This introductory translation course is designed for students who have experience and/or interest in Japanese translation but have never been formally trained. This course utilizes content-based instruction so that students of advanced-level Japanese proficiency can enhance their competence in all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) while developing translation skills. Students must have a strong command of both Japanese and English. Although the course focuses on business translation rather than literary translation, course materials include a diverse range of genres and styles.

• Acquire and use the basic tools necessary to translate from the source language to the target language, such as transfer competence, linguistic and sociocultural knowledge of Japanese, and increased comprehension and expressive ability.
• Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of translation tasks and approaches to professional translation practices, ethics, and methods, and thereby becoming a generalist translator rather than a specialist.
• Utilize cultivated research skills needed to engage with various topics and genres.
• Translate in accordance with various text types and their conventions, such as style and tone.
• Speak at an Advanced-mid, or higher, level of proficiency as defined by the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview.

Course Requirements:

Attendance and Participation, In-class and Online Discussions, Translation Assignments, Essays, Projects, and Exam

Intended Audience:

Upper-level undergraduates and graduate students who have or will have some experience in Japanese translation but have never been formally trained. Preferably students who have completed one of the 400-level Japanese courses. Students must have a strong command of both Japanese and English.