Job Discussion Forums

TransientTefler · Joined: 07 Aug 2015 Posts: 16

How hard is it to get into and make a living from J to E translation instead of doing teaching (provided you already have JLPT Level N1)?

TransientTefler · Joined: 07 Aug 2015 Posts: 16

No one does any translation?

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

I doubt it's such a steady and lucrative career, especially if you are older with no real experience in this field. I know a Japanese woman living in Spain with a decade of experience translating from Spanish-Japanese and vice versa; sometimes she has good periods and other times, well, it's not so good.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

One Japanese translator I know works for a translation company that deals with technical writing. One Canadian I know supplements his income with translation of non fiction books. They told me they can't make much relying on translation work.

hivans · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 51 Location: fukuoka

I have sort of transitioned into translating and editing (although I am not freelance) but I think there was quite a bit of good luck involved, so I would not want to say that my experiences are a good guide for others.

I belong to the Japan Association of Translators (http://jat.org/), so I have some general impressions on the translation area. Their web site might be an interesting place to look if you want to go into this line.

As others have said, for the generalist translator, things can be a bit hit and miss. There are certainly some people who do well (perhaps a minority?), but I think it can be quite a competitive area, partly because the large number of English native speakers who have come to Japan over the years means there is a quite a big pool of people ready to give translation a go.

However, things could be rosier if you have an in-demand specialization, like patents or medical translation or something like that. But it takes quite a lot of work and commitment to master a specialized field. I think you have to remember it's about much more than just Japanese reading ability, important though that is.

People with more than two languages (e.g. English<>Japanese<>Chinese, or perhaps a combination of these with German) are in a better position, especially if they are interpreters, I feel.

It might be worth thinking about editing and proofreading work too. That can work out better if you have a specialized field (in fact, I believe quite a few people combine translating and editing in their own chosen area).

In summary, I can only really offer advice based on a collection of anecdotal evidence, but I think it would pay to specialize if you decide to go down the translating/editing route

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

The Canadian I mentioned has a 25 year career in martial arts, and translates scholarly works on the arts, besides translating IT technical material.

He says you need a lot more than just bilingualism to do the job, like hivans says.

I've interpreted works on martial arts, too, and got a lot of satisfaction from it. I also help foreign press with multilingual interpretation when they visit our dojo (I can handle English, Japanese, German and French). I was assigned to assist a German TV crew with one of our martial arts masters. It opened my eyes to how many skills you need - everything from negotiating cultural differences, to fielding questions in three languages to climbing trees with a cameraman.

hivans · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 51 Location: fukuoka

That sounds like an interesting story, TokyoLiz.

I wonder, have you considered looking for some interpreter assignments at the Tokyo Olympics? It seems like you would be very well qualified, and I imagine it would be an unforgettable experience.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

My job, martial training and other pursuits keep me very busy. And I'll be as far as I can get from the Olympics, and watch it on tv.

Inflames · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 486

It's not really worth it - not only is translation really boring, you're pretty much only ever going to be a translator unless you work your way into something else (you'll almost never get promoted to something beyond a translator at the same company).

TransientTefler · Joined: 07 Aug 2015 Posts: 16

TransientTefler · Joined: 07 Aug 2015 Posts: 16

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

kpjf · Joined: 18 Jan 2012 Posts: 385

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

I met a man from Bilbao who worked as a translator.
You need to be at 1kyu plus you need to know the background information in your own language and Japanese.

It is a goal that takes years. Plus you must network.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I mentioned my Japanese and foreign friends who translate. You're looking at ¥250,000 a month in good months.

The foreign guy is a scholar who supplements his income by translating.

The Japanese translator works in a company, and has lifetime employment.

What about travel writing, blogging, photography and YouTubing? These are not jobs, but they certainly are ways to supplement income while you transition.

I write on the side for small magazines, and occasionally do TV work. It's fun and gives me insight into other fields. I'm considering starting a YouTube channel this year.