I put together a practice schedule to help me polish the basic skill set that goes into translation and interpretation. I will put the schedule up here and then post occasional progress updates. Feel free to practice along with me and post any resources you found particularly helpful.
Objectives
Interpretation
- Improve memory and recall skills.
- Improve concept understanding and retention.
- Improve number recollection.
Translation
- Phrase more flexibly.
- Improve Japanese writing style.
General
- Increase vocabulary.
- Increase grammar knowledge.
Practice Tasks
| Task | Applicable Objective | |
| 1 | 10 digit number memorization | I-3 |
| 2 | Number interpretation | I-3 |
| 3 | Word chaining | I-1 |
| 4 | Phrase memorization | I-1, T-1, G-1, G-2 |
| 5 | Quick word interpreting | I-1, G-1 |
| 6 | Shadowing | I-2, T-1, G-1, G-2 |
| 7 | Consecutive practice | I-1, I-2 |
| 8 | Translation editing | T-2, G-1, G-2 |
Explanation of Tasks
1. 10 digit number memorization
Listen to a recording of ten unrelated numbers. Repeat as the recording plays. Then, play the recording again and wait until the first two numbers have been said to start repeating. This way, you are hearing numbers and saying different numbers.
Example:
Recording: “1, 5, 33, 47, 118…”
You: “……….1, 5, 33, 47, 118…”
2. Number interpretation
Listen to a recording of random numbers (over 6 digits) and interpret them into the opposite language.
3. Word chaining
Memorize a series of random words by forming a story in your head as you hear them.
4. Phrase memorization
Memorize sentences from JLPT N1 vocabulary book. Repeat the previous one before starting to memorize the next.
5. Quick word interpreting
Prepare a list of 10 words in Japanese and English. Look at each word in the Japanese column and say the English version. Repeat with opposite language. Time target of 10 seconds to interpret the whole list (ie: no time to think about it).
6. Shadowing
Listen to a speech and repeat the speaker’s words as he is speaking without changing or missing any words. This is done in the language of the presenter (ex: listen to Japanese and repeat in Japanese).
7. Consecutive practice
Listen to a 5 minute speech and take notes. Interpret after speech has concluded. Record your interpretation. Re-watch speech and check for errors.
8. Translation editing
Take an old translation and remove any confidential content (company names, etc.) Post on lang-8 to solicit corrections. Compile revised version in translation notebook.
Becoming a Translator 