August 30, 2018

Word Wise: Attention Please

注目 Chūmoku

By Richard Medhurst

I often see the phrase 注目を集める or its close counterpart 注目を浴びる translated to say that something is “attracting attention” or “drawing attention.” As 注目 means “attention” this popular rendering naturally follows. While it is not incorrect, and I use it myself at times, the English phrase is nowhere near as common in texts by native writers as the Japanese term is. There are also often more dynamic alternatives to keep your reader interested.

If your subject really is a big deal, you could say that it is “making headlines.” Perhaps, “all eyes are on” it or “the world is watching.” If looking back on the early stages of celebrity, you could talk about how your subject “rose to fame.” If you want to bring it down a notch with a more general tone, you could say that it is “generating a lot of buzz” or “in the spotlight.” Maybe “everyone’s talking about” it or it might simply have “garnered considerable interest.”

With all these possibilities (and more) available, it is a shame to stick to the same go-to translation each time. Share your suggestions and give feedback by contacting SWET or commenting on the Facebook page.

Illustration by Stuart Ayre