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Editing in Japan - the English terms can be misunderstood
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| Posted by Peter on Wednesday, July 11 @ 01:20:15 EDT
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 One of the main targets for this website is the academic research community in Japan. English is a major second language in Japan, and is put to practical use by many researchers.
Many bilingual or partly-bilingual publications are distributed almost entirely inside Japan. Japanese researchers are also using English for articles and books published outside Japan, but this is often very difficult for the writers. Some of the difficulty may lie in different understandings of the English term "editor", as discussed below.
Problems may also be assumed or experienced when the writer and editor differ in their experience or academic status... social barriers may prevent people from (building trust and working relationships).
In relation to writing, the English term "editor" has two common meanings...
1) someone who revises or helps correct a manuscript, and
2) someone who compiles a set of manuscripts for an edited book, or who deals with all the manuscripts submitted to a journal.
From conversations with Japanese colleagues, it appears that the second meaning is more commonly associated with the terms "editor" and "editing". The term "editor" is therefore usually translated as "henshuu-sha". This Japanese word is unambiguous, and does not have the additional meaning that English speakers give to "editor". English speakers use context to distinguish the two meanings.
Another Japanese word "kooetsu-sha" does have a meaning close to the first meaning above, and indicates someone who may revise a book, look over a manuscript, or supervise someone's work. It has the connotation of a superior or someone senior to the original author.
The English word "editor" is neutral in this respect - an editor is chosen editor by virtue of their ability to help rewrite and improve a piece of work in part or entirely. Different editors with different skills may be required to improve different aspects of a complex paper. What matters is their skill for the job, and the author's willingness to recognise that skill and give consideration to the comments made. Relative social status may be a factor, of course, but it is not a factor by definition.
For Japanese, the connotation of "kooetsu-sha" as someone superior or more experienced may create unneccesary expectations or bias in writers and potential editors. Writers may unwisely exclude or ignore the offer or advice someone who is not superior or senior, and potential editors may be shy to negotiate with a writer who is superior or senior.
I have discovered one further word in my discussions with colleagues so far: "saadoku", or peer review. The person who carries out peer review is someone selected by the publisher of a manuscript, not the author. Their status is not necessarily higher than that of the author, but they are not chosen by the author. This word seems to fit very closely with the meaning given to peer review in English.
It thus seems especially difficult to translate the word "editor", in its first sense above. My japanese colleagues also indicate that there is no long record or strong culture of academic authors using their own initiative seek advice from peers or anyone else, before a manuscript is submitted. The publishers and organisational editors in Japan routinely receive manuscripts in a very rough state, and must then make great efforts to improve the manuscripts after they have been accepted.
Of course, there are exceptions. Some individuals and authros from particular research-fields are more likely than others to seek criticism of a manuscript before publication. Many have had experience overseas, and are familiar with the rigorous processes required for English-language publications that have high standards.
I am still far from having a clear understanding of academic and research writing in Japan. From what I have learned so far, it seems that it will be a long time before many Japanese authors actively and positively look for help from potential editors. There is still a very strong tendency to avoid this if at all possible, especially when writing in English as a second language. A great deal of importance is attached to the editor having some kind of personal connection with the author, directly or indirectly through a friend, colleague, or senior.
Personal connections are of course useful, and should be used, but they are not always an option. Such connections are often not available, through no fault of the author. If we really have something important to say and publish, we should not be shy about finding help to get the job done. Our forums for editing offers and requests are here in the main menu).
In any case, this website may be difficult for many readers to understand, for linguistic and other reasons. Cultural differences and social barriers are also involved. This is likely to be true for people working inside or together with Japanese and many other language communities.
As opportunity permits, articles published at this site will be translated into other languages so that all potential users can undertsand the aims an operation of this site. Any offers of help with translating this website would be very welcome. Offers of original articles on any of the themes raised here would also be very welcome.
For an indication of the size of the translation problem, when we want to negotiate writing services across languages (see also our article on the semantic field of academic research and writing).
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