Lots of people want to be freelance translators, but they often don’t consider the business side of things—specifically the finance. This article will go over some things you need to consider when setting yourself up as a freelance translator, including
Top Tips for Language Students Interested in Translation
If you’re studying a language (whether that’s in school or on your own) you might be thinking about a career in translation. Whatever the language and whatever field you’re interested in, there are a few things you can do to
Gained in Translation
I hate the phrase “lost in translation.” Not only because it’s a terrible, terrible movie, but because it’s a phrase that perpetrates the myth that translation is inherently evil or wrong. When people use the phrase “lost in translation”
Best Practices for Localization Project Managers
A project manager can make or break a project, but a project is more than just the sum of its parts, it’s reliant on everyone working on the project. Great managers make a team (and therefore a project) thrive, while
Japanese to English Translation Competitions 2024
Another year another list of translation competitions for Japanese to English translators! This list comprises of the competitions I could find split into two categories: ones that provide the materials for you to translate, and ones that expect you to
Finding Your Translation Specialization
Often times, when getting into translation, you’re told to “specialize.” But what does that mean? How do you “specialize”? Does that mean you need another degree? How do you develop the skills for a specialization? Will it help you get
Interesting Localization Articles from the Last Year (and more)
I used to do link roundups, where I shared interesting articles I’d come across. These were very infrequent and I eventually dropped them altogether. But that doesn’t mean I stopped reading cool stuff related to the localization industry. I figured
My Favourite Books of 2023
I love reading. Every year my goal is to read at least 24 books, but my secret (real) goal is 48. (That way I have an achievable goal I can feel good about completing even if I don’t hit my
Everything You Need to Know About Mentoring for Translators
There is a distinct lack of education and support for aspiring entertainment translators. Most translation related degrees and university courses cater towards more lucrative fields or offer very generalized courses to appeal to as wide a variety of prospective students
Writing Tools for Translators – Book Review
Writing Tools: 55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark If there’s one book all translators working with English should read, it’s Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark. Most translators are not taught how to write and
Translation is a Spectrum
Translation is a spectrum. That’s it. That’s the article. Okay, let me explain in more detail why translation is a spectrum, why translators use all parts of the spectrum within a single translation project, and why it’s important. The
The Translation Process
The translation process is fundamental to translation but it’s often overlooked when people talk about translation. Everyone assumes everyone else knows it, so doesn’t feel the need to talk about it. As a result, the vast majority of translators have
There’s No Translator Shortage, Just a Shortage of Decent Companies
RWS, a massive LSP (language service provider) and the company that owns the CAT (computer aided translation) tool Trados, recently released a report stating that the number of experienced translators with 10+ years of experience has dropped by almost 10%
Dazzling Dialogue for Translators — Book Review
How to Write Dazzling Dialogue: The Fastest Way to Improve Any Manuscript by James Scott Bell How to Write Dazzling Dialogue is a book written for English writers looking to improve their novel/screen play/comic, etc. by improving the dialogue. But
Effective Self-Editing for Terrific Translations
Your translation is done! It’s finished! Time to send it off! BUT WAIT!!! Did you edit it? Edit? I’m a translator, not an editor, why would I need to edit my translation? Why indeed! In this article we’ll be going
Idol Burning – Translation Review
On the surface Idol Burning (推し、燃ゆ Oshi Moyu) by Rin Usami and translated into English by Asa Yoneda, is a story about a young girl obsessed with an idol from a boy group, but underneath it’s an look at mental
Japanese – English Translation Competitions 2023
A list of translation competitions for Japanese to English translators in 2023. I’ve also posted a list of articles at the bottom which should help! Japanese – English Translation Competitions 2023 Materials Provided I’ve been keeping an eye on
Translation Chat 20 – Janet Hsu chats about Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors (999)
Janet Hsu is a localization director that has worked in the video game industry for almost two decades. Janet chats about the English localization of the Nintendo DS Game Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors by director Kotaro Uchikoshi
Translated Books I Read in 2022
One of my goals this year was to read more translated books, so in April I decided to start a reading challenge. Each month had a different theme which acts as a reading prompt to help select books. I only
Translation Chat 19 – Wesley O’Donnell chats about Paper Mario and the Origami King
Wesley O’Donnell is a freelance Japanese to English translator living in Japan. He’s worked on a variety of manga and light novels with penchant towards fantasy and comedy. Wesley chats about the amazing characterization and comedy in the English
Becoming a Translator—There Is No Magic Button
From talking to aspiring translators lately it feels like many want to know what the magic button is to become a translator. But, there is no magic button. There’s no one way to gain experience. There’s no one company that
Translation Chat 18 – Taylor Drew chats about Tokyo Ueno Station
Taylor Drew is a translator, writer, and manga proofreader based in Tokyo. She writes book reviews for her personal blog A Basket of Words and also does interview translations for Febri. Passionate for all things written and everything to
Translation Chat 17 – Erica Friedman chats about Whisper Me a Love Song
Erica Friedman is the Founder of Yuricon and has run the world’s oldest and most comprehensive blog on Yuri, Okazu, since 2002. She has edited manga for JManga, Seven Seas and Udon Entertainment, most recently Riyoko Ikeda’s epic historical
What is the Japan Visualmedia Translation Academy (JVTA)?
There is a lack of comprehensive educational programs for Japanese to English translators. The vast majority of programs available are post-graduate degrees or evening classes for professionals. Which is all well and good if you already live in the city
Translation Chat 16 – Stephen Meyerink chats about Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
Stephen Meyerink is a freelance Japanese to English translator, writer, and author who has worked on video games, books, albums, manga, and more. He is a massive fan of video game music (in terms of both a historical practice
Translation Chat 15 – Alexander O. Smith chats about All You Need Is Kill
Alexander O. Smith—who goes by Alex—is a translator, writer, and photographer living in Kamakura, Japan. As a translator, he’s worked on games like Final Fantasy 12, novels in the fantasy, sci-fi, and mystery genres, and manga. He’s written for
Translation Chat 14 – Keith Spencer chats about The Emissary
Keith Spencer is a visual artist and translator based in Kyoto. His artwork has been exhibited in the US, Japan, and Canada, while his translations have appeared in artist books, galleries, and numerous art-related online publications. Keith chose to
Translation Chat 13 – Mercedez Clewis chats about Super Cub
Mercedez (Meru) Clewis (they/their) is a Japanese to English translation and localization editor working primarily with light novels and visual novels, such as Idea Factory’s Cupid Parasite. They’re also a pop culture critic, anime and manga reviewer, and a
What Skills Do I Need to be A Game Translator? (Part 2: Soft Skills)
Video game translators don’t just need to be good at translating, they need to be good at communication, empathy, curiosity, and so much more to be able to have long-term successful careers. While part 1 of What Skills Do I
Translation Chat 12 – Kaylyn Wylie chats about Monster Hunter World
Kaylyn S. Wylie (she/they) is a Japanese to English media localization specialist working primarily with video games. You can see her work most recently in Ender Lilies and Artesnaut. If you’d like to catch what she’s up to, you