April 23, 2007

SWET Newsletter, Number 115

Contents

• Nurturing Literature in Translation: Chad W. Post, interview by Ginny Tapley Among initiatives aimed at stimulating interest in the English-speaking world for reading literature in translation is the work of Dalkey Archive Press and Reading the World. SWET interviewed Chad W. Post, who has been active in both these initiatives and whose career is devoted to encouraging translation and international literature.
• How We Got Here: Never a Dull Moment, by Murata Keiko A faithful member of SWET from its beginnings, Murata Keiko shares memories from her long career putting her bilingualism to use for both interpreting and translating. As her story shows, a successful career often depends as much on making the most of latent talents and good opportunities as on orthodox credentials and connections.
• SWET Events
  • “Skoal!” to SWET’s New Year, by Amy Katsurada Twenty-five convivial SWETers ushered in the New Year 2007 in Shinjuku January 28. New faces and old-timers mingled over ample food and drink at bar/restaurant Skoal. We share a glimpse of the people and conversations.
  • February Forum and Book Fair, by Lynne E. Riggs Conceived as an opportunity to give newer and potential SWET members a chance to meet veteran members and talk face to face, the February 24th SWET Resource Forum was the third event of this kind, this year combined with a Mini Book Fair to help visitors replenish their reading material. “What’s In a Page,” about page units, published in the Newsletter in 1999,  is relevant to this discussion!
• SWET Member News
  • Answers to Pet Peeves, by Roo Heins Is rewriting giving you a headache? Puzzled when your clients ask you to “challenge” their project? SWETers Jillian Yorke and Rochelle Kopp have come to your rescue with their new book, Bijinesu Eigo, Kore ga jōshiki, hijōshiki! [Business English: This Is Standard, This Is Wrong] from Sanshusha Publishing.
  • Presentations for Engineers, by Hirai Michihiro Hirai Michihiro, with an engineering and marketing background, has just published his third book, Enjinia no tame no Eigo purezentāeshon chokokufuku tekisuto [A Practical Guide to English Presentations for Engineers]. Focusing on issues facing non-native speakers who make presentations in English, it spices solid information by a dedicated wordsmith with a broad range of experience and insight with anecdotes, useful charts, and helpful hints.
• Threads on SWET-L
  • Wikipedia, Engrish, and Matters of Style, by Torkil Christensen The last half of 2006 on SWET-L found listers enlightening the community and spreading good cheer with arcane knowledge and obscured points of etiquette.
• Book Reviews
  • Mind the Gaffe!, by R. L. Trask; reviewed by Kay Vreeland
  • Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies, by June Casagrande; reviewed by Susie Schmidt