Writing systems and the Nature of Translation: History of Translation in Japan

Abstract

The article starts with a description of the Japanese language, its three writing systems, and linguistic connections with other languages. The history of translation in Japan is discussed, and the translation method kanbun kundoku is described, which does in fact not count as “translation” according to the modern Western definition of the word. The first discussions on translation, the meanings of words, and translation methods did not appear in Japan until the latter half of the 18th century and attitudes toward translation in Japan only started to change with translations from languages that use alphabets. Until after the Second World War, translating word-for-word was thought to be the best way to translate, and it was only in the 21st century that translators began to research and emphasize the importance of translations in Japanese literature. Based on these historical facts, this article argues that writing systems can influence the evolution of translation practices and whether translation, as it is defined in the West, even exists. It is also postulated that the Western definition of “translation” may be too narrow for translation traditions found in other cultures.