Comparing life between living in Japan eight years ago and now, one tool has made life much easier. Yes, a better understanding of Japanese has helped. Receiving regular financial support too. However, Google translate has become the most useful tool for living in Japan. When we first arrived in Japan, rather than taking stacks of papers to church for help, we could quickly translate virtually everything.
As with any tool, there are some drawbacks. For example, a paper from school translated as: “Under the guidance of the Board of Education, we will strive to spread the infection. For more information, prints will be distributed on the 18th for all children.” We do not consider the Board of Education an evil group of villains, so “to prevent the spread of infection” seemed more likely.
In a text message, one person asked Andrew, “What do you think of Andrew?” Which is quite the reflective question, but rereading the Japanese, we realized it should say, “Andrew, what do you think?”
As with any tool, there are some drawbacks. For example, a paper from school translated as: “Under the guidance of the Board of Education, we will strive to spread the infection. For more information, prints will be distributed on the 18th for all children.” We do not consider the Board of Education an evil group of villains, so “to prevent the spread of infection” seemed more likely.
In a text message, one person asked Andrew, “What do you think of Andrew?” Which is quite the reflective question, but rereading the Japanese, we realized it should say, “Andrew, what do you think?”
Usually, we work with Google translate to confirm our understanding of the Japanese. A few rare gems help little though: "Required Documents[for immigration]> Rebirth Food Certificate (for all households including children), Hibiki is a three-way taxpayer Certificate of employment of dependents who have reached the end of their careers Certificate of tax payment Certificate of love, If you go to the Niroko's soldiers, the three of the victims of the stalemate trunk (if any), and the tax change, write down your business policy. Laugh (Ko-no-Rokukyu Pod * --Shinsho Eto) * Please apply for 6 Sport. (* Required documents, etc. should be sent to the Tenshikan. The residence card will be issued by the Neck Management Bureau.” Thankfully, those are rare.
In the end, we appreciate Google translate as a tool God has provided to help us serve here in Japan. Without it, other translation tools, such as this example from Facebook’s translator, might make life a little more difficult: “In the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the On May th, the English service meeting has been cancelled because the general service was held in online service without collecting at the church during the declaration of emergency.”
In the end, we appreciate Google translate as a tool God has provided to help us serve here in Japan. Without it, other translation tools, such as this example from Facebook’s translator, might make life a little more difficult: “In the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the year of the On May th, the English service meeting has been cancelled because the general service was held in online service without collecting at the church during the declaration of emergency.”
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