Swet Columns
June 26, 2025
From the Trenches: Monk or Priest?
SWET member and Zen priest Jiho Sargent wrote about the difference between monk and priest in her commentary on a series of translations done for our “Over Their Shoulders” feature on the theme of Buddhism, persuasively arguing that we should use “priest” when referring to Buddhist clerics. The background she provides for making the distinction deserves quoting at length here.... more
May 5, 2025 *Members-only Content
SWET Financial Reports (2012 to present)
Financial Report for 2024 Expenses for the website in 2024 were modest compared to 2023, though they include support for our Zoom account, video editing for the YouTube recordings, and regular website maintenance. With the website the home base of SWET for communications, expertise sharing, and activity promotion, the security and smooth running of the site are vital to the society.... more
November 10, 2024
Dealing with AI Usage in University Writing Classes
By R. Paul Lege
While there are advantages and disadvantages to allowing some use of AI tech in completing assignments, trying to establish an actual boundary as to what constitutes improper usage is becoming harder to nail down (especially as AI evolves). The problem is particularly acute because AI has taken over the once useful corrective software tools on the market... more
July 6, 2024
Event Report: Fifth East Asian Translation Studies Conference
The fifth East Asian Translation Studies conference was held at the University of Queensland on June 26–28, with a mixture of on-site and online participants. The conference kicked off with a keynote speech by Professor Min-hua Liu from Hong Kong Baptist University titled “Is There an Aptitude for Interpreting beyond Bilingualism?” The second keynote was by Professor Clint... more
April 29, 2024
EVENT REPORT: Owning Your Personal Brand
By Monique Bae
Tucked in the back of the bustling Book House Cafe in Jinbocho on March 29 were 10 people enjoying a two-hour workshop held by Ruth P. Stevens, a founding member of SWET and a globally recognized marketing professional and adjunct professor at NYU Stern. In “Building Your Personal Brand as a Freelance Professional,” Stevens provided tips on how to... more
December 28, 2023
Highlights of 2023
While we have been busy crafting with words, learning about ChatGPT and the Japanese government’s new invoice system, keeping our equipment up to date, meeting deadlines, and keeping abreast of our email, now we find that another year is upon us. SWET started 2023 in its usual laid-back fashion, but the questions arising and alarms sounding over large language... more