Teaching translation theory in Japan

Abstract

The presentation deals with my experience of teaching translation theory in Japanese Universities. Translation studies is a relatively new discipline in Japan. Often humanities-oriented Universities will have a literature and/or language department, and translation may be taught in these departments in a practical and prescriptive way.  Translation history and theory is a far less common subject. Since 2020 I have been teaching translation theory at two Japanese Universities, namely Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto and Kobe City University of Foreign Studies.

For this presentation, I would like to shed light on the lessons I have learned about teaching translation theory to graduate and undergraduate students in Japan. In particular, I would like to focus on the difference between the lecture-style mode of teaching that was common in my Translation Studies MA at Cardiff University, and the more discussion-based approach that I had to develop in Japan in order to better foster students’ participation and critical thinking.

The presentation will also deal with the questions of what translation studies textbooks and reading materials may be best suited for English speakers of other languages, the difficulty of dealing with student with different levels of English, how to teach translation theory without actual translation practice, and how should students be graded. I hope this presentation will be as interactive as my classes are, and that we will be able to exchange ideas and suggestions to improve the teaching of translation theory abroad.

Speaker’s bio

Dr Matteo Fabbretti is a lecturer in Translation Studies at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies and Ritsumeikan University. He came to Japan in 2018 with a JSPS postdoctoral fellowship to carry out research on translation in Japanese institutions. His field of research revolves mainly around Japanese visual culture in translation, with a particular focus on Japanese manga and video games. Matteo is interested in amateur translators and interpreters, and has published several academic articles on the topic of manga fan-translation. More recently, his research has also looked at the field of professional translation in Japan, in particular in the context of freelancing and in-house translators working for video game companies.