Japanese Interpreting Practice---Level 2

Author: Lu Liudi, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-08-01
Features:
· National Implementation
· Authoritative
· Unified Certification
· Incorporated into the National Vocational Qualification System
· Facing the Entire Society
· Holders of the certificate can be appointed corresponding positions according to 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 possessing the "heat of battle" in practical drills. At the same time, they reflect the on-site feel of consecutive or simultaneous interpretation. They include: etiquette and toasts, 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 and news, international relations, and a Japanese interpretation forum.
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 in-text words and 5 high-frequency words for each. This helps students flexibly use basic and high-frequency practical vocabulary during interpretation, driven by predictive skills.
2. Interpretation Practice
Each lesson includes one Japanese-Chinese interpretation and one Chinese-Japanese interpretation, with word counts ranging from 1,000 to 1,500. To further highlight the characteristics of interpretation, we have primarily used conference articles with a speech-like tone, distinguishing them from purely written translation texts. Since the lessons are introduced in a passage format, they should be segmented (marked by the book's central "∥") for repeated interpretation practice in class or self-study. If possible, memorizing them after achieving fluent translation would be even better.
3. Reference Translations
Provided for readers to compare and reference. We encourage readers to translate as per their own understanding. If their translations surpass the reference versions, our "reference" becomes even more meaningful.
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 some extent. This requires translators to prepare pre-translation plans and possess the skill to handle such situations calmly.
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 method involves providing two to three different translation options to demonstrate the flexibility, diversity, and conciseness of interpretation language in real-time. Through this training and guidance, we hope to remind interpreters to avoid literal translations and instead learn to convey the same meaning in multiple ways, mastering rich and varied 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 aspects such as language skills, tone, and attitude, as well as translation techniques, ethics, and interpretation guidelines. In particular, the accurate translation of Chinese characters in both Chinese and Japanese directly impacts the quality of Japanese interpretation. We provide targeted explanations and simple summaries to inspire further exploration.
7. Extracurricular Practice
Additional practical materials are provided around the theme for more diverse interpretation drills, allowing readers to practice and refine their skills through repeated training and comprehension. We hope to see more suitable translations emerge.