Graduate from college if you want to live in Japan.

[KaiTea]

Hello!

I graduated from college about two years ago and figured out that the degree I've obtained was not the career path I wanted to pursue. So, I decided---Japanese translator. (Heh... x_x what a long road to take)

I just have a question:

What exactly should I do? I do not really know the necessary steps into becoming a translator. English is my one and only language. I am taking a Japanese class right now (once a week), but it is an independent language school that does not have a sturdy curriculum. Meaning, there are no tests, quizzes, worksheets nor anything in particular to reinforce what we've been taught. As of now, my class is covering chapters in Genki Elementary Volume 1. We read through the chapter, but most of the studying is done at home. I am thinking that I should go to a University and obtain an undergraduate degree (again) in Japanese and then head straight to the Linguistics Masters with Japanese Acquisition program.

If anyone has any inputs or advice, it would be most appreciated.

Thank you.

[Hatredcopter]

Originally Posted by KaiTea

I am thinking that I should go to a University and obtain an undergraduate degree (again) in Japanese and then head straight to the Linguistics Masters with Japanese Acquisition program.

If you really are set on becoming a translator, this is likely the road you'd have to take. I queried a bunch of professional J-to-E translators (mostly living in Japan) about what it takes to become a translator, and the two things I got out of it were:

1. It's very difficult to get into translating after just a bachelor's degree in Japanese -- at least freelance translating. In-house translating might be an option, but even then, there are a lot of other competent bilingual people that you'll be competing with.

2. Professional translating requires Japanese skills surpassing even that of a native-born Japanese. Four years of university study won't get you there unless you study intensively at a university IN Japan.

There are variables though, such as do you want to work in Japan or your home country? What kind of media do you want to translate (legal and medical translation jobs are the most available and highest paying jobs, whereas more 'fun' jobs like translating manga or magazines are scarce).

There are other routes to doing translation work. I do translation work, but I am not a professional translator, I'm a CIR with the JET Programme. I usually only translate short documents, and I take longer to translate than a professional translator would. For me, translation is only a small aspect of my job, and this particular job is a good stepping stone for getting some experience and possibly moving on to becoming a real translator. When I asked professional J-to-E translators about their jobs, the vast majority of them said they sort of 'fell into' translating (very few of them went through university specifically to become a translator).

Anyway, hope that helps.

[sarasi]

Translators also need a very high standard of writing in their own language, so don't neglect improving your English expression.

I don't think any of the translators I know started out with that purpose- they all, as above, "fell into" it, myself included. For one thing, if you want to work in Japan it would be very difficult to get translation work just after you step off the plane- you really need at least a few years living here, familiarising yourself with the culture and learning how Japanese is really used. Being here also helps to build up your contacts and therefore makes it more likely that you'll find translation work.

Most translators specialise in a particular type of document- scientific, legal or patents for example, so if you have no experience in that kind of field it also makes it harder to get hired.

[KaiTea]

Thanks for your honest input...

That just makes my life harder and difficult for me to figure out what to do. With the advice that has been said, maybe translation is not for me. (Who knows.) -_-;; Now, I am back to square one without any ideas on what to do with my future. I do not want to be stuck at a retail store for the rest of my life, nor do I want to be doing a job I am not passionate about. I've looked through a list of majors to take, and I don't think anything suits me; nor am I interested in it.


-Sobs- ;_;

[chinabean]

Originally Posted by KaiTea

Thanks for your honest input...

That just makes my life harder and difficult for me to figure out what to do. With the advice that has been said, maybe translation is not for me. (Who knows.) -_-;; Now, I am back to square one without any ideas on what to do with my future. I do not want to be stuck at a retail store for the rest of my life, nor do I want to be doing a job I am not passionate about. I've looked through a list of majors to take, and I don't think anything suits me; nor am I interested in it.


-Sobs- ;_;

nurse; medical field.

[trunker]

figure out what youre passionate about and then take it from there. i wouldnt just jump into nursing or medical unless i had a reason to, besides money and having a job.

[UsagiSarah]

what about us folks who have to move there for their husbands jobs? I would like to help support our living funds but what can I do without a college degree? I mean I never intended to go there and live there and make big money teaching english or being a businessman. So what options are there for the women who never had the chance to plan ahead?

some of us aren't the anime/cosplay/japan obsessed kids in the world with a dream to work and live in japan independently.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by UsagiSarah

what about us folks who have to move there for their husbands jobs? I would like to help support our living funds but what can I do without a college degree? I mean I never intended to go there and live there and make big money teaching english or being a businessman. So what options are there for the women who never had the chance to plan ahead?

some of us aren't the anime/cosplay/japan obsessed kids in the world with a dream to work and live in japan independently.

You are actually at an advantage, because if you can live in Japan with your husband who has a work visa, and you have a spouse visa (I believe) then you can work anywhere that will hire you. They don't need to provide you a working visa, so you will not be under the same scrutiny. You could even start your own business if you wanted.

[godwine]

Originally Posted by MMM

You are actually at an advantage, because if you can live in Japan with your husband who has a work visa, and you have a spouse visa (I believe) then you can work anywhere that will hire you. They don't need to provide you a working visa, so you will not be under the same scrutiny. You could even start your own business if you wanted.

Hey MMM, on that note, will starting her own business change her status? Let say, if someone, under the exact same scenario started a business, then the spouse who was there with a work visa didn't get his visa extended, then what will happen? Will they need to surrender the business (sell it, close it.. etc) or they can still stay?

[Kushaba]

Originally Posted by noodle

I think it's also safe to say that most of the people that are wanting to live in Japan really ought to go there for some time before making such important plans. I seem to see a lot of people that dream of living in Japan, purely from stories of a perfect society. I have to say, those people seem rather naïve.

I agree with you. a friend of mine is studying art in tokyo and she is saying even though the city is nice, fun, and full of life. Everything is very VERY expensive!