Translation Education at Japanese Universities: Questionnaire Results Summary NAGANUMA, Mikako (Do not quote without my permission.)

Background  Japan is often called a “translation giant”. Almost all famous works in the world can be accessed in Japanese. Then, where are translators trained?  “Culture and Translation” ( ) “The World of Translation” (1976-present)  Commercial translator training schools other than universities have long played a key role for professional training in Japan.

Objectives of the Survey  To find out current situations of undergrad. & grad. translation education at Japanese universities.  To contribute to theory & practice for translation education by sharing the results with other practitioner-researchers.  To pursue future possibilities of T & I education in a university setting by combining the results with the interpreting education survey conducted by another JAITS SIG in 2005.

How many Japanese universities provide translation education?

How many translation classes in Japanese universities?

Questions (26 items in total) Part 1 (Data about curriculum contents) Outline (language combination, direction, etc.) Designated semesters Core or elective Duration (1 semester/2 semesters) Related programs (e.g. interpreting etc.) Class size (average no. of students) Classroom type(CALL, PC, on-line, etc.) Curriculum goals Teaching materials

Questions (continued) Part 1 cont. Ratio of theory and practice Evaluation methods Areas to be most emphasized Current problems and future challenges

Questions (continued) Part 2 (Data about instructors) Full-time (tenure) or part-time Years of experience of translation education at universities/other than universities Years of experience as professional translator Field of translation/Field of research Achievements of translation, research, etc. Affiliated organizations (academic/professional) Comments on this survey

Outline (language combinations & directions)

Related programs

Class size (average no. of students)

Curriculum goals

Teaching materials

Theory vs. practice

Evaluation methods

Part 2 (Data about instructors) Full-time vs. part-time

Years of experience in translation education

Experience as professional translator

Summary This survey is the first of this kind in Japan. Successful basic data collection. Free descriptions are full of voices experiencing difficulties and problems. - language competence, teaching materials, evaluation methods, work load, etc. New trends or old issues? JAIS → JAITS (Japan Association for Interpreting and Translation Studies).

Thank you for your kind attention.