The Tim Ferriss Show interprets Japanese language and culture. In a recent podcast episode, entrepreneur Kevin Rose accompanies Tim Ferriss on a trip to Japan. They introduce Japanese language and culture topics for their show, The Random Show. Tim describes Japanese culture as subtle, and gives interpretations of the nuances based on his travel experiences. In addition, the show translates the most important vocabulary from Japanese to English.
Tim speaks Japanese fluently and frequently travels to Japan. He first traveled to Japan at the age of 15 on an exchange program that allowed him to live with host families and attend a Japanese school. He appreciates the attention to detail and thoughtful consideration of the Japanese language and culture. His interpretations of Japanese language and culture reveal a lot about Japanese best practices.

Interpreting Japanese culture with Tim Ferriss

Tim and Kevin go over what it’s like in Japan if you don’t speak Japanese. Basically, visitors encounter a lot of friendly people concerned with their well-being. While knowing how to speak Japanese always helps, visitors can survive the most common scenarios without Japanese interpreters and translators. That’s why they like Tokyo and Japan so much. Of course, visitors could have an even better experience with Japanese over the phone interpreters ready to interpret between Japanese and English.
Japanese culture values top-quality public courtesy, customer service, and hospitality. Basically, act with pride and consideration. “The Japanese do everything with pride,” says Tim. “I love it.” Tim recommends that visitors always go with the best behavior, be polite, and don’t talk loudly.
Japanese interpreters and translators can appreciate this insight as a bridge between American and Japanese cultures and values. Japanese interpreters and translators do well to visit Japan, participate in Japanese community events, and watch Japanese movies to stay in touch with the latest cultural trends and emerging vocabulary.

Interpreting Japanese drinking culture

Mingling at local Japanese hotspots, they drink Suntory premium malt beer and sake, or rice wine, while sitting on tatami mats. There are a variety of ways to give toasts in Japanese. The Japanese say kanpai, which means cheers. In parallel, the Chinese give toasts with the similar phrase gan bei. Both the Chinese gan bei and Japanese kanpai literally mean “empty glass,” and are written with the same traditional Chinese characters (??). Neither toast necessarily calls for chugging or slamming down the glass.
Of course, when the Japanese would like to slam down a drink or two, they say ikiiki (??), which literally means “one breath.” Chinese and Japanese have this character in common as well. Of course, Japanese interpreters and Chinese interpreters should avoid drinking alcohol while on interpreting assignments.

Interpreting Japanese hospitality

Tim and Kevin introduce Japanese hospitality while visiting natural springs in Japan. They also interpret Japanese tattoo culture. As they visit onsen (??), or natural hot springs in Japan, they experience a low acceptance of tattoos. Japanese society associates tattoos with the yakuza. Hotels, resorts, beaches, spas, and public baths often prohibit anyone with exposed tattoos from entering. Receptionists may ask visitors to cover up their tattoos with skin-colored tape. At the onsen of Araya Totoan though, Kevin doesn’t have to hide his tattoos. Of course, Japanese interpreters and translators are wise to ready their wpients visiting onsen be ready to respectfully cover up tattoos.
Japanese hospitality at onsen gives a few takeaway lessons for how to deliver the best customer service. Just as the surface of the water at onsen changes, so must Japanese interpreters and translators go with the flow of the spoken and written word. As customers float requests, the best interpreting and translation company should seek to be as fluid as water when responding. This allows customers to enjoy the spirit of excellent customer service. Japanese interpreters and Japanese translators who deliver the best quality Japanese translation and interpreting services build trust with wpients. This creates a measure of tranquility and comfort, just like soaking in onsen or meditating on a tatami mat.

Interpreting Japanese food culture

Japanese food culture focuses on quality. Tim and Kevin give great suggestions on their favorite bites to eat in Japan. Food in Tokyo need not be expensive. When looking for a cheap and healthy meal, they suggest grabbing some o–nigiri, which are triangular-shaped rice balls wrapped in dry seaweed and filled with various fish, meat, or vegetables. The Japanese convenience stores 7-11, Sunkus, and Lawson sell delicious and satisfying meals for cheap. The 7-11 in Japan, which sells delicious o–nigiri and sandwiches, is completely different from the 7-Eleven in America. Japanese simultaneous interpreters may eat o–nigiri on-the-go while on simultaneous interpreting assignments.

Translating Japanese anime and manga culture

Anime and manga are quite important in Japanese culture. Tim highly recommends the Ghibli Museum hidden in the middle of the Mitaka Forest. The museum showcases the work of Executive Director Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli, which creates the animation of such captivating movies as Spirited Way and My Neighbor Totoro. Japanese translators deliver Japanese to English translations for the movies and marketing material.
Anime and manga also influence Japanese fashion culture. Tim and Kevin interpret the quirky elements of modern Japanese culture, inwpuding Harajuku, otaku, and cosplay.Otaku is a Japanese term for people with obsessive interests. Fans of anime, manga, and Harajuku are commonly called otaku. They may eat out at maids’ cafes and butler’s cafes, where the waiters dress up as anime and manga characters. Takeshita Doori in Tokyo is at the center of Harajuku teen fashion culture. Japanese teenagers and adults go there to dress up as their favorite anime and manga characters and walk up and down the street. Japanese consecutive interpreters can accompany visitors to interview the cosplay characters. Otaku is a Japanese term for people with obsessive interests.
A lot of Japanese people are into the freedom of expression, fashion, eccentricity, and creativity of cosplay. “I think that it’s just a form of hyper-expression in a culture where a lot of people feel very repressed or overly polite most of the time,” says Tim. “So then they blow it out on the weekends and they like put in pink contacts and white hair and 12-inch platform shoes.” Public cosplay is just down the street from one of the most beautiful shrines in Tokyo. Japanese interpreters and translators follow these trends to better convey the meaning of both modern and traditional Japanese cultures.

Learning Japanese

Travelers can study and review Japanese to prepare for trips to Japan. Tim recommends that those with at least an intermediate-level of Japanese read 13 Secrets for Speaking Fluent Japanese by Giles Murray. He also suggests reading Japanese Verbs & Essentials of Grammar by Rita Lampkin, describing the book as a concise grammar summary for quick reference. Japanese interpreters and translators may keep both books handy as reference material when preparing for Japanese interpreting and translation assignments.
Capital Linguists delivers the best Japanese to English interpreting and translation services.