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This month we will discuss writing versus translation. These are two very different skill sets. Confusing them will create problems. Some writers write in their native language and then translate their writing into English. One of the biggest problems this creates for Japanese writing translated into English is overuse of the passive voice.
The passive voice is used by many Japanese writers. It is not clear to us why it is used so much. We Americans are taught by our teachers that using the passive voice weakens our writing. Writing done by writers using the active voice seems stronger.
Now, let's rewrite that using the active voice:
Many Japanese writers use the passive voice, but we do not understand why. We Americans learn in school that the passive voice weakens our writing. Writers using the active voice produce stronger writing.
Which did you like better?
You probably know that the active voice is better to use. Writing in English instead of translating from Japanese to English is the first step to increase your use of the active voice and reduce your use of the passive. However, it is only the first step. When we write in a foreign language, we often use patterns from our first language. A Japanese writer writing in English can use the passive voice just as much as a Japanese translator translating from Japanese to English.
The writer must take steps to reduce using the passive voice. The first step is to consciously try to use the active voice when writing. This may not always work. The second step is to always go back over your writing after you finish a draft and try to change passive voices to active ones as much as you can. Remember that the passive voice does have a place in writing. When you change the passive into the active, you will need to add actors too. A sentence saying, "The book was read." must be changed to say who read the book. As we have mentioned, we often cannot see our own writing and feedback is helpful. The next step is to ask someone else to check your writing and give you feedback on your use of the passive voice. Edit your writing again.
All of these steps will be difficult at first. None of them will happen unconsciously. They all must be done consciously. If you do them consciously, they will eventually be incorporated into your unconscious, helping you in the process of becoming a better writer.
Next month we will continue to discuss writing versus translation with a look at organization styles.
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