FlyerTalk Forums

FlyerTalk Forums (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/index.php)
-   Japan (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan-509/)
-   -   Japanese interpreter needed. (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan/1978111-japanese-interpreter-needed.html)

m.photog Jul 14, 2019 10:24 pm
Japanese interpreter needed.
 
The elderly father of an acquaintance of mine has a letter hand written in Japanese. We have a shortage of Japanese interpreters here so I told her I might be able to find someone who could take on the task or make a suggestion. Any thoughts?

MSPeconomist Jul 14, 2019 10:32 pm
Try contacting the Asian Studies or East Asian Languages department of any nearby university (or perhaps even small college in a few cases) to ask for a recommendation. Graduate students are usually eager to earn a little extra money. Depending on the length of the letter and the lack of need for a formal written translation--i.e., if you just want to know what the letter says--an interested faculty member might be willing to meet with you over coffee, etc.

m.photog Jul 15, 2019 2:12 pm
I will pass that along, thanks!

jib71 Jul 15, 2019 4:07 pm
If your friend can scan the handwritten Japanese letter, you could put the job out to a freelancer online:
https://www.peopleperhour.com
https://www.fiverr.com

I would favor a native-Japanese speaker for this job, since they're more likely to be up to the challenge of dealing with handwriting and it's not a big deal if the quality of the English output isn't native level - as long as your friend's father can understand it.

(If you were translating marketing copy for publication, you'd either go for a native English speaker or pair your translator up with a great English-language copywriter ... or do neither and produce some hilarious Japlish like many Japanese companies do).

nishimark Jul 16, 2019 5:33 am
How long is the letter?

tide Jul 16, 2019 9:00 am
If you need a rough translation, perhaps you could just Google Translate it using app. App allows you to take a photo of text and if the text is reasonably legible, you might get good results.

joejones Jul 16, 2019 9:45 am
Agree with jib's comments above. You want a translator, not an interpreter. Interpreters handle speech -- they are the people wearing headsets at the UN or standing over the President's shoulder at summits. Translators handle written language. Many people who translate well can't interpret well, and vice versa.

ksandness Jul 17, 2019 7:43 am
Originally Posted by tide (Post 31309306)
If you need a rough translation, perhaps you could just Google Translate it using app. App allows you to take a photo of text and if the text is reasonably legible, you might get good results.
Ah, but not all handwritten Japanese is "reasonably legible." I agree with the suggestion to find a translator (thanks, Joe Jones!) who is a native speaker of Japanese, particularly one who has some experience with calligraphy, if the handwriting is semi-cursive.

Don't expect the person to do it for free, either.

jib71 Jul 17, 2019 8:19 am
Originally Posted by ksandness (Post 31312935)
if the handwriting is semi-cursive.
When confronted with semi-cursive, I only curse half of the time.

muji Jul 17, 2019 9:35 am
Originally Posted by nishimark (Post 31308662)
How long is the letter?
That's a good question.

I could possibly help if it's not lengthy, but I am unsure if the OP is coming back to check replies.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 6:07 pm.


This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.