Looking for expert Japanese translation services? Since 2003, Green Crescent has been providing professional translation services between English and Japanese to clients worldwide. We cater to various industries, including legal, technical, marketing, and business. Our team guarantees accurate, high-quality translations for all your Japanese language needs. Get a fast, free Japanese translation quote today!
Our Comprehensive Japanese Translation Services
Green Crescent’s skilled team of Japanese translators includes subject matter experts for industry-specific needs. We provide translations tailored to various Japanese dialects, including:
- Standard Japanese (Tokyo dialect)
- Regional Dialects (e.g., Kansai, Hiroshima)
- Business Japanese
- Technical Japanese
- Academic Japanese
We specialize in both English to Japanese and Japanese to English translations, offering the following services:
Simple Translation
Our simple translations in the English/Japanese language pair are designed for basic communication needs. These translations are completed by a single Japanese translator without the involvement of an editor or proofreader and should not be considered final or polished work for most professional or formal use cases. While they are typically of high quality, simple translations are essentially "rough drafts" that do not go through additional editing, proofreading, or other quality control processes. These translations are ideal for personal letters, informal communications, initial drafts that will later be revised, or for situations where you need to quickly understand the general meaning or "gist" of a Japanese text.
Standard Translation (TEP)
Our Standard Japanese Translation service is designed to provide high-quality translations for everyday use, including business correspondence, websites, reports, presentations, and similar content. This service includes translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) to ensure the highest level of accuracy and clarity in your Japanese communications.
Organization Critical Translation (TEP+)
Our Organization Critical Japanese Translation service is designed for situations where perfection is essential. This option is recommended for texts intended for large-scale printing, technical documents, legal contracts and patents, medical documents, or any case where an error could be critical or costly. Each translated line is reviewed by a minimum of three linguists, with multiple rounds of proofreading. Subject matter experts (SMEs) may be involved as needed throughout the Japanese translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) process.
Bilingual Editing
Bilingual Editing for Japanese Translation is the process of editing a translated text by comparing both the source and target texts in the English/Japanese language pair. The editor, fluent in the source language and a native speaker of Japanese, ensures that the translation is accurate, consistent, and faithful to the source text while also maintaining clarity and fluency in Japanese. This step occurs after the initial translation in our TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofreading) Organization Critical and Standard Translation services. We also offer this service as a standalone option for translations completed by individuals or organizations not affiliated with Green Crescent.
Proofreading
With each additional round of editing and proofreading, the error rate of a document approaches the perfection horizon. Our proofreading service for English to Japanese and Japanese to English translations involves reviewing a single-language text to identify and correct surface-level errors, such as spelling mistakes, grammar issues, punctuation errors, and formatting inconsistencies. This step is the final phase in our TEP (Translation, Editing, Proofreading) Organization Critical and Standard translation services. We also offer proofreading as a standalone service for translations completed by individuals or organizations not affiliated with Green Crescent.
Legal Translation
Green Crescent's elite team of linguists, each with subject matter expertise in specialized legal fields, is ready to assist you with the translation of a wide range of judicial, administrative, and private legal documents between Japanese and English. Nearly all countries recognize that submitting documents for translation does not compromise attorney-client privilege. Furthermore, we can implement enhanced security measures to ensure strict confidentiality upon request.
Technical Translation
Technical translations involve any text that features specialized vocabulary or language registers, necessitating additional research and terminology verification. Common technical subject matter includes legal, medical, scientific, engineering, and IT topics, but any text that utilizes industry-specific terminology or neologisms may be considered technical in nature. These translations cannot be executed by generalists alone; they require the expertise of linguists with in-depth knowledge of the relevant technical field in both Japanese and English.
Medical Translation
Green Crescent has established protocols to ensure compliance with HIPAA and HITECH regulations, which you can learn more about here. Our Japanese medical translations are treated as "organization critical," unless otherwise specified, and we are committed to implementing the necessary digital security measures and legal safeguards for every project subject to HIPAA and HITECH requirements. Our team of skilled linguists, specialized in medical terminology, ensures that your translations are both accurate and secure.
Localization
Our translation services are tailored for specific target markets that require non-standard varieties or dialects of the Japanese language. Green Crescent is equipped to accommodate requests for localized Japanese translation, ensuring that your content resonates with the intended audience. Our experienced linguists are well-versed in the nuances of Japanese, allowing us to provide translations that are not only accurate but also culturally relevant and engaging. By focusing on the unique linguistic characteristics of the Japanese language, we help you effectively connect with your audience and enhance the impact of your message.
Website, App, and Software Localization for Japanese
At Green Crescent, we leverage our extensive experience in software development to provide specialized Japanese localization services. We excel in adapting your website, app, or software’s content, design, and functionality for Japanese-speaking audiences. Whether you need a fully multilingual solution or specific adaptations for Japanese, our services encompass translating text, adjusting images, and modifying layouts. We also adapt and program code for both mobile and desktop applications, ensuring that your app functions seamlessly across Japanese-speaking regions while adhering to platform-specific guidelines. Let us help you create an engaging and culturally relevant experience for your Japanese-speaking users.
Back-translation
Back-translation is often a crucial component of the quality control process, particularly when translating highly technical documents or for critical translations in the Japanese/English language pair where an error could have significant consequences. This process involves an independent linguist translating a previously translated text back into its original source language—either Japanese or English—without reference to the original document. The resulting text is then compared to the original translation to verify its intelligibility, accuracy, and suitability for its intended use. Back-translation is also relevant in situations such as the translation of legal documents, medical texts, and marketing materials, where precise wording is essential. It can be particularly beneficial when adapting content for different cultural contexts, ensuring that the intended message is preserved and resonates appropriately with the target audience in both Japanese and English.
Peer Review
Green Crescent offers professional focus group services that include a comprehensive "read-through" conducted by one or more linguists who were not involved in the original translation process. This approach allows for an unbiased assessment of the translation's quality, style, and overall fitness for its intended purpose. The focus group can evaluate various aspects of the text, including linguistic accuracy, cultural relevance, and the effectiveness of the messaging in reaching the target audience. Feedback is provided on how well the translation conveys the original intent and nuances of the source material, ensuring that it resonates with readers in both Japanese and English contexts.
SME Review
Subject Matter Expert (SME) review is a specialized form of peer review conducted by non-linguist professionals with deep expertise in specific fields. This process is particularly important for Japanese to English or English to Japanese translations of highly technical texts, ensuring that the content is both linguistically accurate and technically precise. In fields such as legal, medical, scientific, and engineering, SMEs help verify the correct use of industry-specific terminology, adherence to regulatory or technical standards, and the contextual relevance of the translated material. By incorporating SME review into the translation process, we ensure that your final product is not only fluent and culturally appropriate but also technically sound and ready for professional use in both Japanese- and English-speaking markets.
Transcreation
Our Japanese Transcreation Service goes beyond simple translation by creatively adapting your content to resonate with Japanese-speaking audiences. At Green Crescent, we ensure that your brand’s messages, campaigns, and communications maintain their original intent, emotional impact, and tone, while aligning with the cultural and linguistic nuances of the target market. Whether it’s marketing, branding, or advertising, we reimagine your content to feel authentic and compelling in Japanese, helping your brand connect meaningfully and effectively with Japanese-speaking audiences.
MTPE-Full (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Full)
MTPE-Full (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Full) refers to the comprehensive post-editing of a machine-translated text between Japanese and English, ensuring the final product meets the highest standards of linguistic quality. In this process, once the machine generates the translation, a skilled human editor thoroughly reviews the entire content, ensuring that it is not only accurate in meaning but also flows naturally and fluently in the target language. This detailed editing process includes correcting grammar, syntax, and terminology, adapting the text for the intended audience, and ensuring it adheres to any stylistic preferences or regulatory requirements. MTPE-Full is ideal for business-critical documents where the quality of translation is paramount.
MTPE-Light (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Light)
MTPE-Light (Machine Translation Post-Editing - Light) is a more streamlined version of our post-editing services, designed for internal or non-critical documents that require basic comprehension of the content. In this case, machine-generated translations are reviewed and corrected for obvious errors, ensuring that the core meaning is conveyed without the in-depth editing and localization applied in our MTPE-Full service. MTPE-Light is suitable for personal use, preliminary drafts, or internal communications where immediate understanding is the primary goal, rather than stylistic perfection or cultural adaptation.
Additional Language Services and Options for Japanese
Certified Translation
Green Crescent provides certified translations of a wide range of legal documents, including birth, marriage, and death certificates, diplomas, school transcripts, passports, and more, in both Japanese and English. Our certified translations are recognized for their accuracy and compliance with legal standards, making them suitable for official use. You can receive hard copies of our standard certificate of translation mailed directly to your home or business.
Rush Service
If you require expedited service, Green Crescent can usually accommodate such requests. However, please note that rushing translations often comes with trade-offs, which may affect both price and consistency. Please consult with a project manager for more details.
Discounts
Volume discounts are available for large projects, long-term clients, and for non-profits, charities, NGOs, and government organizations.
Minimum Fee
There is a minimum project fee of $75.00 USD per language, which can be reduced or waived for regular clients.
Additional Language Services
In addition to translation, Green Crescent offers a range of other Japanese language services, including interpretation, transcription, website design and development, and desktop publishing.
About the Japanese Language
Japanese is spoken by over 125 million people, primarily in Japan, where it is the official language. It also enjoys a significant presence among Japanese-speaking communities around the world, notably in countries like Brazil and the United States. As a member of the Japonic language family, Japanese has a unique structure and vocabulary that sets it apart from many other languages, contributing to its rich cultural heritage.
Japan: The Cultural Context and Linguistic Features
Japanese is often considered a "contextual" language, where the meaning of words can change significantly based on social context and relationship dynamics. This complexity is reflected in its extensive use of honorifics, which indicate respect and hierarchy in conversation. The language’s written forms consist of three scripts—kanji (漢字), hiragana (ひらがな), and katakana (カタカナ)—further enriching its linguistic landscape and allowing for nuanced expression in both formal and informal settings.
The historical development of Japanese has been influenced by contact with Chinese culture, particularly in the realms of literature and philosophy. This interaction has resulted in a significant number of loanwords and kanji, which play a critical role in contemporary Japanese writing. Classical works, such as "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu, continue to inform modern literature and are a testament to Japan's literary prowess.
In addition to its linguistic beauty, Japan is a global leader in technology, arts, and cuisine. The Japanese language is not only a means of communication but also a vessel of cultural identity, encompassing traditions, customs, and artistic expressions—from haiku poetry to contemporary anime and manga.
The Writing System: A Blend of Scripts
The Japanese writing system is distinctive and multifaceted, primarily consisting of four scripts:
Kanji (漢字):
These logographic characters, borrowed from Chinese, represent whole words or concepts. Kanji are essential for nouns, verb stems, and adjectives, providing depth and meaning to written Japanese.
Hiragana (ひらがな):
This phonetic script is used for native Japanese words and grammatical elements. Hiragana plays a crucial role in denoting particles, verb endings, and words that lack kanji representations, facilitating fluid reading and writing.
Katakana (カタカナ):
Another phonetic script, katakana is primarily used for foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia, scientific terms, and for emphasis. It is particularly useful in contexts such as naming plants and animals or highlighting specific terms.
Romaji (ローマ字):
This system Romanizes Japanese, utilizing the Latin alphabet to represent Japanese sounds. Romaji is often employed for language learning, signage for foreign visitors, or in digital contexts where typing in kanji or kana may be challenging.
Together, these scripts create a unique writing system that reflects the complexity and beauty of the Japanese language.
Japan: The Standard Dialect and its Cultural Legacy
Japanese as spoken in Tokyo is often considered the "standard" dialect, largely due to Japan's historical and cultural influence over centuries. The language has evolved through various historical phases, including the Heian period, which significantly shaped modern Japanese literature and poetry. Contemporary Japanese literature, exemplified by authors such as Haruki Murakami and Yasunari Kawabata, continues to impact global literary circles.
Japan's influence in technology, art, and culture is profound. From traditional arts such as tea ceremony and calligraphy to contemporary expressions like anime and manga, Japanese culture resonates worldwide. The language is also essential for understanding Japan's rich history, from the samurai era to modern society.
Japanese features a complex system of honorifics and levels of politeness that reflect social hierarchies. This aspect is integral to communication, influencing how speakers interact based on context and relationships. As such, understanding these nuances is crucial for effective translation and cultural adaptation.
Regional Dialects and Variations
Japan is home to several regional dialects, known as "hōgen," which can differ significantly from standard Japanese. These dialects often exhibit variations in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar, reflecting the diverse cultural identities across the country. While standard Japanese, based primarily on the Tokyo dialect, is widely understood and used in formal settings, local dialects add richness and depth to the language, preserving unique expressions and cultural heritage.
Key Linguistic Differences Between Japanese and English for Translation
When translating between Japanese and English, several linguistic factors must be considered to ensure accurate and effective communication. Below are some critical differences:
Sentence Structure:
Japanese typically follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure, whereas English follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) pattern. For example, "I eat sushi" in English translates to "Watashi wa sushi o tabemasu" (私は寿司を食べます) in Japanese, demonstrating the distinct order and grammatical markers used.
Politeness Levels:
Japanese has multiple levels of politeness that affect verb conjugation and vocabulary. Understanding these levels is crucial for effective translation, especially in formal contexts. For example, the verb "to do" can be expressed as "suru" (する) in informal situations, but as "nasu" (なさる) in respectful or formal contexts.
Implicitness:
Japanese often relies on context to convey meaning, allowing subjects and objects to be omitted when understood. This can lead to ambiguity in translation if not handled carefully, as English typically requires explicit subjects.
Use of Kanji:
Kanji characters often carry multiple meanings depending on their context, which can complicate translation. For example, the kanji "行" can mean "go," "perform," or "conduct" depending on its usage in a sentence, making contextual understanding vital for accurate interpretation.
Loanwords and Neologisms:
Japanese has integrated numerous loanwords from English and other languages, often adapting them phonetically. Understanding these adaptations is crucial for translating contemporary content effectively.
By recognizing and adapting to these linguistic differences, Green Crescent ensures that our Japanese translation services maintain the highest standards of accuracy and cultural relevance. Whether you require a general translation or more localized content, our team of professional translators is here to assist you in effectively reaching your Japanese-speaking audience with clarity and precision.
An Insight into Japanese Wit and Expression
This passage is from ノルウェイの森 (Norwegian Wood) by Haruki Murakami, first published in 1987. This novel is a significant work in Japanese literature, exploring themes of loss and nostalgia.
- Japanese: "死は生の対極としてではなく、その一部として存在している."
- English Translation: "Death exists, not as the opposite of life, but as a part of it."