Swet Columns

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

The History of SWET

The late 1970s were years of growth and ferment in English-language book and periodical publishing in Japan. Book publishers Charles E. Tuttle, Inc., John Weatherhill, Kodansha International, and the University of Tokyo Press released dozens of new volumes in English annually. Japan Echo, the Japan Interpreter, and Japan Quarterly published high-quality Japanese journalism and writing in English translation. Four daily... more

Translator Tuesdays Reports

These quick reports (beginning with August) of the hour-long online meetups held starting in March 2024 on the first Tuesday of each month are contributed by Daniel Morales, moderator, following the close of each session. The reports appear with the most recent at the top. See Upcoming Events on the SWET website top page for the topics of upcoming meetups.

December... more

Latest SWET Financial Report (and earlier)

Financial Report for 2023

In 2023, the major expense for SWET was the long-awaited rebuild of the SWET website to be mobile responsive. Previously, the website used graphic images for colored headers, and on a smartphone the site would appear in tiny print that needed to be expanded and shifted around to read. Thanks to the programming skills of ResourceCode, now... more

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

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