Interpreters play an essential role when it comes to communication. Thanks to their mastery of both the source and target languages, a skilled interpreter can forge the necessary relationship for both parties to communicate with ease. As well as overcoming language obstacles, interpreters also understand the cultural background that underpins the exchange, providing insight into the context that can influence tone, meaning, and intent.
This is even more crucial when it comes to Japanese, as the language is particularly influenced by the country’s honorific system, as well as other culturally embedded codes. To find out just how crucial Japanese interpreters are on the global stage, read on!
Japan: A story of rags to riches
During the second half of the 20th century, a lot changed in Japan. At the end of the Second World War, its economy was in tatters, and the country in ruins. Yet, by the 1960s – less than two decades later – the country’s economy had become the second largest in the world. What happened? Well, thanks to government industrial policy and massive investment in the country’s infrastructure, Japan’s annual GDP growth rate stayed around 10% from the 1950s onward. This allowed industries to flourish and, quickly, companies such as Toyota, Honda, Sony, and Panasonic gained international recognition.
Japan today
Fast forward 60 years and Japan continues to be home to some of the world’s leading companies. As well as automotive giants and leaders in the tech industry, Japan also has a strong presence in the finance and electronics sectors. In fact, companies across the world understand the opportunities presented by the Land of the Rising Sun. These businesses also realize that, in order to enter the Japanese market, effective communication is critical.
From the early stages of negotiations, to the signing of contracts and fruitful ongoing collaborations, Japanese interpreters have an essential role to play. As well as ensuring there are no miscommunications and misunderstandings, Japanese interpreters understand the subtleties that underpin communication in Japan. Mastery of these unspoken elements is at the heart of the successful relationships that enable businesses to thrive.
How Japanese interpreting services enable meaningful communication
Japanese interpreters bridge the linguistic divide, ensuring that ideas, negotiations, and contracts are translated accurately and professionally. Without skilled interpreters, the risk of miscommunication can result in costly mistakes, misunderstandings, or even failed business ventures. Beyond the words themselves, Japanese interpreters also ensure that nuances and cultural context are respected – and this is critical for establishing long-term business relationships.
We’ve all heard about machine translation and, while it can be useful when all you require is a rough approximation of a sentence, it often fails to capture the subtler elements of communication. Aspects such as tone, register, cultural nuances, and – particularly crucial with Japanese – formality levels need a skilled human translator to ensure they are conveyed accurately.
When it comes to interpreting (rather than translating written text), these elements are even more essential as they are often what allows us to form a meaningful relationship with the other party – even when we don’t speak the same language. For example, obeying the unspoken codes of honorifics is vital for garnering respect in Japan. Beyond the usual respect we show each other, these codes are highly complex and comprise three main levels of politeness. Interpreters need to select the most appropriate from the following:
- Sonkeigo: This is the most respectful language and is used when speaking about someone of high status. It can be appropriate when talking about a senior executive or client.
- Kenjougo: This form expresses humility, lowering the subject’s status to elevate the listener’s. This is a common feature of respectful speech in Japanese workplaces and negotiations.
- Teineigo: This more generic, neutral form is polite and is suitable for many professional interactions.
Skilled interpreters must first assess the relationship between the speaker and listener in real time to determine which form is most appropriate. This can also evolve as the relationship develops, and it’s down to the interpreter to pick up on when it makes sense to change. It doesn’t always decrease, either; sometimes, depending on the context, the interpreter may increase formality, for example, when speaking in front of other clients or someone of a higher status.
What about Japanese translation?
While interpreters handle spoken interactions – whether that’s a conversation, a high-level business meeting, or a speech during a multilingual conference – Japanese translators deal with written language. These specialized linguists can help when it comes to translating the contracts themselves, online content, or any other documents. They also play a key role in bringing Japanese culture (such as anime or manga) to an increasingly curious worldwide audience.
Japanese interpreters don’t merely translate words; they translate relationships. Capital Linguists’ highly skilled team of Japanese interpreters allows companies and individuals to build meaningful connections, despite the linguistic obstacles. By obeying the complexities of honorifics and cultural expectations, they have enabled communication that is both accurate and socially appropriate. Thanks to their expertise, Capital Linguists ensures that every interaction – no matter how complex – is handled with the utmost professionalism and cultural sensitivity.
