Aug 19, 2007
Now that we've flipped the switch and officially launched our new site, we'd like to tell everyone a little bit about it.
Why a new site?
According to the
wayback machine, JAT has maintained a web site since late 1996. Since then, it has grown from a collection of links to include to a searchable member database and an integrated mailing list. Unfortunately, the infrastructure upon which the site was built wasn't really equipped to handle its new responsibilities, and like a translation that has been revised by generations of editors, was drowning in cruft. The recently elected board decided to make this a priority, and has decided to make the switch from a hand-coded system to one based on well-tested frameworks.
What's new?
Because most of the changes to the new site are in the background, the new site currently looks much like the old one, with a few exceptions:
A linkable page for every member
The six separate directories on the old site have been replaced by a single, unified interface. Instead of a public directory (that anyone can see) and a private directory (that only JAT members can see), there is a single directory that displays all profiles to logged-in members, and only public profiles to everyone else. And unlike the last directory, every member now has their own linkable and bookmarkable page, from which they can be contacted by other members.
Improved site organization
Since the new site is based on a content management system, the JAT admins no longer need to wade through a mess of inconsistent HTML to update the web site, and can manage the entire site from a single web-based interface. This is going to make it much easier for us to not only add fresh content, but add it in both English and Japanese, since multi-lingual support is baked into the platform.
What next?
Searchable archives, linked to member profile pages
Our next goal for the site is to integrate the archives for jat-list in realtime, linked with the profiles of each members. This is currently available separately at
jat-lists thanks to the hard work of previous Webmaster Ryan Ginstrom, but we're going to try to integrate it with the rest of the site to make everything easier to find.
More content in both English and Japanese
Now that we have a content management system in place to manage everything, it will be much easier to add content for both languages. The JAT board is going to make efforts to have most of the important site content in both languages from now on.
We'll explain more over the coming weeks about additional functionality available on the new site, including
OpenID (a new way to manage your logins) and
Gravatars (to put your picture on your profile page).
Keep in mind that we'll be making small tweaks to the functionality and style of the site over the next few months, so please let our
Webmaster know if you have any ideas or suggestions.
Read more...
Jul 27, 2007
The finalists for both the Japanese to English contest and the English to Japanese contest have been finalized.
The winner will be announced on February 14.
For further information please contact
[email protected]
Designed to foster, recognize, and reward excellence in commercial, non-literary translation between Japanese and English by new translators, the fourth annual awards will be given in 2008. A 450-member-strong organization of professional freelance and in-house translators and interpreters, JAT is dedicated to promoting the interests of individual translators and interpreters working between Japanese and English worldwide.
FOURTH ANNUAL JAT CONTEST FOR NEW AND ASPIRING TRANSLATORS
- Sponsored by: Japan Association of Translators (JAT)
- Purpose: To cultivate new talent in commercial, non-literary translation
- Qualification: Anyone with less than three years of commercial translation experience. (JAT membership not required. Except for the winners, entrants in the past contests are welcome to enter again.)
- Categories: Japanese-to-English and English-to-Japanese
- Entry fee: Free
- Awards (each category):
The First Place winner in each category will receive a free trip to IJET-19, to be held on April 12 (Sat.) and 13 (Sun.), 2008 in Okinawa, Japan, including registration fee, round-trip ticket, and hotel accommodations (3 nights), plus a one-year membership in JAT. Each Second Place winner will receive a one-year membership in JAT.
Judges
- Japanese-to-English: Malcolm James, Steve Venti, Ken Wagner
- English-to-Japanese: Junko Ogawara, Ayako Sato, Yukari Ishihara
Contest Schedule
- Oct. 15, 2007 - Source texts available for downloading from the JAT website
- Nov. 30, 2007 (24:00 Japan Time)- Submission deadline
- Jan. 18, 2008 - Five finalists announced on JAT website
- Feb. 14, 2008 - Awards announced on JAT website and by direct e-mail to the winners
- April - Winners invited to IJET-19 in Okinawa, Japan
CONTEST GUIDELINES
About the Source Text
The material to be translated will be content intended for the general public educated in the source language. Refer to
Previous JAT Translation Contests for the source texts used in the previous contests.
Download the source text for the J>E contest here
Download the source text for the E>J contest here
Submission Guidelines
ENTRY FORM – JAT Translation Contest
- Submissions must be sent as an MS Word .doc file or a plain text file by file attachment with your entry form.
- Your file should only contain the translated text. Do not write your name or comments.
- Name the file as follows:
CONTEST E your name (e.g. CONTEST E Maria Sharapova)
- Submissions will be confirmed by return e-mail.
- Only one entry per person is allowed in each category.
Copyright
- All submissions become the property of JAT and will not be returned.
- JAT retains the copyright to all submitted entries.
- JAT reserves all rights to publicize the winners' names, winning entry, photo and/or likenesses, and background information on its web site, mailing list, and electronic or printed publications.
Judging
- Entries will be judged in three stages in accordance with the evaluation criteria provided by the judging panel. The ID numbers and translations of the five finalists will be announced on JAT website on January 18, 2008.
- The decision of the judges is final. There is no appeal or contesting of the results.
Awards in Detail
JAT will pay the following:
- Round trip economy travel from home to IJET by the most direct route.
- If traveling by train, "economy" includes a seat reservation, but excludes first class and sleeper fares.
- If traveling by personal vehicle (e.g., car), base mileage allowances (as defined by the relevant tax authority) plus parking expenses (for a maximum three nights at the hotel where the winner is staying) shall be paid.
- Hotel for three nights standard accommodation at or near the IJET venue.
- Receipts are required for all reimbursements.
- Travel arrangements and details will be discussed with the winners in advance of purchase.
Disqualification
The following are cause for disqualification.
- Incomplete application
- Entry received after the deadline
- Entry under someone else’s name, or work done by someone other than the contestant
- Dishonesty about one's qualifications
For further information please contact
[email protected]
Read more...
Jul 25, 2007
Terms of Use: Introduction
These terms are the official JAT policy with regards to the use of the JAT mailing lists (also see the JAT Bylaws, Section VII). See the FAQ for information on how to access the lists, manage your account, and send and receive email in English and Japanese.
Preface: What are the JAT mailing lists?
The JAT mailing lists are the official mailing lists of the Japan Association of Translators. Only paid-up members are allowed to use these lists.
1. What is the focus of the lists?
JAT-list
JAT-List ([email protected]) is the main mailing list for all JAT members. This list is for the discussion of issues related to translation and interpretation, whether they be about language, technology, trends in the industry, or how to translate 等.
Messages regarding JAT as an organization and matters concerning how JAT is (or should be) run are not suitable for this list. In the past members have complained about such messages, and some have left the mailing list in order to avoid these discussions.
2. What type of mail is appropriate?
Generally, the only restrictions are that your post should pertain to translation between Japanese and English for JAT-list. Please don't cross-post information from other lists or Usenet newsgroups unless it relates directly to discussion on the list. Since the list is concerned with the use of language, we sometimes do discuss crude language, but we still try to be polite about it.
We can discuss anything on the mailing lists as long as what is said is "true and fair". For example, we can say that Company XXX has not paid up promptly in the past, but not that Company XXX is the worst payer in existence.
2.1. Agency enquiries (JAT-list)
When requesting an agency check please give as many details as possible. There are two basic reasons for this:
- It will avoid possible confusion. There are a lot of agencies out there with the same or very similar sounding names.
- One agency could get a bad name and start up business under a new name. It has happened in the past. In this case knowing the address, telephone number, person in charge, etc may give us a hint.
And remember, when replying keep your comments fair and true. It is safest to stick to what you know first-hand and can back up with evidence. Someone who works for the agency in question may be on this list.
2.2. Use your full name
Contributors must include their full name, as registered with JAT, at the end of each post.
3. What type of mail is inappropriate?
3.1. Mail from companies:
Since these lists are for JAT members and only individuals can join JAT, even if you happen to be an employee of, for example, a translation company, please post in your name, not the company's name.
3.2 Personal attacks:
Discussion is welcome. Lively discussion can certainly be healthy but make certain that these discussions do not get personal. You can criticize a point of view all you like but do not turn this into an attack on the sender. If you wish to continue this kind of dialogue, please do it off-line.
3.3. Only members may post.
Many members share computers with work associates, spouses, family members. However, only JAT members may post to these lists.
4. Who is responsible for content?
This list is not "moderated" in that a post is ordinarily not screened before it is distributed to list members. Moderators do read the mail after it has been distributed; however, even they are not responsible for the content of a post.
As for responsibility for any defamatory comment (if it ever comes up), it lies with the person who made that comment *as long as the JAT-list Administrator has informed all subscribers to make comments which are true and fair*. As long as the JAT-list Administrator makes this point clear to all concerned, it will be considered that the JAT-list Administrator has taken *reasonable care* in ensuring that no defamation arises. Members are reminded of their responsibility in the footer at the bottom of each post.
5. Mailing list rules
All JAT lists are covered by JAT mail policy as stated in the bylaws and these terms of use.
Offenders will lose mailing privileges according to the following schedule:
First offense: 2 days to one week
Second offense: one week to one month
A third offense will bring an automatic review of the person's membership standing by the board.
Concerning the above
The severity of the penalty will be at the discretion of the the list administrator.
Obviously the timing of offenses is crucial. Although a second offense that occurs within days or weeks of a first offense will certainly incur a more severe penalty, a second offense 5 years after the first offense would not. Again this decision is at the discretion of the list administrator.
Please send all correspondence regarding these Terms of Use to the Webmaster.
Read more...
Jul 25, 2007
Designed to foster, recognize, and reward excellence in commercial, non-literary translation between Japanese and English by new translators, the annual JAT award for new and aspiring translators was started in 2004 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Japan Association of Translators.
Read more...
Jul 16, 2007
The International Japanese English Translation (IJET) Conference was started by the Japan Association of Translators (JAT) nearly 22 years ago, as an effort to enable translators working between the Japanese and English languages to meet, share knowledge and skills, and network.
IJET has since grown to a highly successful annual conference. It is held each year, alternating years between Japan and an overseas venue. The next IJET, IJET-22, will be held in Seattle, Washington on the weekend of 14-15 May 2011.
Read more...