WITLife #5 – Keeping up on the Japanese news
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03).
Starting with this post I thought I’d introduce a more behind the scenes aspect of WIT life, that being the preparation and work that takes place when I am not traveling or working on an assignment.
In order to keep my Japanese skills sharp, besides conversing with native speakers (don’t be afraid to ask to be corrected!) I enjoy the daily programming of Fujisankei. In particular, the news airing at 7 a.m. (rebroadcast at 10) every weekday morning is especially insightful for keeping up to date on what’s going on in Japan and beyond, and how certain concepts would be expressed in Japanese.
An essential part of being a translator/interpreter is knowing the correct vocabulary for recent phenomenon, as these are words that change with the times and require constant updating of your brain. For example, in Japan the collapse of our economic institutions is referred to as Read More
WINNER: Meredith Hodges-Boos (Ehime-ken, Uwajima-shi, Yoshida-cho, 2003-05)
Translators Mini-Challenge is a new arbitrarily recurring feature presented by professional translator, interpreter and writer Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999).
Welcome to this week’s JetWit Translators Mini-Challenge! The first person to respond by email to jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com with the correct English translation of the below Japanese term will win a free Gaijin-a-Go-Go CD (Go-Go Bootcamp)!
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すかすか
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CORRECT ANSWER: “Hollow”
Stay tuned for the next Mini-Challenge! You never know when we’ll strike again!
WIT Life #4 – Airport security and death row
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WITLife is a series by Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03).
My most recent assignment with the State Department had me doing simultaneous interpreting for a group of six officials from Japan’s central government.
They all came from different ministries ranging from Justice to Finance to Health (one of whose former officials was just murdered along with his wife in a recent high profile case). It was neat to talk to the participant from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (aka MEXT), who met his wife in the workplace (when she was a tantousha for the JET Programme) and to hear stories from her experience traveling to promote it.
The trip was a success but was book-ended by two harrowing experiences. When the group arrived the day Read More
JetWit note: You must live in the Seattle area do be able to do this job. No telecommuting. Sorry for any confusion.
From the JETAA Pacific Northwest email list:
CHRISTOPHER HARRISON
Aerotek Professional Services, Inc.
* E-mail: chharris@aerotek. com
Our client, is the acknowledged worldwide leader in the creation of interactive entertainment, is looking for 5 Japanese Translators. In this role this person will be will be centered around Fashion and Pop culture (It’s a fun opportunity for anyone that has an interest in Fashion or has a keen fashion sense). The translation piece will be centered around in-game dialogue describing styles and items, accessories etc. Candidates must have a Level 1 certification in Japanese translating. Anyone with a Fashion writing background is great! If you’re interested please contact Chris Harrison at 425 893 6049 or by email chharris@aerotek. com
Kia’s Homemade Bake Sale!
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Professional translator, interpreter and writer Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999) is making homemade sweets and baked goods for pick-up or delivery in NYC and Jersey City right out of her home for the holiday season.
Go to www.homemadebakesale.com to place an order.
JET alum photos from Obama-shi, Fukui-ken Celebration
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JET alum professional translator Philip Schnell happened to be in Japan at the time of Obama’s presidential victory, decided to drop in on Obama-shi and stumbled into the surreal experience of a Japanese Obama watch/victory party.
Click here to see more of his photos.
Noriko Furuhata, the JET Coordinator at the Consulate General of Japan in New York, recently explained to me the term shiwasu, which literally means “teachers run around” and refers to December being an extremely busy month as everyone tries to finish up everything they need to do before year’s end.
Feel free to post comments if you have additional perspective on this term.
I’m just wondering how I made it through 3+ years in Japan and 7 years of JET alumni involvement without ever previously hearing about this. :-)
Translators Mini-Challenge is a new arbitrarily recurring feature presented by professional translator, interpreter and writer Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999).
Update: The winner is Lee-Sean Huang (Oita-ken, 2003-06)
Welcome to the first-ever JetWit Translators Mini-Challenge! The first person to respond by email to jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com with the correct English translation of the below Japanese term will win a free Gaijin-a-Go-Go CD (Go-Go Bootcamp)!
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凸凹（でこぼこ）
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ANSWER: uneven, rough, rugged, bumpy
Stay tuned for the next Mini-Challenge!
Job: Position Opening at the Japan-America Society (D.C.)
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Position Opening at the Japan-America Society
Mon Dec 1, 2008 7:25 pm (PST)
Japan-America Society Seeks an Assistant for the 2009 Japan Bowl
The Japan-America Society is now taking applications for a temporary position opening from mid-January to mid-April 2009 to assist the Director of the National Japan Bowl to prepare and run the 2009 competition. Read More
Job: Translation – Japanese to English – Alexandria, VA
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Just saw this today on Craigslist (DC). It’s a day old so apologies for the delay.
Japanese to English Book Translation Needed (Alexandria)
Reply to: gigs-937752679@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-29, 8:06AM EST
I have a Japanese craft book about lamp-making. It contains 115pgs with many how-to pictures and directions. I need this book translated within 2 months. I will consider offers and am willing to send a scan or two of the book when requested. Thank you.
Translation Resources
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I’ve been following a blog called Translation-Language-Culture (www.translationlanguageculture.com) written by a guy named Werner Patel, and I noticed a nice recent post about online resources for translators that I thought was worth sharing.
Werner specializes in English-German translation and is a Canadian citizen, though the blog addresses translation issues from a general perspective.
I’d be interested in hearing what JetWit readerst think of the site, especially any info or perspectives that might be particularly helpful to the JET/JET alum community.
Send any comments to jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
Job: Entry level economic correspondent for major Japanese newspaper (DC)
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This just in from JETAA DC:
Job at Major Japanese Newspaper Bureau
Tue Nov 25, 2008 3:06 pm
The JET Office in DC just got word of a job opening at a Japanese newspaper’s DC bureau. Not sure yet which newspaper it is for, but if you have questions, please contact Ms. Oya, whose contact info is at the bottom of this message.
Job Title: Entry-level Economic Correspondent
Job Category: Editing/Writing
# of Openings: 1
Job Description / Qualifications: DC office of Major Japanese newspaper company seeks an Entry-level reporter on economic/financial news. Must have bachelor’s degree or higher in Economics or related field or equivalent job experience. Advanced English and Japanese language skills in speaking, writing and reading absolutely necessary.
Location: Washington DO.CO. (Washington DO.CO.)
Salary: Up to 40K(DOE)
Job Type: Permanent Job Preference: Full-Time
Visa Sponsor: Yes
Languages: English: Business Level, Japanese: Native Level
Anyone who is interested in this position can send your resume to Ms.
Madoka Oya moya /atto/ actus-usa /dotto/ com .
Chopsticks NY – Latest issue now available online
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I just picked up the latest issue of Chopsticks New York at Cafe Zaiya on 41st St. between 5th Ave & Madsion, which means that it’s now also available online. (FYI, Chopsticks New York is the English language magazine with the cool cover art published by Trend Pot (which also publishes New York Japion, the Japanese language weekly free newspaper).
It’s also worth noting that freelance writers/interpreters/translators Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999) and Stacy Smith (CIR Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03) are both frequent contributors to the magazine (though their bylines are not always shown). In the current issue, I think Kia wrote the “Ask the Beauty Guru” and in the upcoming January issue Stacy will have an item on hai chu as well as a restaurant review of Saburi.
Job Listing: JetWit
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JetWit is looking for people to help with the following jobs (which are unpaid for now):
1. Ad Sales – One or two people to pursue and follow up with leads for potential advertisers.
2. Updater – One or two people to send out a daily or periodic email update to an email grouplist with links to the latest posts. Room to be creative if you want.
3. Job Listings – One or two people to help me gather and post relevant job listings.
4. Other – If you have other ideas for ways to help, feel free to email with suggestions/proposals.
Among other things, JetWit is intended to be a way to help JET alums get some work experience, even if you don’t have a job, whether writing, translating, business or other experience. A way around the catch-22 of needing experience to get a job but being unable to get a job without experience.
Feel free to get in touch to discuss more. Contact: jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
NDD (Nihongo Dake Dinner) Southern Cali Style
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From JETAA Southern California. (Not that you’re going to fly in to LA just for the event, but I think it’s interesting to see how different chapters do their versions of the nihongo dake dinner.)
It’s time for another NDD! For those not familiar with the NDD (Nihongo Dake Dinner = Japanese Only Dinner), it’s a chance to meet up and practice your great Japanese ability. But whatever your ability, all levels of Japanese are welcome. Whew! We will start with a potluck dinner at about 6pm, and continue with fun and games ’till the early morn!
The NDD will be on Dec 6th in San Gabriel. Co-President Christine Chow has volunteered her house for the event, so let’s thank her with a great genki turnout. For those coming from afar, or for those who drink a little too much, she welcomes anyone who would like to stay over to do so. Directions will be provided to those who RSVP.
To RSVP, please reply to jim /atto/ jetaasc /dotto/ org with NDD RSVP in the subject, and note:
-What food you will bring for the potluck (salad/appetizer, entree, dessert); your city/ken’s “famous” dish is most welcome!
-2 interesting things about your home/host prefecture in Japan
-Your favorite J-music singer/group
-If you are interested in carpooling and where you’ll be coming from
Hope to see you there! NDD de aimashou!!
Jim Smith, ’08-09 JETAASC Co-President
P.S. This is NOT the bonenkai. Details for that are coming!
