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Subject:Re: Examination for Japanese tech communicators From:Noriko Yotsuyanagi <noriko -at- BOOMBOX -dot- MICRO -dot- UMN -dot- EDU> Date:Sat, 11 Mar 1995 00:00:31 -0600
Dear Margaret:
Thanks for your reply. My answers to your questions are embedded below them. But
> A few questions:
> - Is the majority of technical writing in Japan, written in Japanese for
> Japanese people?
Yes if I understand your question correctly. As long as manuals, scientific
papers, technical reports, or other technical documents are geared to Japanese,
they are all written in Japanese. In Hong Kong, Singapore, or some other
regions, English or some other non-native language may be also a dominant
language. Do I answer your question. I may misunderstand your question.
> - Is it predominately for software or hardware?
Does your question mean whether Japanese technical writers write manuals
predominantly for the computer software or hardware industry? As far as I
know, Japanese technical writers work for documentation sections in big
manufactuers of computer, its peripherals, OA (office automation (is this
English) equipment, such as copiers), precision measuring instruments and other
high-tech equipment., for software houses, or for communication agents (manual
production/translation/printing companies). Or they are free-lancing tech
writers. Maybe, more for hardware. I am not sure again if I am answering your
question correctly.
> - Would a significant amount of work be translated into foreign languages? If
> so, which languages? Who would normally translate the work - a
> multi-lingual tech writer or a translator?
Yes, I assume so. The predominant target language is English. Here, I would
like to clarify that the population of people who claim they are tech writers is
not large, not to mention "tech communicators."
I hear there are quite a few Japanese tech writers who used to be translators.
Anyhow, about your question, I think translators normally do the work.
