Observations from My Recent Experience with Overseas Clients

Until recently, I had not had many opportunities to work with overseas clients. However, as I began engaging with them more frequently, I noticed a key difference between the domestic and international translation processes. Unlike in Japan, where translators are expected to ensure a certain level of quality, overseas clients tend to seek Linguists rather than traditional Translators. As a result, I have been receiving more requests for translation reviews and other language-related tasks.

In industrial translation, specialized knowledge and accuracy are essential. During translation reviews, I often encounter incorrect use of technical terminology, which made me realize the difference in approaches. In Japan, translators are generally responsible for maintaining high quality with specialized expertise. In contrast, in overseas markets, reviewers seem to play a crucial role in ensuring quality.

It is not that the translation industry itself has changed, but rather that my own experience has expanded, allowing me to recognize these differences. As the required skills continue to evolve, I remain committed to improving my expertise and delivering high-quality translations that meet industry expectations.

Challenge

Today, I took the Honyaku Kentei exam organized by the Japan Translation Federation.

In previous years, the exam has often featured questions based on editorials from scientific journals. However, this year, the material was taken directly from research papers. It brought back memories of the time I used to write academic papers myself. I focused on crafting translations that were concise, unambiguous, and flowed logically, staying true to the original text while ensuring clarity.

I have no way of knowing how it will be evaluated, but I believe I submitted the best work I could at this point in time. From here, all I can do is leave the rest to fate.

Chatting with Fellow Translators

In a community of fellow translators I joined last year, I had the chance to exchange various ideas and insights. Since translation work often involves staying cooped up in a room, there are days when I barely talk to anyone outside of my family. That’s why simply having conversations within this community brings me so much joy.

On top of that, listening to other members’ experiences and stories inspires me to push myself harder. In fact, it was the encouragement and inspiration I received from this community that motivated me to start this website.

It’s not every day you find a community that is not only enjoyable but also stimulating. I feel truly grateful to have joined such an amazing group of translators who constantly inspire me to grow.