Japanese Interpreting Practice (Level 2)

Author: Lu Liudi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features:
· National Implementation
· Authoritative
· Unified Certification
· Incorporated into the National Vocational Qualification System
· Targeting the Entire Society
· Holders of the certificate can be appointed corresponding positions based on their level
· After the implementation of unified certification, translation professional qualification review will no longer be conducted nationwide
This textbook is divided into 16 lessons, each focusing on a specific theme. These themes are mostly derived from our interpretation practice, hence the "combative" flavor of practical exercises, while also reflecting the on-site feel of consecutive or simultaneous interpretation. They include: ceremonial speeches, tourism and sightseeing, culture and education, health preservation, environmental protection, business activities, economic and trade, finance and securities, corporate culture, social focus, legal consultation, global forums (global warming), high technology, current affairs, international relations, and Japanese forums.
Each lesson of Japanese Interpretation Practice (Level 2) consists of seven modules:
1. Related Vocabulary
According to the content of each lesson, vocabulary directly or indirectly related to the text is listed under I. Basic Vocabulary and II. Practical Vocabulary. Each category includes 16 Japanese and Chinese words, plus 4 additional words specific to the lesson, along with 5 frequently occurring words. This helps students flexibly apply basic and frequently used practical vocabulary during interpretation, driven by predictive skills.
2. Interpretation Practice
Each lesson includes one Japanese-Chinese interpretation exercise, with a length of approximately 1,000–1,500 words. To further highlight the characteristics of interpretation, we have primarily used conference articles with a speech-like tone to distinguish them from purely written translation texts. Since the exercises are introduced in a passage format, students are required to divide them into paragraphs (marked by the book's central "∥" symbol) and practice them repeatedly in class or self-study. If possible, memorizing them after achieving fluent translation would be even better.
3. Reference Translation
Provided for readers to compare and reference. We encourage readers to translate based on their own understanding. If their translations surpass the reference versions, our use of the word "reference" would be even more justified.
4. Difficult-to-Translate Sentences
This section aims to inform readers or interpreters that regardless of the translation context, they will inevitably encounter challenging sentences to a varying degree. This requires translators to prepare pre-translation plans and possess the skill to handle such situations with ease.
5. Star Interpretation Training
The Star Interpretation Method refers to the practice of translating the same sentence or passage in multiple ways in bilingual conversion. In this textbook, we focus primarily on Chinese-to-Japanese translation. This is reflected in various mutual translation methods, including word selection, sentence structure conversion, and linguistic sense. The main approach involves providing two to three different translation options to demonstrate the flexibility, diversity, and conciseness of interpretation language in real-time decision-making. Through this training and guidance, we hope to remind interpreters to avoid word-for-word or sentence-for-sentence translation and instead learn to express the same meaning in multiple ways, mastering a rich and varied range of interpretation techniques to enhance their adaptability.
6. Interpretation Analysis
While not entirely original, this section reflects the heartfelt insights of an interpreter. We evaluate the text from the perspectives of language skills, tone, and attitude, as well as translation techniques, ethical standards, and interpretation guidelines. In particular, the accurate translation of Chinese characters in Chinese and kanji in Japanese directly impacts the quality of Japanese interpretation. Here, we provide targeted explanations and simple summaries to inspire further exploration.
7. Exercises for Out-of-Class Practice
Additional practical exercises are provided around each theme, offering readers a wealth of material for reference and training. Through repeated practice and comprehension, we hope to see more suitable translations emerge.