E-ging Solutions is a world-leading Shanghai translation company with specialties in Japanese translation.

If you’ve been tasked with finding — or are actively looking for — a qualified Japanese interpreter, there are three things you might want to take into consideration during your search. While some of these suggestions could be applied to just about any interpreter of any language, some are specific to interpreters of Japanese.

Certification and Training

Of course you’ll need a Japanese interpreter who is fluent in Japanese and English, or whatever language you need Japanese interpreted into or from. You’ll also need an interpreter who has the necessary certifications backing up whatever kind of work you have in store for your interpreter, including conferences, legal engagements, and escorting important foreign guests around. This is especially important for Japanese, as it’s a non-Western language, and not many Americans speak it as a second language.

These certificates will not only allow your Japanese interpreter to interpret in many different venues, they will also show you that the person or service you hired has the training to do a variety of interpreting jobs.

Experience and Interpersonal Skills

Along with training, you’ll want to select a Japanese interpreter with a fair amount of experience. This will help guarantee precise interpretations in all kinds of environments, as well as the ability to deal with problems if and when they arise.

Interpersonal skills, although not often mentioned when we talk about interpreters, are very important too. Interpreting, unlike written translation, means constantly interacting with people, egos, moods, and different ways of speaking. An interpreter with solid interpersonal skills can manage diverse situations and easily handle the stress of the unexpected that can arise when interpreting.

Local Knowledge

A deep understanding of Japanese culture, from historical references and vantage points to pop culture, also plays an essential part in Japanese interpreting. Cultural references, norms, and taboos can only be caught and interpreted if the interpreter has instant access to a rich database (in his of her head) of knowledge about Japan and its long history.