Swet Columns
November 8, 2016
Teaching Translation
SWET Presentation by Susan E. Jones Sept. 25, 2016 Report by Don Todt
If you’re a female college student in Japan who’s interested in becoming a translator, Susan E. Jones wants you prepared.
In fact, she’s so intent on accomplishing this goal that she’s spent the last ten years developing a course in teaching translation at Kobe College (神戸女学院大学).
Japan’s low birthrate has caused a... more
December 1, 2015
Collaborating and Mentoring for Writers, Editors, and Translators
Notes on November 20, 2015 SWET Talk Shop
SWET members gathered on November 20th at the Books on Japan library in Jinbocho, Tokyo, to hear tips on collaboration from freelance writer Winifred Bird, and to discuss the possibility of establishing a mentoring program within SWET. The conversation meandered into the growing importance of social media, at which point several participants suggested... more
May 12, 2015
An Encouragement of Style Sheets
Setting your style—for the words in a document, book, report, newsletter, journal, website, or whatever you are working on—gives the product polish and professionalism. For an organization, a good in-house style sheet helps settle arguments authoritatively and expedites the little decisions that have to be made every day. Published style guides provide reliable and time-tested rules for most basic style... more
March 16, 2015
EVENT REPORT - SWET Shop Talk: Translation Quandaries
February 18, 2015 (Wednesday), Books on Japan Library, Jinbocho
Ten people gathered around the large table at the Books on Japan Library in Jinbocho for the February SWET Shop Talk, some with sandwich/onigiri and drink in hand as we introduced ourselves. Four present were completely new to SWET, though had clearly been involved in “wordsmithing” work for years in... more
March 16, 2015
EVENT REPORT - Walk ’n Write in Kyoto: A SWET Event with Rebecca Otowa
March 1, 2015, Kyoto
Excited to be part of a walking, writing, and sharing event led by Rebecca Otowa, author of At Home in Japan and My Awesome Japan Adventure, I was one of the eight people who gathered in the rain on March 1 in the shadow of the beautiful gate of Heian Shrine. Although we had prepared... more
August 1, 2014
SWET’s Presence at IJET-25 in Tokyo
On June 21-22, 2014, the Japan Association of Translators (JAT) held its 25th annual International Japanese-English Translators’ Conference (IJET) at Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan. A total of 560 people registered—the most in IJET’s history. The SWET Steering Committee thought it the perfect opportunity to advertise our organization to fellow wordsmiths who had gathered from Europe, Australasia, and the... more