Swet Columns
October 21, 1996
Repetition in Japanese vs. English
by Doreen Simmons
Once again kindly Aunt Eva is here to cluck over your problems and give you a shoulder to cry on. You take her advice at your own risk, of course; only you can gauge your own situation.
Dear Aunt Eva,
Writers of good English eschew repetition, but writers of good Japanese seem to have a much... more
May 21, 1996
English Side of Meishi to Translator
by Doreen Simmons
The foreigner in Japan has, alas, long been seen as offering an opportunity for English conversation to those brave enough to make the attempt. This attitude dates back at least to Fukuzawa Yukichi, who as a young man eagerly tried out his Dutch on the first American he met. The result of this unsuccessful encounter was to turn... more
March 20, 1996
New Editor of Quarterly; Dumbing Down
by Doreen Simmons
Need a friendly ear to pour your troubles into? A shoulder to cry on? Somebody, anybody, to whinge at? Write to Aunt Eva, who has been through it all and can share your pain. The names are changed, but the situations are real.
Today, the palmy days of the quality publishing business in Japan are over; Aunt Eva commiserates... more
January 26, 1996
Interference by Overconfident Japanese
by Doreen Simmons
Need a friendly ear to pour your troubles into? A shoulder to cry on? Somebody, anybody, to whinge at? Write to Aunt Eva, who has been through it all and can share your pain. The names are changed but the situations are real.
Dear Aunt Eva:
I work as a checker and rewriter. I thought... more
April 15, 1986
Essays on Professionalism
Five essays by veteran SWET members address aspects of professionalism, particularly in a Japanese context, among writers, editors, translators, and those in allied professions. These opinion pieces were contributed to the SWET Newsletter by (in order of appearance) Lynne E. Riggs, Suzanne Trumbull, Mark Schreiber, Fred Uleman, and again Mark Schreiber.
What It Means to Be a Professional
by Lynne E. Riggs
From... more