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Language Arts & Disciplines Translating & Interpreting

Interpreting the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal

A Sociopolitical Analysis

by (author) Kayoko Takeda

Publisher
University of Ottawa Press
Initial publish date
Dec 2010
Category
Translating & Interpreting, Japan, World War II
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780776619118
    Publish Date
    Dec 2010
    List Price
    $16.99

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Description

In order to ensure its absolute authority, the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal (1946–1948), the Japanese counterpart of the Nuremberg Trial, adopted a three-tier structure for its interpreting: Japanese nationals interpreted the proceedings, second-generation Japanese-Americans monitored the interpreting, and Caucasian U.S. military officers arbitrated the disputes. The first extensive study on the subject in English, this book explores the historical and political contexts of the trial as well as the social and cultural backgrounds of the linguists through trial transcripts in English and Japanese, archival documents and recordings, and interviews with those who were involved in the interpreting. In addition to a detailed account of the interpreting, the book examines the reasons for the three-tier system, how the interpreting procedures were established over the course of the trial, and the unique difficulties faced by the Japanese-American monitors. This original case study of the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal illuminates how complex issues such as trust, power, control and race affect interpreting at international tribunals in times of conflict.

About the author

Contributor Notes

Kayoko Takeda is associate professor of translation and interpretation at the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

Editorial Reviews

“[an] invaluable historical [account] of interpreting in [a] clearly very sensitive [setting]” - Jeremy Munday, Year's Work Critical and Cultural Theory Volume 20, Issue 1