The Routledge Course in Japanese Translation

by Yoko Hasegawa

The Routledge Course in Japanese Translation brings together for the first time material dedicated to the theory and practice of translation to and from Japanese. This one semester advanced course in Japanese translation is designed to raise awareness of the many considerations that must be taken into account when translating a text. As students progress through the course they will acquire various tools to deal with the common problems typically involved in the practice of translation. Particular attention is paid to the structural differences between Japanese and English and to cross-cultural dissimilarities in stylistics. Essential theory and information on the translation process are provided as well as abundant practical tasks. The Routledge Course in Japanese Translation is essential reading for all serious students of Japanese at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Genres: Nonfiction, Japanese Literature, Language, Linguistics, How To, Japan, Academic

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Emma Mortensen]

Read for school

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good for people interested in Japanese language and the translation process. Hasegawa uses lots of examples to back her points from actual translated texts which is useful as you can see how it is applied practically but I think that I would have liked a few more practice exercises as well.

[Alejandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Cicero writes, "If I render words for word, the result will sound uncouth, and if compelled by necessity I alter anything in the order or wording, I shall seem to have departed from the function of a translator".

El manual de traducción desde el japonés al inglés de Hasegawa supone un soplo de aire fresco a un idioma con un historial relativamente reciente de tanto traducciones indirectas como erróneas como es el japonés. En este libro, necesario en la biblioteca de quien tenga un interés por la lingüística del japonés, se exponen desde la misma base de forma simultánea la teoría y la práctica de la traducción, las cuales se entrelazan en forma de explicación y ejercicios con respuestas al final de sus páginas. A lo largo de los capítulos de este libro, Hasegawa explica los diferentes matices propios del japonés, aporta consejos para su adaptación natural al inglés y señala problemáticas comunes propias de esta combinación idiomática.

El libro está recomendado para gente que tenga un nivel intermedio-alto de japonés (la autora recomienda un N2 holgado), aunque la parte teórica es disfrutable igualmente para estudiantes con un nivel inferior. Mi nota es de un 4.5, aunque reconozco que me ha faltado un apartado más extenso para la traducción de todo lo relacionado con el keigo (敬語) y adaptación del lenguaje honorífico, más allá de unas breves líneas en uno de los capítulos.

[Juzefa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good resource for academics.

[Villads Lakmann Madsbøll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read full of examples, but lacks theory about "markedness"

[mkmk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it for class. Very helpful!

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the only extensive guides to translating Japanese that is written in English. While it does read a little like a college text book (because it is one) it is a great resource material for anyone who hasn't had formal training in translation.