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1. Connecting words in
translation
Almost all our writing work concerns Japanese to English translations, and this
section addresses connecting words in English and Japanese writing. Both
Japanese and English writing uses connecting words, but such connectors are used
differently. Japanese tends to use many words at the beginning of sentences,
which get translated into connecting words or phrases in English. These include
but, therefore, in addition, furthermore, and moreover. English uses words such
as ‘and,’ ‘but,’ and ‘because’ in the middle of sentences. In formal
English, writers generally do not use ‘and’ or ‘but’ to start sentences.
At Aaron, we sometimes see writing such as in the following paragraph:
First connect wire A to wire B. After connecting these two wires, plug in the
cord. Next, turn the power on. In addition, make sure that the red light is
flashing. Furthermore, the device should be at least 15 cm from the wall.
Finally, turn the power off.
Generally English does not use connectors at the beginning of sentences. If a
native speaker had written the above paragraph, the text would look something
like this:
First connect wire A to wire B, and plug in the cord. Turn the power on, and
make sure that the red light is flashing. Check that the device is at least 15
cm from the wall. After that, turn the power off.
If the sentences follow each other logically, we do not need that many
connecting words at the beginning of the sentences. Words are connected by a
kind of logic generally called coherence, not by introductory words or phrases.
Please take a look at some English writing and notice the connecting words. This
will help you to develop your own sense of how to connect sentences in English.
2. The responsibility of the writer in English
There are translation companies in Japan that emphasize English to Japanese
translation. Some of them do this because it is easier to translate into your
native language, and most of the translators in Japan are Japanese. Some
companies also emphasize English to Japanese translation because English writing
is often easier to understand than Japanese writing. Why is this? Japanese can
be clearly and precisely written. Pick up the Asahi Newspaper, and notice that
it is clear and well written.
As translators know, much Japanese writing is difficult to understand. Sentences
can get very long, and writers can be extremely vague. Generally, English
writing is clearer because writers begin with the idea that their responsibility
is to make their writing understandable. We are taught from elementary school
that we need to write so our readers are able to understand what we have
written. It is a writer’s responsibility to write clearly, so readers will be
able to understand. Readers do not have the responsibility to decipher long,
unclear sentences or vague thoughts.
The next time you have to translate a vague Japanese sentence into English,
remember that such vagueness is not standard in English writing. Try to get your
client to explain what the meaning is. Then, put the meaning into clear and
understandable English.
3. The changing American family
In the 1960s, Leave It To Beaver was a frequently watched American television
program. The suburban family consisted of a mom, dad, and two boys. The mother
stayed at home with the children while the father left each morning for work.
America was like this for some families, but definitely not for everyone. Many
women worked. Not everyone could afford to live in the suburbs. All male workers
did not earn enough to support families. Not everyone got married. There were
families with single mothers and families where the grandparents were raising
the children. There were also single people, gay people, and people of color,
but rarely were they seen on programs such as Leave It To Beaver.
America has significantly changed since the days of Leave It To Beaver. Most
Americans realize that there are different kinds of families. Not all families
are white with a stay-at-home mother, a working father, and two children. There
are families with two gay parents. There are families with single mothers or
single fathers. There are interracial families and other kinds of families. More
Americans are accepting of other ways of living, and more Americans with other
ways of living are more open about their life patterns. You can see a diversity
of families in movies and TV shows as well as in books. There are still problems
with some people who have trouble accepting everyone, but we have come a long
way since the days of Leave It To Beaver.
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