Japanese translation services?
Jesse emails:
My grandfather returned home from WWII with various pieces that he'd traded for, one of them being a Japanese flag with various messages written on it. We have always wondered what the messages read. I was wondering if AOA or its readers had any ideas where I could get a good Japanese to English translation done locally.
From what we understand, a few of the local colleges have Japanese departments (or, at least, instructors who teach Japanese) -- they might be a place to start. But we're kind of curious if there are local businesses that provide these sorts of services.
Anyone have suggestions for Jesse? Please share!
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Comments
My good friend translates Japanese...I'll forward her this post!
... said Margie C on Jan 31, 2011 at 12:44 PM | link
If you want a professional, proofread translation use an agency. There is a large one in cohoes: www.lingualinx.com
... said Jonathan SMith on Jan 31, 2011 at 1:28 PM | link
Well, I think you should definitely approach SUNY about it. I can speak Japanese just fine but I'm pretty sure your items are beyond my abilities. If you contacted the East Asian Studies Department at SUNY maybe they could even see about getting digital scans done and adding them to the library collection (you of course keeping the physical objects)
Why not contact the current chair of SUNY Albany's East Asian Studies department:
http://www.albany.edu/eas/
http://www.albany.edu/eas/deblasi.shtml
(department chair's profile)
... said Adam on Jan 31, 2011 at 8:07 PM | link
The flag was likely removed from a fallen soldier. Before leaving for the front, friends and families wrote personal messages on a flag to be carried into battle by the departing soldier as keep-sake and protection. Translation can be a real challenge and a major undertaking due to archaic and illegible Japanese. No matter how stilted the patriotic language in those inscriptions, be sure that each one translates to a broken heart for a loved one who never made it back home again.
... said Ken Clark on Feb 4, 2011 at 4:40 PM | link