Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of Zorgamazoo, has reviewed all haiku submissions containing the designated word “prose“ for Haiku Challenge #2 and has selected a winner to receive a free copy of his book. Read on for his decision and rationale.
Following in the footsteps of James Kennedy (Nara-ken, 2004-06), I feel obliged to assemble a short-list of honourable mentions. I make no claims, however, as to having any insightfulness when it comes to properly appreciating haiku…
Second runner-up, for its tenderness and topicality (’tis the season, after all), we have Justin Tedaldi’s entry:
The gift was thoughtful
The letter’s prose delightful
Happy holidays
—Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02)
First runner-up, for it’s gritty natural realism, is Alexei Esikoff’s ode to the grim weather of the Midwest:
The temperature drops
Buried under slushy prose
Minneapolis
—Alexei Esikoff (Fukushima-ken, 2001-02)
Finally, the winner this week is Meredith Hodges-Boos (who had an honourable mention in the previous contest, incidentally). Her haiku appeals to my love of word play — and even manages a nifty metaphor in the meantime. Congrats, Meredith!
Take roses with ‘P’s
Mix in the ordinary
Watch word gardens grow
—Meredith Hodges-Boos (Ehime-ken, 2003-05)
Click “Read More” to see the other haiku submitted.
Job: English to Japanese – Technical (D.C.)
Jobs 
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From Craigslist DC:
English to Japanese Translation Technical Quality Control (Freelance)
Reply to: gigs-962523543@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-12-18, 9:42AM EST
We are looking for a freelance person who has experience in translating written documents from English to Japanese. Additionally, this person should be experienced enough to be able to read and understand technical documentation.
Please send your resume / experience to Jobs@legaladvantage.net and in the subject include “English to Japanese Q/C”
Please note that as a follow up we will send out a small sample with known errors and will ask potential candidates to check / correct the errors.
- it’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
- Compensation: 2 cents per word
Gaijin-a-Go-Go Interview
Interview/Profile, Japan Trends, Music Comments Off on Gaijin-a-Go-Go Interview
Gaijin-a-Go-Go band member Saiko Mikan recently shared a link to an in depth interview with the band from J-Pop World. Definitely worth a read.
Job: Cultural Assistants/English Instructors for Sakura Educational Exchange (Rockville, MD)
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Sakura Educational Exchange Job Opening
Thu Dec 18, 2008 12:38 pm (PST)
Sakura Educational Exchange USA, a nonprofit international student exchange organization in Rockville, Maryland is seeking energetic, international- minded, fun-loving, dedicated people interested in working with visiting Japanese high school students in June and/or July 2009 as Cultural Assistants and English Instructors.
If interested, please email resume and letter of interest:
Attn: Stephanie Libonati, Program Manager, Sakura Educational Exchange USA
slibonati@seeusa- ryugaku.com
Roland Kelts on NPR’s The World
Art, Article/Journalism, Audio, Books, Celebrity, Japan Trends, Roland Kelts, Writers Comments Off on Roland Kelts on NPR’s The World
Listen to Roland Kelts (Osaka, 1998-99) being interviewed on NPR’s “The World.” http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/23341 Summary below:
As a global power, Japan is fading, but increasing numbers of people outside the country are opting to learn Japanese. What’s fueling the new interest is a growing obsession with Japanese Manga comics and Japanese animation. The World’s Patrick Cox has the story.
Japan Info Newsletter – Dec. 2008
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The December 2008 edition of JapanInfo is now available. JapanInfo is published by the Consulate General of Japan in New York/Japan Information Center and is a great source of info for Japan-related things going on in New York and the surrounding area.
WITLife #10 – Creative Dating
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). In her recent posts, she’s been watching the news in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
This morning’s news profiled how the faltering economy has affected couples and their date courses. They carried out two surveys, one on how date spots have changed and one on how much money is spent per date. For the first survey, the top three answers were:
Stay at home
“Zero yen” spots
Window shopping
Many couples are seeking ways to spend time together without spending a lot of money, and as might be expected relaxing at home is the most popular method. They profiled a couple who hung out in the girl’s room while she surfed the internet and he Read More
Layoffs
Anecdote Article, Career, Networking Comments Off on Layoffs
I just heard from a JET alum who lost their relatively senior level job with a non-profit that has funding issues. I also heard from a JET alum who seems to be keeping their job but at the expense of a colleague who is being let go.
How are you doing with your job situation or your job search? E-mail jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com with your story (which will be posted anonymously).
Favorite translator – update
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On December 12 JetWit asked the question: Do you have a favorite translator?
Here are two responses received so far. Feel free to post additional comments or e-mail them to jetwit /att/ jetwit /dotto/ com:
Cheleen, Kia (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999) says:
Linda Hoaglund is one of my favorites. She is famous for doing subtitles for Japanese movies (like Kurosawa films) and she is an AMAZING interpreter as well. She has a massive vocabulary and everything she does sounds so natural. Linda doesn’t just do big-name projects — she does a lot of translation & interpreting for the arts/artists as well. Even though she grew up in Japan (to which some would say, “of COURSE she can read/write/speak Japanese”), I still think that her interpreting and translation skills are extremely polished and give the rest of us translators/ interpreters something to strive for.
Joel Dechant (CIR Kagoshima-ken, 2001-04) says:
Translators Mini-Challenge #3 – WINNER!
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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).
Omedetou gozaimashita to Joel Dechant (CIR, Kagoshima-ken, 2001-04) for winning the Translators Mini-Challenge #3.
Joel has won a copy of the Gaijin-a-Go-Go CD “Go-Go Bootcamp.”
Welcome to the JetWit Haiku Challenge! The challenge is to submit one or more haiku using the designated word. The best haiku submitted wins the prize.
This week’s challenge will be judged by Robert P. Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of Zorgamazoo, a “rhyming, rhythmical tale of Katrina, a girl with a big heart and an even bigger imagination” published this year by Penguin Books and available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Powells. You can also follow Robert on his blog wayofthewest.wordpress.com.
-
Designated word (chosen by Rob): “Prose” (you must use this word in your haiku; multiple submissions welcome)
- Deadline: Thursday, December 18, before 5:00p.m. EST
- Prize: Free copy of Zorgamazoo mailed to you.
- Form: Haiku are typically 5-7-5 and have a seasonal reference. (Though the form actually has a fair amount of flexibility.) Ultimately, Robert is the judge. If you look at his website or read a page from his book, you’ll get a pretty quick read on his sensibilities.
- E-mail responses to: jetwit /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com
Note: The winner of Haiku Challenge #1 will be announced later today. Stay tuned!
Translators Mini-Challenge #3
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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).
WINNER: JOEL DECHANT (CIR Kagoshima-ken, 2001-04)
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)!
**************
“Post-it notes”
ANSWER: 付箋 （ふせん）
**************
Stay tuned for the next Mini-Challenge! You never know when we’ll strike again!
Job: Director, Learning Abroad Center (U of Minnesota)
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Position: Director, Learning Abroad Center
Salary: Unspecified
Institution: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Location: Minnesota
Date posted: 12/15/2008 Read More
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). In her recent posts, she’s been watching the news in Japanese and sharing some of the interesting tidbits and trends along with her own observations.
While watching the Japanese news this morning, the story that headlined hit a bit close to home. It profiled a recent scandal regarding takenoko (bamboo shoots) that took place in Kumamoto City, where I served as CIR for three years.
This vegetable was being marked as “Made in Kumamoto,” when in fact supplies had come from China. Even worse, when representatives of the parent company came to visit the local supplier, Kumamoto Cannery, they made three employees pose as farmers and had them take a commemorative photo in a bamboo grove. This picture was then used on the packaging with the caption “Kumamoto Prefecture Bamboo Grove Farmers,” creating a wholesome image for a product that was different than what was being advertised. They claim that their bamboo shoots were selling so well that they had to resort to other sources as their own production couldn’t keep pace.
Food safety is a topic of immense concern in Japan, though in the beginning of the year the threat was largely from abroad. Now that the scandals are domestic in origin it will be interesting Read More
Job: Director of International Student Recruitment – Asia
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From the Chronicle of Higher Ed jobs page:
Position: Director of International Student Recruitment – Asia
Salary: Unspecified
Institution: Hobson’s
Location: Ohio
Date posted: 12/15/2008 Read More
