{"id":123,"date":"2015-02-24T13:39:00","date_gmt":"2015-02-24T18:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp\/2015\/02\/24\/words-and-%e8%a8%80%e8%91%89-by-jim-davis-6\/"},"modified":"2015-02-24T13:39:00","modified_gmt":"2015-02-24T18:39:00","slug":"words-and-%e8%a8%80%e8%91%89-by-jim-davis-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/2015\/02\/24\/words-and-%e8%a8%80%e8%91%89-by-jim-davis-6\/","title":{"rendered":"Words and \u8a00\u8449 by Jim Davis"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Taken Out of Context:<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
The Importance of Context in Japanese-into-English Translation<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
(Part 3)<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

This month we continue with Professor Davis’ series of examples illustrating how context provides essential information that can assist the Japanese-into-English translator in producing a translation that is complete, accurate, and natural sounding. In this installment: Example 5 – unraveling sense (\u611f) and sensation; and Example 6 – awareness of loanwords and false friends.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
<\/a> <\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

Example 5: Sense and sensation<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The character \u611f is associated with the five senses, as well as many words related to emotions, feelings, and sensations of various types. In a paper describing the development and testing of a new engine for a sporty car the authors write the following:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\u74b0\u5883\u6027\u80fd\u3092\u78ba\u4fdd\u3057\u3001\u304b\u3064\u300c\u4f38\u3073\u611f\u300d\u3001\u300c\u30ec\u30b9\u30dd\u30f3\u30b9\u300d\u3001\u300c\u30b5\u30a6\u30f3\u30c9\u300d\u306e\u4e09\u3064\u306e\u611f\u6027\u306b\u8a34\u3048\u304b\u3051\u308b\u6027\u80fd\u3092\u8ffd\u6c42\u3057\u305f\u30a8\u30f3\u30b8\u30f3\u3092\u5b9f\u73fe\u3055\u305b\u305f\u3002   (8)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The character \u611f appears twice in this sentence: once in the word \u4f38\u3073\u611f and once in the word \u611f\u6027. The authors state clearly that \u4f38\u3073\u611f, \u30ec\u30b9\u30dd\u30f3\u30b9, and \u30b5\u30a6\u30f3\u30c9 are three specific \u611f\u6027 that the engineers had in mind as they designed the engine. A student suggested this translation:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cPerformance that maintained environmental performance and moreover appealed to the driver\u2019s <\/span>three <\/span>senses<\/i> of \u2018stretching emotion<\/b>,\u2019 \u2018response,\u2019 and \u2018sound\u2019 was sought, and this engine was achieved.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The student translated \u611f\u6027 as \u201csenses,\u201d but humans have only five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. A better translation for \u611f\u6027 would be \u201csensations,\u201d which encompasses a wider range of specific examples. If \u30ec\u30b9\u30dd\u30f3\u30b9 is \u201cresponse\u201d and \u30b5\u30a6\u30f3\u30c9 is \u201csound,\u201d then we are left to puzzle out \u4f38\u3073\u611f. The verb \u4f38\u3073\u308b carries many meanings. Among these we find \u201cgrow,\u201d \u201clengthen,\u201d \u201cstretch,\u201d \u201cstraighten out,\u201d \u201cspread,\u201d \u201cincrease,\u201d \u201cbe extended,\u201d \u201cbe postponed,\u201d \u201close elasticity,\u201d and even \u201cbecome groggy.\u201d However, \u201cstretching emotion\u201d does not seem appropriate as a desirable sensation for the driver of an automobile. We may need to glean additional information from the sentence in order to gain a clear understanding of the word \u4f38\u3073\u611f. The word \u6027\u80fd is often associated with \u201cperformance,\u201d particularly in the context of the performance of a product under certain conditions. The verb \u8ffd\u6c42\u3059\u308b usually means \u201cto seek\u201d or \u201cto pursue,\u201d but in the context of the performance of an automobile engine it could mean \u201cto provide (to the driver).\u201d Such performance could \u201cappeal\u201d (\u8a34\u3048\u304b\u3051\u308b) to the driver\u2019s emotions or it could appeal to the driver through \u201csensations.\u201d The \u201csound\u201d could be the roar of the engine\u2014something that most people associate with a high-performance automobile. The \u201cresponse\u201d could be the light touch on the gas pedal that is required in order to accelerate the car. In this context the \u4f38\u3073\u611f is likely to be either the \u201cexhilaration\u201d or the \u201csense of speed\u201d that the engine provides as the driver accelerates or winds his\/her way along a twisting road. If we try to combine all of the information we have gained from the individual pieces of the sentence, we may produce something like this:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

*** We developed an engine that could appeal to the driver through the three sensations<\/i> of \u201cexhilaration<\/b>,\u201d \u201cresponse,\u201d and \u201csound\u201d but could still maintain the vehicle\u2019s low environmental impact. ***<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

It is worth noting that although the word \u6027\u80fd appears twice in the original Japanese sentence, it is probably better not to use the word \u201cperformance\u201d in both instances. The Japanese term \u74b0\u5883\u6027\u80fd literally means \u201cenvironmental performance,\u201d but the English phrase \u201cenvironmental impact\u201d would be a better choice. The verb \u5b9f\u73fe\u3059\u308b, which we discussed previously, also appears in this sentence. From the context we understand that the authors designed the engine in question in order to promote customer interest in a particular vehicle. In this instance \u201cdeveloped\u201d seems to be the most appropriate choice for \u5b9f\u73fe\u3055\u305b\u305f.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The character \u611f appears as part of a different term in the following sentence, which was taken from a book about the Japanese economy:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\u6700\u8fd1\u3067\u306f\u3001\u6b27\u5dde\u306e\u5171\u901a\u901a\u8ca8\u3067\u3042\u308b\u30e6\u30fc\u30ed\u304c\u4e16\u754c\u306e\u91d1\u878d\u53d6\u5f15\u306b\u304a\u3051\u308b\u5b58\u5728\u611f\u3092\u9ad8\u3081\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002   (9)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

In this instance \u611f is part of the word \u5b58\u5728\u611f, which is usually glossed in dictionaries as \u201cpresence (felt by others)\u201d or \u201csense of existence.\u201d A student provided the following translation:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cRecently the Euro, which is the common currency of Europe, raises a sense of existence<\/b> as for financial transactions of the world.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The student correctly recognized that the noun \u30e6\u30fc\u30ed is the subject of the verb \u9ad8\u3081\u3066\u3044\u308b, but (s)he apparently plugged in a dictionary definition without understanding the meaning of the sentence. The phrase \u5b58\u5728\u611f\u3092\u9ad8\u3081\u3066\u3044\u308b literally indicates that someone somewhere is more aware of the presence of the euro as an international currency than was true in the past. That \u201csomeone\u201d may be currency traders or people who are engaged in international business. The combination of \u6700\u8fd1\u3067\u306f and \u5b58\u5728\u611f\u3092\u9ad8\u3081\u3066\u3044\u308b suggests that this change began in the recent past and continues to the present. If we translate \u6700\u8fd1 as \u201crecently,\u201d then the present perfect tense, not the present tense, should be used. The resulting translation would look like this:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

*** Recently the euro\u2014the common currency of Europe\u2014has been attracting more attention<\/b> in the world\u2019s financial transactions. ***<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

In a situation such as this, when the word \u6700\u8fd1 is paired with a verb that indicates an action in progress or an ongoing change, another option would be to translate \u6700\u8fd1 as \u201cthese days\u201d and to employ the present progressive tense, rather than the present perfect tense. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

*** These days the euro\u2014the common currency of Europe\u2014is playing a larger role<\/b> in the world\u2019s financial transactions. ***<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

If we compare these two translations, we realize that the first option places more emphasis on the fact that this change began in the recent past and the second option places more emphasis on the fact that this change continues into the present. Depending upon the overall context of the document one translation or the other may be preferable. It is worth noting that as we thought about each of these sentences we refined our translation in several stages. At each step along the way we used the context as a guide for making choices among options for the meanings of individual words and for putting words and phrases together to form the overall sentence.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Example 6: Loanwords and false friends<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Linguistic borrowing enriches languages all over the world. Many loanwords carry into their adopted languages the same meanings that the original words held in their original languages. However, almost every language allows for the possibility that a loanword could take on a new meaning in its adopted language\u2014a meaning that might not be obvious to someone who is familiar with the original word in the original language. Translators often use the term \u201cfalse friends\u201d (or \u201cfeux amis\u201d) to describe the loanword in the adopted language and the original word in the original language. A book about the Japanese economy contains this sentence:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\u65e5\u672c\u306e\u4f4f\u5b85\u6295\u8cc7\u306b\u5360\u3081\u308b<\/a>\u4f4f\u5b85\u30ea\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0\uff08\u5897<\/a>\u6539\u7bc9<\/u>\uff09\u306e\u5272\u5408\u306f\u7d04\u4e09\u5272\u3068\u306a\u3063\u3066\u304a\u308a\u3001\u30a4\u30ae\u30ea\u30b9\u306e\u516d\u4e8c\uff05\u3001\u30c9\u30a4\u30c4\u306e\u4e94\u3007\uff05\u3068\u6bd4\u3079\u308b\u3068\u304b\u306a\u308a\u4f4e\u3044\u3053\u3068\u304c\u308f\u304b\u308b\u3002   (10)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

At first glance the loanword \u30ea\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0 appears to correspond to the English word \u201creform.\u201d If so, the term \u4f4f\u5b85\u30ea\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0 would logically correspond to the widely used phrase \u201chousing reform.\u201d (\u201cHousing reform\u201d is normally associated with a government policy or program that is designed to make home ownership accessible on an equal basis to a wide segment of a given population.) Based on this understanding a student submitted the following translation:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cHousing reform<\/b> (the extension\/reconstruction of <\/u>existing buildings) makes up approximately 30% of Japan\u2019s housing investment; when compared to England\u2019s 62% and Germany\u2019s 50%, it is considerably lower.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The first hint that \u4f4f\u5b85\u30ea\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0 <\/span>has nothing to do with \u201chousing reform\u201d comes from the character-based explanation (\u5897\u6539\u7bc9) that appears in parentheses immediately after the term in question. The student focused on the meanings of the three individual characters and rendered this explanation as \u201cthe extension\/reconstruction of existing buildings.\u201d If we assume that this term is intended to encompass projects such as adding another room to an existing home or redoing the kitchen, then a more natural alternative might be \u201cadditions or alterations to existing buildings.\u201d With this understanding of the character-based explanation in hand we realize that the term \u4f4f\u5b85\u30ea\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0 actually corresponds to \u201chome remodeling,\u201d \u201chome renovation,\u201d or \u201chome improvement.\u201d If so, the entire sentence could be rendered like this:<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

*** Approximately 30% of Japan\u2019s housing investment is devoted to home remodeling\/renovation\/improvement<\/b>(additions or alterations to<\/u> existing buildings). This figure is quite low in comparison with that of England (62%) or Germany (50%). ***<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

The loanword \u30ea\u30d5\u30a9\u30fc\u30e0 certainly qualifies as a \u201cfalse friend\u201d in this instance. The context, in the form of the character-based explanation, provided enough information to overcome the \u201cmisdirection\u201d that we may have experienced when we read the sentence initially.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

(to be continued)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

—-<\/div>\n
Jim Davis is Professor and Director of the Technical Japanese Program in the Dept. of Engineering Professional Development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Taken Out of Context: The Importance of Context in Japanese-into-English Translation (Part 3) This month we continue with Professor Davis’ series of examples illustrating how context provides essential information that can assist the Japanese-into-English translator in producing a translation that is complete, accurate, and natural sounding. In this installment: Example 5 – unraveling sense (\u611f) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8,29,21],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}