Highlights from IJET33 (8/100)

IJET33 – May 9–11, 2025, Hilton Fukuoka Seahawk

• Keynote Takeaways

  • Learning about the workflow behind Hollywood productions was incredibly eye-opening—definitely not something I would have had the chance to learn elsewhere. I was especially fascinated by the pre-production procedures.

  • The level of research that goes into word choice blew my mind. Since I've never worked on a period drama, I never even considered checking when a certain word entered the language.

  • I also found the discussion about a script's intended audience very thought-provoking. I've worked as a quality assurance checker on several scripts, and it made me realize I should be asking who the target audience is—it could potentially change how you evaluate or revise a translation.

  Sessions That Left an Impression

  • "Interpreting Has Opened Up My World – 通訳者としての道のりと覚悟 (My Journey and Readiness as an Interpreter)"
    Since IIve started studying interpreting, I was curious to learn what a professional interpreter's daily life looks like. The speaker shared her notebooks with us—their precision and the depth of her research made me question if I'm truly ready for this path. Her practical tips for study and improvement were incredibly helpful, and I plan to start implementing them right away.

  • "The Human 'Plus Alpha' in the Age of Generative AI"
    Several sessions touched on AI, but I chose this one because it also dealt with tourism—an area I'm passionate about since I work with the Yamadera Tourism Association. I found the explanation of how AI generates its answers very insightful—it helped me understand why AI-generated translations between Japanese and English often seem off. And to think it was because of something as simple as spacing! I also appreciated the interactive format; people shared their thoughts freely,  which really energized the room.

  Networking Wins

  • Met some interpreters at the Zenyasai who told me about a morning study group—I joined on the spot!

  • Had great conversations with game translators and a webtoon translator. It was fascinating to see both the overlaps and differences in our work.

  • Finally met in person many people I had only interacted with online—so nice to put faces to names.

  • Also connected with a (hopefully!) future collaborative partner. Looking forward to what might come of it.

  Personal Reflections

  • Even though it's been seven years since I started working in subtitle translation, I still feel like a newbie. I don't yet have the confidence to walk up to potential clients and say, “Here’s what I can offer.” Maybe it's because I haven't worked in a corporate setting, or maybe I just feel like I don't have much to say. I asked questions during most sessions, but didn't feel I had much to contribute in return.

  Things to Explore Further

  • I'm definitely going to try out the website recommended in the Interpreting Has Opened Up My World session, and I'm looking forward to attending the morning study group.

  • The 現代語古語類語辞典 also piqued my interest. Even if I never get to use it professionally, it sounds like a fascinating resource—it lists synonyms along with the era they were most commonly used.