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Although no definite link has been established between Japanese and any other language, Japanese adopted the Chinese ideographic characters in the 3rd century A.D.
Common words used in referring to written Japanese are kanji and kana (or hiragana or katakana). Kanji is the word for the Chinese derived characters that dominate the language. Kana are sound-based (syllabic) characters and are easily distinguished from kanji characters as they are much simpler in design. Modern Japanese is written with a mixture of kanji and kana characters.
Japanese Translation
The vast majority of texts can be readily and easily translated between English and Japanese. Nevertheless the major differences between Japanese and Western traditions, thought and culture do create challenges when dealing with certain concepts and subject areas. However Japanese-English translators are trained in techniques and approaches to overcoming these difficulties.
English company and personal names will generally be transliterated in Japanese – the approximate sounds of the English name reproduced in Japanese characters.
Japanese Typesetting
Whilst Microsoft Office applications and web design programs can handle Japanese fonts (double byte characters), most English graphic design programs cannot. InDesign and Illustrator are exceptions, and with these programs Japanese translations are normally supplied as standard files with the Japanese text typeset and then outlined to curves. For other programs, the Japanese translation is normally typeset in Illustrator then placed in the design file as outlined eps files.
Typesetting Japanese text poses no particular difficulties or problems for the experienced Japanese typesetter, although occasionally space issues can arise as Japanese translations often take up a little more space than the equivalent English text. Japanese text can run either vertically or horizontally, with the latter more common these days.
In addition to an appreciation of Japanese design aesthetics, appropriate font selection is vital for Japanese typesetting, and should be left to our Japanese typesetters. Choosing fonts based on European aesthetic considerations frequently results in a less than optimal impact to the discerning Japanese eye.
The International Language Company Advantage:
The Best Translators
We use only experienced, professionally qualified Japanese
translators with a proven track record of consistent professional-quality
work.
Quality Assurance
All translations undergo full checking and proofing procedures
to ensure accuracy and eliminate ‘human error’. All typesetting
is double checked and subject to translator sign off before
delivery.
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Full confidentiality of all material is guaranteed at all times.
Experience!
We have over 18 years experience translating and typesetting
all types of materials in over 80 languages.
