Ginny Tapley Takemori

Japanese literature shows why human translation still counts AI and translation tech lower barriers to global communication, but literary translation requires the ability to convey tone, rhythm and cultural context.

I guess my job is secure for a while, then!

I have some thoughts, but I’m thinking more of having a section on the website to air them - this would suit me better really, as I don’t plan to air them in a regular schedule, just when I feel like it.

Not really, but I’ll have a look. I intend to get a website up one of these days (been saying that for years ha ha!).

“I use it for brainstorming.” is quickly becoming my most hated pro-AI statement.

YOU TOOK YOUR BRAIN OUT OF THE EQUATION. THAT IS NOT BRAINSTORMING.

I’d been thinking about starting a Substack, but I guess I won’t after all!

How the simmering UK freedom of speech row reached boiling point How did we reach a point where the UK is being compared to a 'tin pot Third World dictatorship'?

What on Earth is this? An "in depth" BBC article about free speech in the UK that only cites examples of right-wing/ 'anti-woke' speech being suppressed. How can you mention Lucy Connolly but completely ignore Palestine Action / Just Stop Oil? Gob-smacking. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Come join us! #translation #booksky

Me too - thanks Chris!

Today @tribunemagazine.bsky.social publishes a vitally important, highly personal and urgently necessary piece by Yara Rodrigues Fowler on the history of the FFB campaigning around literary festivals:

Grave of the Fireflies by Akiyuki Nosaka and Translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori - #bookreview Left on the Shelf Book Blog Book Reviews Book Information Recommendations Writing Reading Books for Children Books for Adults Books for Teens Fiction

On the blog today is my book review of Grave of the Fireflies by Akiyuki Nosaka. It has been translated from Japanese by @ginnytkmr.bsky.social This is a new edition publishing by @penguinclassicsusa.bsky.social today and is well worth reading.

Thank you!

Yes, it was based on Nosaka’s own experience and was the inspiration for the Ghibli anime.

Thank you - me too!

Publication day! This was one of the hardest stories I’ve ever translated, both for the language and content. It’s also one of the most important stories I’ve translated. I hope as many people as possible will read it and reflect on the reality of war.
#booksky #translation #literarytranslation

BOA Podcast 44: Ginny Takemori on Translating Cats - Books on Asia Verteran translator Ginny Takemori talks about the translation of Mayumi Inaba's book "Mornings Without Mii"

I did a podcast on Mornings Without Mii with Amy Chavez on Books on Asia - have a listen!
#literarytranslation #translation #booksky

How is it supposed to be a confidentiality “agreement“ when it’s an unsolicited email? 🤔 I would not want to work with a company that is so threatening from the outset.

#xl8

I see, right!

lawl

There is a lot of solar in Japan now (we have them on our house too) - you’re not seeing that in Korea? I guess here it started after the tsunami/nuclear accident in 2011 when there was a backlash against nuclear and the govt introduced a feed in tariff to encourage people to install them.

No, but then I take their edits to be suggestions, not requests. If I don’t agree, I either STET or suggest something else, and if appropriate say why. I rarely come across editors who insist on something - most are sensitive to my wishes.

AI can't talk with its hands when it gets excited, either...
🤣🤣

Why should I write better when a machine can do it for me? Because actually no one can do it for you, because your voice is unique among all the people on earth. Siri never petted a horse's neck. Alexa has never been ghosted by the captain of the football team. But you have lived, your heart is beating, you have suffered, and you have something important to say. It's a human's job, to use words, and whatever job you give to a machine, that part of your brain goes dark. Maybe it's worth it when it comes to remembering phone numbers and directions, but when that part of your brain that uses words goes dark, that's a vast area that's very close to your soul. Don't let some internet platform convince you that what you have to say and create isn't worthwhile. Words are the echo of your soul. Honing that echo matters.

this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like

The last witnesses: Preserving the history of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Historian M.G. Sheftall shares the stories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki’s last survivors and reveals why their testimony must endure.

An important interview with the author of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, The Last Witnesses. Please read it. And then read the books. He is an extraordinarily compelling writer.

leasaarup on Instagram: "I think it's a pretty impressive job that these 57 Arab states got together and did.This is a massive decision. Likely not an easy …" I think it's a pretty impressive job that these 57 Arab states got together and did.This is a massive decision. Likely not an easy one either. They must have been arguing about this back and forth for hours on end for months. What a sacrifice for peace. Is it fair? Not sure. But is it the only pragmatic solution that could actually be effectuated right now, to stop this endless killing. Absolutely.It is a massive contribution to an attempt to bring peace to the region. And attempts at peace always deserves more airtime than it usually gets.No matter how one feels about this decision, we can all agree that this clip was almost nowhere to be seen in our mainstream media, and that is what I think we should be concerned about. If we are not shown the real options, how could we ever do proper civic participation?#freepalestine #dkpolView all 9,316 comments

www.instagram.com/reel/DKUVgdG...

😂

Anton Hur's first English novel comes to Korea: 'I've always wanted to be translated' Author and translator Anton Hur reflects on his debut novel's Korean translation, emphasizing the transformative nature of literary translation.

Very fun to have a new book translation come out that I had nothing to do with but apparently am expected to give interviews for

I love that you were translated by an author you translate!

Thank you ❤️ so glad you enjoyed it.

A cardboard sign, covered in plastic flowers, reading 'Just be Kind' next to one that reads 'Trans Joy is Resistance' at London Trans Pride

A cardboard sign reading 'Parents supporting trans rights' at the London Trans Pride march 2025

London Trans Pride 2025: I've never seen so many cis people showing up for trans rights.

Labour may be trying to drag us back to Section 28 - but we never had support like this back then.