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We observe different approaches to writing in Japanese and Western English. Some differences are small while others are significant. Because we are shaped by our language and culture, we need to become aware of the differences between written Japanese and written English. If we want to produce effective translations that express the intended source meaning in the target language, we need to temporarily push aside our language culture and adopt the target language culture. We need to do so because effective translation requires that meaning take the primary role.
Americans who read Japanese, for example, might be upset at reading a translation of their document into Japanese and seeing apologies. Americans would most likely think that they have no reason to apologize. They may read Japanese and understand the surface meaning of the translation. However, they may fail to understand the deeper meaning. The apology itself is not truly an apology as an American would most likely understand apologies. If Americans truly understood the deeper meaning of the translation, they would know that good cultural manners required such a social lubricant.
Similarly, a Japanese who reads English might look at their Japanese to English translation and wonder what happened to the appropriate comments about the weather and changing seasons. Most would have been deleted. English does not value such comments. If Japanese see that the sentences have been deleted and think that their polite letter has become rude, they will be dissatisfied. If, however, they understand that this is not culturally relevant and will annoy the reader, the translated changes will be understood as appropriate. Similarly, Japanese may see that some of their sentences have been deleted. Translators will delete sentences that are repetitive. Such repetition is much more acceptable in Japanese than in English.
Few of us are completely comfortable in a second culture, and translations that we perceive as changing our words may make us uncomfortable. Even if the meaning is translated correctly so the target audience will understand, we may still feel uncomfortable. We may feel more comfortable if the translation is something that fits with our cultural language, even if such a translation annoys or alienates the reader.
The question becomes which is more important, the cultural values of the person writing the document, or the person reading in another language and understanding. The answer depends on your goal. The question is whether or not you prefer to communicate effectively and reach your target audience. We believe that competent translators and their knowledgeable clients will say the target culture is more important. We believe the first step to becoming a competent translator or a knowledgeable client is asking such a question. The second step is to become aware of the cultural differences between the source language and the target language.
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