JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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- Full-time English Teacher - Osaka
- Epion English Language Schools, Osaka
- Salary: ¥200,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month Depending on your ability and experience
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- Part-time English Teacher - Osaka
- Epion English Language Schools, Osaka
- Salary: ¥10,000 ~ ¥15,000 / Day Depending on how many days a week are worked
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toolongheremaybe
Great discussion and I may be out of my depth and un-qualified to comment. But, that doesn't usually stop me so can I suggest that you CAN be as clear and precise as you want in Japanese - not only Japanese, but us gaijin. But often, people are purposely vague. English speakers sometimes do the same thing, but Japanese, I think, do it more often.
Often as a gaijin, you can get frustrated with misunderstandings and think its because of your limited Japanese and failure to appreciate nuances, but if you live here long enough you will see Japanese misunderstanding each other all the time too. And a lot of the time its not the vagueness of the language, but people trying to understand what the person "really meant", when sometimes they didn't mean anything at all, and sometimes they just meant exactly what they said!
read between my lines, and you can probably guess that I have had my fair share of problems in arguments with my wife, and even more listening in frustration to Japanese complaining about other Japanese and wondering what they meant. So, I can't really agree with Coligny and the outright assault on the Japanese language, but Tex saying Japanese have no problem understanding each other shows a different experience to mine. But in the end, if a Japanese wanted to get their meaning across in a hurry if their life depended on it they could. But as to the original story - no, I can't see a computer giving great translations for a while.
Hey, on a lighter note, have any of you been asked by a Japanese girl to read emails from a gaijin guy when she wants to know if he "really loves her and is serious"? Can be pretty harrowing.
Come to think of it, I could never be a translator. My wife thinks that if I tell a co-worker that her hair cut looks pretty, it means, "Hey, Baby, let's get together behind my wife's back sometimes. After all, I'm a playboy gaijin sukebe who is only interested in one thing". So, I am thinking of giving up Japanese.
Posted in: No substitute for human touch in translating
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toolongheremaybe
people are expressing concern because this type of thing is increasing. Like I have said before, Japan is still super safe - but this random slashing is getting ridiculous. Yes society is getting worse. Nothing wrong with a person saying that - Japanese everywhere are saying exactly the same thing!! Watch Japanese TV programs and talk with normal Japanese, and you will realize that the people worried about this increase in crime are not just gaijin. In fact, the only people I ever hear saying that things are not getting worse are a few gaijin on this site. Which is kind of funny isn't it?
Posted in: Man arrested for stabbing father, daughter during stroll in Ibaraki
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toolongheremaybe
Smith, actually you would be surprised how much the emoticons mean to some people. There actually are people who wouldn't buy it because of no emoji. I think if apple did a bit more homework they should have added emoticons and a place for a strap. Hard to believe for some of you, but it would have made a difference. I predict that the next model will have emoticons, place for a strap, video camera , and infrared. Then watch out. Of course the people who buy now will be upset, but ...happens with apple products all the time.
Posted in: Japan cautious in iPhone's bid for world dominance
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toolongheremaybe
Strip him and make him walk around while people get to whip his backside. Might make him think twice.
Posted in: Man on motorbike assaults schoolgirl, steals her underwear on Gifu street
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toolongheremaybe
romulus3, very well explained. I think a lot of posters here have never had kids.
Posted in: 2-year-old boy falls to death from 7th floor apartment in Osaka
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toolongheremaybe
This is my advice and I admit to being a pessimist. Always thing about the worst possible think happening then make sure it can't. I wish my Japanese wife would think more along those lines. A stool on a balcony or anything else that a kid can climb on is something that shouldn't be there. But in the end, everyone makes mistakes and is not looking for a second. If the timing is wrong, lots of us wouldn't be here. I wouldn't condemn a parent for a mistake. IF they are decent parents they will suffer enough.
Posted in: 2-year-old boy falls to death from 7th floor apartment in Osaka
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toolongheremaybe
Terribly sad situation and it would be great to see some people with influence do something about the IHA. There would be no negatives at all about the Royals having more freedom. I respect and admire them. Instead of a cabinet reshuffle they need to dissolve the IHA, and bring in a whole new system. In fact, I think they need some gaijin in the IHA!
Posted in: Crown prince seeks public understanding for ailing wife
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toolongheremaybe
Unfortunately Cleo, we think alike. As soon as I read the headline a chill went down my spine. This could possibly be extremely terrible bad luck, but I doubt it. It's either one super genki kid who is hard to handle, or the parents are really remiss. Everyone who has kids can tell of near misses, but this doesn't add up. If the mother is not responsible she will be unconsolable for years, but no, this is most likely foul play. If police didn't really investigate this there is something wrong.
Posted in: 2-yr-old boy who survived 9th floor fall in March dies after choking himself with backpack strap