When dealing with Certified Japanese Translation, one question often comes up: Does the Statement of Certification need a signature or a stamp (hanko)?

The Statement of Certification is the document that makes your translation an official certified translation. It’s issued by the translator or the Japanese translation company that completed the work, certifying the accuracy of the translation. Without this, relevant authorities won’t accept your Japanese-to-English translation of legal documents.

Now, what about the hanko? A hanko is the Japanese term for a stamp or seal, widely used in Japan to authenticate documents.

Signature or Hanko: So, What’s the Difference?

Here’s where things get interesting.

The choice between a signature and a hanko depends on the customs of the country where your certified translation will be submitted:

• In Western countries, a signature is the...

Like most things translation, this term is the stuff of no small amount of confusion!

Stick with me here; we’ll clear it all up

But first, since you’re reading this article you have a need for translation. You are also probably wondering what type of translation option is best for your requirements. Below are the different types of translations at a glance:
1 Computer Translation
2 Post-edited Machine Translation (PEMT, also known as the Sow’s Ear of Translation!)
3 Translation Crowd-sourcing
4 Translation Cloud
5 Professional Human Translation

Getting back on track, computer translation is a generic term that actually refers to 2 completely different types of translation using -no surprise here- computers:

• Machine Translation (MT) and
• Computer Assisted Translation (CAT).

Machine Translation
A human translator supports the machine. That is, a computer program, or software...

This post is a continuation of the mini-article series Japanese Translation Services: Do the work with a winning methodology

Use the pointers suggested here to develop a translation methodology of your own, one that suits your work style and which will enable you to translate more efficiently and accurately. Regardless of whether you’re an English Japanese translator or a client of a Translation Company Japan, there is something here for you. So, read on & profit!

1. Read the original document
2. Research the translation
3. Now, do the work
   A) Translate into your Native language, ONLY
   B) Let Stalk Strine
   C) Culture does factor into translation
   D) Know your limits
   E) Context is important
   F) Simple is best
   G) What is NOT written is as important as what is written
   H) Give it natural flair
4. Ask the right questions
5. Compare with the original
6. Edit (proof) the translation
7. Sleep on it!
...