Translation
Translation of the contract
Need Japanese Translation?
Japanese is spoken by around 123 million people worldwide. It uses a mixture of scripts: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji, many of which originate from Chinese characters. While primarily used in Japan, Japanese can feel unfamiliar and complex to foreign learners.
A Language of Mixed Orthography
Hiragana, derived from simplified Chinese characters, is used for grammatical elements and native words. Katakana, used for foreign words, sound effects, and proper nouns, originated from simplified strokes of Kanji. Though often pronounced the same, Hiragana and Katakana differ in usage and appearance.
Japanese also rely on pitch accents instead of stress accents, as English does. This means that the meaning of words can change depending on pitch.
Characteristics of Japanese Translation
Although Japanese has a similar word order to Korean and may feel familiar, careful attention is required when translating due to its various honorifics, contextual interpretations of Kanji, and nuances in colloquial speech.1) Formal (written) Japanese
- Honorifics: Japanese has Keigo (honorific speech), which includes polite, respectful, and humble forms. Choosing the right level is crucial.
- Kanji complexity: The same character may have different readings and meanings depending on context, requiring a high linguistic intuition.
2) Colloquial (spoken) Japanese
For example, the sound “hashi” can mean:
- 橋 (bridge)
- 箸 (chopsticks)
- 端 (edge)
Meaning is determined by tone and context, so accurate judgment is also necessary in colloquial translations.
