Readings on Japanese-to-English Translation

Excerpts from the introduction:

This anthology was born out of the desire for something to read simply about Japanese-to-English translation—not “translation studies,” not translation among Indo-European or Romance Languages, not even about translation from English (or other languages) into Japanese—but just about translation from Japanese to English (J–E). In the huge world of translation, which in the twenty-first century may finally be recognized for the vital profession that it is, the J-E niche deserves its own literature. The articles in this volume may be a start in bringing such reading together and strengthening its voice.

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Reading about translation will not teach you how to translate. You can only learn by doing it. J-E translation has been much facilitated by the Internet and other technical advances achieved in recent years. Vast sums have been spent in the attempt to have machines do the drudgery, but for translation of most writing in Japanese, only a human being will do. That is something to embrace and celebrate. There will never any real shortcuts for the translator; only tools for awakening and enlivening the “alchemy” of the mind that makes it possible. As we tackle the fascinations and difficulties, however, the enthusiasm and passion of these authors can be both useful and encouraging.