Swet Columns
March 9, 2016
Word Wise: Why Can’t We All Just Get On?
共生 Kyōsei
By Richard Medhurst
Look up 共生 in a J-E dictionary and you might find “symbiosis” or “coexistence,” but these rarely fit when I translate Japanese sentences. The former describes a mutual biological dependence, while the latter suggests a grudging acceptance. Take 自然と人類の共生; the ideal relationship between humanity and nature is generally described as “harmonious.” To talk of “harmony between people... more
March 9, 2016
SWET Toolbox
This column reviews tools that writers, translators, and editors can use to improve the quality of their work, as well as their time spent working—from indispensable reference books and handy apps to life-changing office furniture. Please contact Winnie at winifredabird[at]yahoo.co.jp to suggest items for review, comment on the reviews published here, or volunteer to be a guest reviewer. We launch... more
December 29, 2015
The New Self-Publishing in Japan: Seven Things You Need to Know
By Kathleen Morikawa
Since February 2013, I’ve called Zon (aka Amazon) home. Most of this galaxy’s self-publishers do. It’s a planet all our own where we try to survive, thrive and keep our books alive. Zon has many rules and many residents who try to skirt, ignore and overcome the rules. It’s a place inhabited by those who excel... 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
July 14, 2015
Bento Books: A Translator-Driven Publisher
By Avery Fischer Udagawa
Alexander O. Smith, Tony Gonzalez, and Joseph Reeder founded Bento Books in 2011 to “bring contemporary Japanese fiction to new audiences.” The company has since published titles such as Math Girls by Hiroshi Yuki, translated by Gonzalez, and Cage on the Sea by Kaoru Ohno, translated by Giles Murray. Here the cofounders respond to questions from SWET about... 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