Special Lecture on Guide Interpreting

It was our pleasure to be able to hold a talk about the profession of guide interpreting here on campus last month. Yoshiki Kobayakawa, of Randell’s Corporation Tour Guide & Interpreter Services, and Mizuho Mizutani, Chairperson of the Kyushu Association of Interpreters, Translators and Guide-Interpreters, shared much useful information about this career option, and also about the National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter exam. Being able to hear about Ms Mizutani’s experiences as a practicing guide interpreter was particularly interesting and informative. The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter exam is the only national qualification in Japan connected to foreign languages. It requires not only proficiency in a foreign language, but also knowledge of Japanese geography and history, general knowledge, and understanding of the practical business operations of guide interpreters. If you want to try out your foreign language skills or are looking for a new study goal for 2023, studying for this exam might be for you!

先月、観光庁主催の現役通訳案内士による講演会「通訳案内士ってどんな仕事？」を学内で開催しました。株式会社ランデルズの小早川佳樹さんと現役通訳案内士で一般社団法人九州通訳・翻訳者・ガイド協会の会長も務めている水谷みずほさんから、通訳案内士の仕事内容や全国通訳案内士の筆記試験や口述試験などについてたくさん教えて頂きました。特に、現役通訳案内士の水谷さんの実経験についてたくさん聞けて、大変面白くてとても勉強になりました。全国通訳案内士は語学系で唯一の国家資格です。語学力はもちろん、日本地理や歴史、一般常識、通訳案内の実務に関する知識も求められます。語学力を試したい人、新たな勉強目標を探している人にも全国通訳案内士の勉強をしてみるのもいいかもしれません！