- Title：Associate Professor
- Degree：Ph.D. in International Studies (Waseda University)
- Directed Research：Interpretation Studies
- Research Field： Communication Studies, Interpretation Studies, Interpreter Training Methods, Communication and Language Industry Studies
Biography
I graduated BA in comparative culture studies, and then started working in the automotive industry as a corporate communications officer, interpreting for senior company management. In this position I developed interests in cross cultural industrial relations and effective styles of inter-lingual communication. After some more experience in freelance conference interpreting, I returned to school to study theories of economics and finance as a background to the real-world events I was experiencing day to day, and obtained an MA and Ph.D. in international relations at Waseda University. My Ph.D. thesis (2004) explored the total interpreting industry in Japan titled, Nihon Tsuuyaku Sangyou Kenkyu [A Research on the Interpreting Industry of Japan]. The research method was economic analysis to gain insight into some of the unique, historical developments that took place in Japan at the start of the industry, as well as landmark events such as the first Tokyo Olympics that was a backdrop to the rapid growth of the industry.
Since then, I have taught at different schools emphasizing the skills of interpreting as well as the changing societal demands placed on cross-cultural communications. Former students have become professional conference interpreters, communication specialists in multinational organizations, and academics in the fields of cross-cultural communications and languages as they applied what they learned in my seminars to their careers. Current students include many international students, and this has led me to a new interest in effective teaching methodologies for students studying in second languages. I also am aware of the changing future of the interpreting and communication industries, and am developing ways to train students to be effective communicators in the new opportunities to come.
Major Works / Publications Awards
https://w-rdb.waseda.jp/html/100001172_en.html
Directed Research
This course examines interpretation between English and Japanese, in both directions. The aim of this course is for the students to develop practice and understanding in the skills of accurate consecutive interpreting and listener-friendly simultaneous interpreting.
We will examine the basic skills and factors that enable effective interpreting such as listening comprehension, paraphrasing, summarizing, appropriate choice of words, and modes of split attention. The students will be encouraged to analyze and seek insight into other factors that affect interpreting performance. Peer reviews constitute an important part of the class. Students will be required to do preparation so that they will come to the classes alert and informed to give fair and constructive appraisals of their peers’ work. I also welcome a functional research approach to interpreting, such as the study of the roles and responsibilities of interpreters in the historic and contemporary setting. In studying the functions of interpreters, we will look into the skills necessary for particular forms and functions of interpreting as well as societal expectations regarding interpreters’ roles and responsibilities. Language competency and fluency in both English and Japanese are required.
