 clujan@updatelegal.com
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends togeth
er with her own observations.
Last night I was able to attend a private screening of the intriguing documentary Samurai Umpires in the U.S.A. Executive producer/director Takayuki Tanaka is a Japanese native who conceptualized the idea for his film while studying at the New York Film Academy. His work focuses on six Japanese baseball umpires working in the minor leagues with dreams of making it to the Majors.
This all-male group ranges in age and umpiring experience, and the movie delves into Read More
Job: Japanese-English interpreter needed for DC conference in November!
Jobs, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Job: Japanese-English interpreter needed for DC conference in November!
Via JETAA DC yahoogroup:
Please pass this to anyone you know who might be interested. People can reply to Clare at TRAK directly; her email address is below.
TRAK Conference Services is looking for a conference worker who speaks fluent Japanese to interpret at an engineering conference November 2nd – 6th in DC. The conference could start as early as 7:00 AM with an hourly rate around $13/hour. The translator must be extremely professional and able to roll with the punches. Please send your resumes to Clare at clare.edwards@trakservices.com!
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Last night at Japan Society I had the chance to catch a sneak preview of the American movie version of the Japanese manga series “Testuwan Atomu,”
known here in the States as Astro Boy. This wide-eyed, spiky haired superhero has a huge following both here and at home, and his Hollywood debut was greatly anticipated. Though I had never seen the original series, which based on a manga became an anime first in Japan and then here in 1963, I truly enjoyed the Western interpretation of the life of this legendary icon.
The voices were provided by a star-studded cast including Read More
WIT Life #52: Manifesto Woes
Anecdote Article, Article/Journalism, Japan Trends, Translating/Interpreting, WIT Life Comments Off on WIT Life #52: Manifesto Woes
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
The Manifesto is the imposing name of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ)’s platform for its new government, one that promises to “put people’s lives first.” In order to accomplish this, its five pledges are the end of wasteful spending, childrearing and education, pension and medical care, regional sovereignty and employment and the economy. Although great in theory, new Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama is realizing that these goals are easier to state than actually carry out. Japanese ministries and agencies asked to spend a record 95.04 trillion yen ($1 trillion) next fiscal year, risking expansion of the world’s largest public debt.
This creates the issue of whether the DPJ can fulfill its election pledges without worsening an already significant debt burden. In response to this, Fujisankai carried out Read More
Japan Association of Translators Manhattan mixer – Oct 30
Career, Events, Networking, Translating/Interpreting Comments Off on Japan Association of Translators Manhattan mixer – Oct 30
Professional translator Terry Gallagher shared another good event for translators with JetWit, this one via the honyaku Google Group:
As part of its ongoing efforts to develop an international presence, foster new talent, and connect with peer organizations, the Japan Association of Translators (JAT) will be sponsoring a mixer in Manhattan on Friday, October 30, 2009, for veteran and aspiring translators/interpreters alike. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to network, find out more about JAT, and socialize with other translators/interpreters in the big city….Non-members are most welcome. Cash bar, with partial subsidy from JAT.
WHEN: Friday, October 30
Starting: 10:30 PM (after the traditional Friday night JLD dinner
[http://groups.google.com/group/honyaku/browse_thread/thread/c153d891486ac1c8])
Ending: During ATA’s Annual Conference (?)
[https://www.atanet.org/conf/2009/sessionschedule.php#5]
WHERE: Press Box (932 Second Ave., between 49th and 50th Streets)
[http://www.thepressboxnyc.com/index2.html]
Signup (by 10/26; and for last-minute notices/updates):
http://jat.org/2009/10/16/jat-new-york-mixer-oct-30-2009/
Feel free to pass the word on, and hope to see you there!
ニューヨークでJATネットワークパーティを実施します。 会員・非会員を問わず、翻訳に興味のある方ならどなたでもご参加いただけます。 翻訳未経験者の方にとってはベテラン翻訳者と交流する絶好の機会です。
日時: １０月３０日（金） 10:30pm～
場所: The Press Box (http://www.thepressboxnyc.com/index2.html)
参加費: 一部JATが負担。追加分はキャッシュバー。
参加希望者は、１０月２６日（月） までに
[http://jat.org/2009/10/16/jat-new-york-mixer-oct-30-2009/]
へご予約お願いいたします。
American Translators Association Annual Conference in NYC Oct 30
Career, Events, Networking, Translating/Interpreting, Uncategorized Comments Off on American Translators Association Annual Conference in NYC Oct 30
Professional translator Terry Gallagher shared the following with JetWit:
The American Translators Association holds its annual conference in NYC at the end of this month. It includes a dinner for the Japanese language division, which will be on Friday, Oct. 30 at IL Punto Ristorante, 507 Ninth Ave.
Contact person is Mina Seat, minaseat [/at/] gmail [/dot/] com More info here: https://www.atanet.org/conf/2009/
Cost is $53. It might be late to sign up, but it was an open invitation, and you might still be able to talk your way in. There will be lots and lots of working translators/interpreters there, and you might be able to pick up a bunch of new ideas.
Two “translating” events at the Donald Keene Center at Columbia University
Academic, Events, Translating/Interpreting, Writers Comments Off on Two “translating” events at the Donald Keene Center at Columbia University
Via Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999), Assistant Director at the Donald Keene Center on Japanese Culture at Columbia University. To get on their e-mail list for future events, send an e-mail to donald-keene-center at columbia dot edu.
1. “Translation and its Postcolonial Discontents: Controversy over Toma Seita’s Reading of Kim Soun’s Japanese Translation of Korean Poetry in Postwar Japan”
October 14th, 2009 (Wednesday) 5:30-7:00 PM; Serk-bae Suh (University of California-Irvine); Location: 403 Kent Hall, Columbia University (116th St. and Amsterdam Avenue) http://www.keenecenter.org/content/view/100/126/#oct14
2. “What Will Be Almost Permanently Lost in Translation? A Cognitive Linguistic View”
November 5th, 2009 (Thursday) 4:00-5:30 PM; Seiichi Makino (Princeton University); Location: 569 Lerner Hall, Columbia University (114th St. and Broadway) http://www.keenecenter.org/content/view/100/126/#nov
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). Recently she’s been watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends togethe
r with her own observations.
Time.com featured an interesting article today about how ANA is encouraging its customers to utilize restroom facilities before coming on board in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. With lighter loads, planes would have reduced fuel consumption and therefore less impact on the environment. A great idea in theory, but as the article mentioned questionable as to how successful it will be in practice. Also, interestingly enough the pre-flight announcement with the request is only in Japanese, so those who do not speak the language might not know what is being asked.
Reading about this endeavor got me thinking about how my own attitude toward the environment and my habits subsequently changed as a result of my time living in Japan. I remember one of the first things that surprised me Read More
