ANA to deploy onboard interpreters for Narita-Taipei flights

Wednesday 13th May, 03:51 PM JST

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

› Login to comment

Latest 15 of 23 Total Comments Show All

Samuraiiki at 11:49 AM JST - 14th May

The problem with Japan and its people is that since they never think they will travel from their planet in MARS to down here on Planet Earth, they will not need any other language than Japanese.
smithinjapan at 04:03 PM JST - 14th May

Not really surprising that they can't hire any Japanese who speak all the above, or at least the integral Chinese (let's say Mandarin for argument's sake, and since it's the language learned in schools in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, etc.). But as Cos pointed out, Asian airlines tend to limit the recruiting pool to looks more than education, so you have to hire out the brains elsewhere.

These companies need more Flight (Cabin) attendants who can speak the Chinese languages/dialects.

Now, that being said, I DO think that the FAs who speak English can speak English somewhat decently (if not fluently), and with an accent that's easy to understand (based on the simple phonetics and intonation of Japanese). Nothing bothers me more on a flight in an Asian country when they have, for example: Thai attendants to speak Thai, one or two Japanese who make the announcements in Japanese, and then a Thai makes the English announcement and you have no idea what's being said (and it's critical transfer info). Just an example, but you catch my drift. I wish I could buff up on all the languages myself, but then that's not really my job.
elbudamexicano at 04:22 PM JST - 14th May

What a waste! Just get competent flight attendants! Beautiful and multi lingual!
ichinensei at 02:49 AM JST - 15th May

why do they call them interpreters? Are they interpreting or translating?
XXXXX at 03:05 AM JST - 21st May

Whoever heard of having onboard interpreters

I've heard of a few.

Are they interpreting or translating?

Doesn't interpreter imply translator as well?
Himajin at 12:45 AM JST - 23rd May

Interpreting is verbal, translating is the written word.
Himajin at 01:16 AM JST - 23rd May

Yes, but still called an 'interpreter', which was my point.
XXXXX at 01:28 AM JST - 23rd May

translator - someone who mediates between speakers of different languages, interpreter
Himajin at 10:04 AM JST - 23rd May

interpreter- 1. a person who interprets. 2. a person who provides an oral translation between speakers who speak different languages.

tranlator- 1. One that translates, especially: a. One employed to render written works into another language. b. A computer program or application that renders one language or data format into another.

Strictly speaking. I realize that the word 'translator' is often used for both, but it is not correct.

But who cares, I suppose....'waist' for 'waste' 'loose' for 'lose' 'per say' for 'per se' and 'definately' and other basic mistakes are overlooked as unimportant on a daily basis. Don't even mention the 'ur' crowd. Bleah.

Moderator: Readers, enough with the definitions please.
XXXXX at 10:13 AM JST - 23rd May

Yes I read the full definitions. I do be careful not to mispell though.
XXXXX at 10:46 AM JST - 23rd May

or rather, I am careful. lol Another Dictionary Saturday...
Sarge at 10:50 AM JST - 23rd May

Wu Yi-fan, 24... said in Japanese she will not only translate but also try to kindly attend to passengers"

I wish Wu Yi-fan was a flight attendant on the airline I usually fly...
cleo at 10:54 AM JST - 23rd May

But who cares

People whose livelihood depends on it? I translate professionally, but I don't interpret.

Interpreting blows fuses in the brain (in my brain, at least!)
XXXXX at 10:58 AM JST - 23rd May

I've heard of translators with a side business. Right here. Unbelievable.
Himajin at 11:14 AM JST - 23rd May

Yes Cleo, of course. I was just grumbling....I mean 'waist' for 'waste' and things of that sort grate after a while.

Sorry, Mod...have a nice Saturday. (outside of the flu it's a gorgeous day in Kobe)