This course delves into the intricate art and science of translating and localizing diverse Japanese and English texts. Our source materials (ST) span a wide range, from traditional texts to digital content in movies, TV shows, anime, websites, and software, ensuring a rich and varied learning experience.
Engage with a mix of technical, business, and creative documents, providing a well-rounded perspective on translation challenges. This course is not just about converting words; it's about conveying meanings, emotions, and cultural nuances. Prepare for engaging mini-translation assignments and two major projects - a mid-term and a final - where you'll showcase your translation prowess and analyze the nuances between the ST and the target texts (TT).
A unique feature of this course is the exploration of AI-generated translation. We'll critically examine its capabilities, discussing where it excels and where human intuition remains irreplaceable. Your active participation is key, both in class and on our Canvas forums. Share your insights, debate viewpoints, and learn collaboratively through class interaction and exchange. The instruction is conducted mostly in Japanese mixed with some English to supplement your understanding, immersing you in the language and culture you are mastering. Join us on this exciting journey to become skilled translators in this interconnected world.
The class discussion will be conducted primarily in Japanese with occasional English clarification as needed.
- Utilize Translation Theory Metalanguage: Effectively employ metalanguage in both English and Japanese to discuss and analyze various aspects of translation and localization.
- Critique AI-Generated Translations: Conduct a critical evaluation of AI-generated target texts (TTs), identifying and assessing the strengths and weaknesses of this technology.
- Identify Translation Challenges: Recognize and understand the complexities in source texts (STs) that present significant challenges for translation and localization.
- Showcase Cultural and Linguistic Competence: Demonstrate a deep understanding of language and cultural differences by producing accurately translated and localized versions of the challenging source texts identified.
- Evaluate Personal Translation Work: Apply the criteria used in the critical analysis of machine translation (MT) to assess your own translated/localized texts, recognizing both the strengths and limitations encountered in your translation/localization process.
All course materials will be provided online through Canvas.
Grades in this course are based on a combination of active participation, homework assignments, vocabulary quizzes, and two major projects (mid-term and final). Active class and discussion board participation accounts for 13% of the final grade and is evaluated based on the quality and consistency of contributions in Japanese (with English used as needed for clarification). Homework assignments (25%) consist of independent mini-translation tasks followed by peer interaction and revision through Canvas. Vocabulary quizzes (12%) are administered regularly to assess students’ mastery of key Japanese and English terminology necessary for class discussion and translation analysis. The mid-term project (25%) and final project (25%) include written papers and recorded presentations and are evaluated using clearly defined criteria, including analytical depth, application of translation theory, linguistic accuracy, and presentation effectiveness. Final letter grades are assigned according to the standard Georgia Tech grading scale (A = 90–100, B = 80–89, C = 70–79, D = 60–69, F = below 60). Up to 3% extra credit may be earned through optional public-facing project summaries with appropriate permissions.
This is an in-person course, and regular attendance is essential. Students are expected to arrive fully prepared and actively participate in all class activities. Each student may miss up to two class meetings without penalty. Absences beyond this limit may negatively affect participation and performance grades. In-class behaviors indicating lack of engagement—such as sleeping, texting, or working on unrelated tasks—will result in reduced participation scores. The use of laptops or mobile devices is not permitted unless explicitly authorized by the instructor. Absences due to officially recognized reasons (e.g., institute-related activities, religious observances, jury duty, funerals) will be handled in accordance with Georgia Tech policies. Students who miss class due to illness or emergency should notify the instructor as soon as possible and submit an Institute Approved Absence (IAA) form through the Registrar’s Office. Approved absences will be communicated to the instructor automatically. Participation grades are updated weekly and can be viewed in Canvas.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.
JAPN 4123: Technical and Business Translation in Japanese
This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Humanities area.
Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals.
This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question:
- How do I interpret human experience through creative, linguistic, and philosophical works?
Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome:
- Students will effectively analyze and interpret the meaning, cultural significance, and ethical implications of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.
Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence