{"id":1768,"date":"2026-11-04T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/?p=1768"},"modified":"2026-10-28T18:08:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T22:08:24","slug":"guest-post-with-hideyuki-motohashi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/2026\/11\/04\/guest-post-with-hideyuki-motohashi\/","title":{"rendered":"Guest Post with Hideyuki Motohashi"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Guest contributor Hideyuki Motohashi is a certified public psychologist and certified clinical psychologist. He has been working in mental healthcare in various capacities since 2001. Motohashi is also an experienced Japanese\/English translator working both directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find out more about Hideyuki Motohashi at LinkedIn<\/a> or ProZ<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Category or Narrative?<\/strong> 
Perspectives in Mental Health Translation 
By Hideyuki Motohashi<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expressions from Social Media<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is so bipolar<\/strong> today. 
She is delusional<\/strong> if she thinks we\u2019ll meet again. 
I\u2019m OCD<\/strong> about keeping my room neat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you translate these expressions? They may simply mean \u201cmoody,\u201d \u201cunrealistic,\u201d or \u201coverly particular.\u201d Translators may hesitate between staying close to the original nuance and replacing it with everyday Japanese that reflects the speaker\u2019s intended meaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I encounter such expressions in my work, I still pause over the right Japanese wording. Translators may balance the speaker\u2019s voice with ethical considerations, as metaphorical uses of mental health diagnoses can contribute to stigma. Sometimes I hit a wall, and my desk soon fills with reference books. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong> <\/td>Clinical translation<\/strong> <\/td>Everyday translation<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
He is so bipolar<\/strong> today. <\/td>\u5f7c\u306f\u4eca\u65e5\u3001\u53cc\u6975\u75c7<\/strong>\u306e\u75c7\u72b6\u3092\u5448\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002 <\/td>\u5f7c\u306f\u4eca\u65e5\u3001\u6c17\u5206\u306e\u6d6e\u304d\u6c88\u307f\u304c\u6fc0\u3057\u3044<\/strong>\u3002 <\/td><\/tr>
She is delusional<\/strong> if she thinks we\u2019ll meet again. <\/td>\u5f7c\u5973\u306b\u306f\u3001\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u306e\u518d\u4f1a\u306b\u95a2\u3057\u3066\u5984\u60f3\u7684\u78ba\u4fe1<\/strong>\u304c\u8a8d\u3081\u3089\u308c\u308b\u3002 <\/td>\u5f7c\u5973\u306f\u300c\u79c1\u305f\u3061\u304c\u518d\u4f1a\u3059\u308b\u300d\u3068\u601d\u3044\u8fbc\u3093\u3067\u3044\u308b<\/strong>\u3002 <\/td><\/tr>
I\u2019m OCD<\/strong> about keeping my room neat. <\/td>\u79c1\u306f\u5f37\u8feb\u75c7<\/strong>\u3067\u3001\u90e8\u5c4b\u3092\u304d\u308c\u3044\u306b\u4fdd\u3064\u3053\u3068\u306b\u5f37\u3044\u3053\u3060\u308f\u308a\u304c\u3042\u308b\u3002 <\/td>\u81ea\u5206\u306e\u90e8\u5c4b\u3092\u304d\u308c\u3044\u306b\u4fdd\u3064\u3053\u3068\u306b\u3001\u79c1\u306f\u7d30\u304b\u304f\u6c17\u3092\u4f7f\u3046<\/strong>\u3002 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

These examples show how context affects word choice in Japanese. Clinical meanings tend to use more kanji and formal noun phrases, while everyday meanings often use more familiar words, hiragana, and verb or adjective phrases. In Japanese, kanji can feel formal or technical, while hiragana often feels softer and more approachable.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

English often uses related words in both clinical and everyday contexts, while Japanese can make the distinction more explicit through word choice. Choosing the right level of formality is important. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Categories and Narratives Coexist<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In mental health translation, diagnostic language and personal narrative sometimes coexist, bringing together the clinical perspective of the treatment team and the patient\u2019s own words. In psychotherapy transcripts, even small irregularities in speech can carry meaning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 The doctor and psychologist agreed that the patient\u2019s restlessness was more consistent with an anxiety disorder than attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as her childhood history revealed no clear evidence of ADHD symptoms. She said, \u201cI just… I couldn\u2019t stop pacing around the room. I kept thinking something bad was about to happen. My breathing just got faster and faster. That was really tough.\u201d  <\/td> \u751f\u80b2\u6b74\u306b\u304a\u3044\u3066\u6ce8\u610f\u6b20\u5982\u30fb\u591a\u52d5\u75c7\uff08ADHD\uff09\u306e\u75c7\u72b6\u3092\u793a\u5506\u3059\u308b\u6240\u898b\u304c\u8a8d\u3081\u3089\u308c\u306a\u3044\u305f\u3081\u3001\u60a3\u8005\u306e\u843d\u3061\u7740\u304d\u306e\u306a\u3055\u306fADHD\u3067\u306f\u306a\u304f\u4e0d\u5b89\u75c7\u306b\u3088\u308b\u3082\u306e\u3068\u533b\u5e2b\u30fb\u5fc3\u7406\u58eb\u9593\u3067\u610f\u898b\u304c\u4e00\u81f4\u3057\u305f\u3002\u5f7c\u5973\u306f\u3053\u3046\u8a71\u3057\u305f\u3002\u300c\u305f\u3060\u2026\u2026\u90e8\u5c4b\u306e\u4e2d\u3092\u6b69\u304d\u56de\u308b\u306e\u3092\u3084\u3081\u3089\u308c\u306a\u304f\u3066\u3002\u4f55\u304b\u826f\u304f\u306a\u3044\u3053\u3068\u304c\u8d77\u304d\u308b\u3093\u3058\u3083\u306a\u3044\u304b\u3063\u3066\u3001\u305a\u3063\u3068\u601d\u3063\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002\u606f\u304c\u3069\u3093\u3069\u3093\u901f\u304f\u306a\u3063\u3066\u3002\u672c\u5f53\u306b\u304d\u3064\u304b\u3063\u305f\u3067\u3059\u3002\u300d <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For that reason, I start by asking what function the term serves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • A diagnostic label <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • A clinical description<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • An everyday or metaphorical expression <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The following examples show how much the Japanese translation can change: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Diagnostic label<\/strong> <\/td>She was diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorder<\/strong>. <\/td>\u5f7c\u5973\u306f\u53cd\u5fa9\u6027\u3046\u3064\u75c5<\/strong>\u3068\u8a3a\u65ad\u3055\u308c\u305f\u3002 <\/td><\/tr>
    Clinical description<\/strong> <\/td>Her depression<\/strong> appears to stem from trauma. <\/td>\u5f7c\u5973\u306e\u6291\u3046\u3064<\/strong>\u306f\u5fc3\u7684\u5916\u50b7\u306b\u8d77\u56e0\u3059\u308b\u3088\u3046\u3060\u3002 <\/td><\/tr>
    Everyday language<\/strong> <\/td>I\u2019ve been depressed<\/strong> since the breakup. <\/td>\u5225\u308c\u3066\u304b\u3089\u3001\u843d\u3061\u8fbc\u3093\u3067\u3044\u308b<\/strong>\u3002 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    EBM and NBM<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The distinction between category and narrative can also be viewed through two complementary perspectives in medicine: Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and Narrative-Based Medicine (NBM). For translators, the key is knowing which perspective is warranted for the context. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The following table compares these perspectives:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

     <\/td>EBM<\/strong> <\/td>NBM<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
    Basic concepts<\/strong> <\/td>Integrates the best available research evidence<\/strong> with clinical expertise and the patient\u2019s values and preferences. <\/td>Emphasizes understanding a patient\u2019s experience and its meaning<\/strong> by listening to their stories about illness and recovery. <\/td><\/tr>
    Situations<\/strong> <\/td>Treatment planning, multidisciplinary collaboration, and research <\/td>Providing humanistic care and building trust <\/td><\/tr>
    Documents<\/strong> <\/td>Accuracy and consistency in terminology are vital.<\/strong> <\/td>Descriptive language conveys patient\u2019s experience vividly.<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Moving Between the Two Perspectives<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sometimes it is worth checking with the client whether your understanding matches the intended meaning. Before translating a mental health term, ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is it a diagnostic label, a clinical description, or an everyday or metaphorical expression? \u00a0
    Who is speaking, and who will read the translation?\u00a0
    What is the purpose of the document? \u00a0
    Where does the emphasis lie: category or narrative?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When I translate mental health texts, I ask myself, \u201cCategory or Narrative?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Note: All examples are hypothetical and do not refer to any real persons or events. The diagnostic terms follow the Japanese terminology adopted for ICD-11.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    References<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sackett, D. L., Rosenberg, W. M. C., Gray, J. A. M., Haynes, R. B., & Richardson, W. S. (1996). Evidence based medicine: What it is and what it isn\u2019t. BMJ, 312<\/em>(7023), 71\u201372.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Greenhalgh, T., & Hurwitz, B. (1999). Why study narrative? BMJ, 318<\/em>(7175), 48\u201350. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Author: Hideyuki Motohashi (\u672c\u6a4b\u82f1\u4e4b)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Editor: Nadine Edwards<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

    Guest contributor Hideyuki Motohashi is a certified public psychologist and certified clinical psychologist. He has been working in mental healthcare in various capacities since 2001. Motohashi is also an experienced Japanese\/English translator working both directions. Find out more about Hideyuki Motohashi at LinkedIn or ProZ. Category or Narrative? Perspectives in Mental Health Translation By Hideyuki Motohashi  Expressions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"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":[8,53,61,13,62],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-blog-posts","category-guest-post","category-medical-translation","category-translation","category-62","entry","has-post-thumbnail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"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\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1768"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1776,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1768\/revisions\/1776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ata-divisions.org\/JLD\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}