Hideko Russell
Office
McCone Building M122
Tel
(831) 647-4621
Email
hrussell@middlebury.edu

Russell began her career as a freelance translator and interpreter in Tokyo in 1992. She worked in a wide range of fields, including semiconductor, IT, medicine, architecture, education, tourism, and others. After relocating to Monterey, her focus has been on translation, specializing in non-fiction books, academic papers, business, technical, medical, and educational documents. In recent years, she has completed Japanese translations of Rachel Laudan’s Cuisine and Empire, Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken, and David Neiwert’s Strawberry Days: How Internment Destroyed a Japanese American Community. 

Courses Taught

Course Description

Terms Taught

Spring 2023 - MIIS

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Course Description

Introduction to Interpretation into Japanese

Introduces students to conference interpretation in general and consecutive interpretation in particular. Lays a foundation for the development of professional skills in consecutive interpretation, emphasizing the ability to understand and analyze a message in the source language (SL) and convey it in the target language (TL) in a straightforward and clear manner. Develops students’ ability to identify, analyze, and paraphrase the meaning in the SL and establish logical relations between its components. Emphasis is placed on active listening and concentration skills, memory, the ability to abstract information for subsequent recall, and basic elements of note-taking. At the end of the course, students are able to interpret extemporaneous passages that are on topics familiar to them and are between three and five minutes in length.

In language-specific sessions and joint sessions with other language programs, students are introduced to the skill of consecutive interpreting in both theory and practice. They practice listening to and repeating the content of passages of increasing length and difficulty. Students hone their public-speaking skills by developing and delivering speeches. Content is interpreted on topics from daily life, current events and the media, and general areas of personal interest to students.

Course assignments include readings and research on class topics, presentations, practice, graded exercises, and peer and self-assessment. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.

Terms Taught

Fall 2023 - MIIS

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Course Description

Introduction to Written Translation into Japanese

Introduces students to the basic theory and practice of written translation. Students will learn to apply text analysis, text typology, and contrastive analysis of their working languages to identify, analyze, and resolve translation problems while independently developing an efficient and rational approach to the process of translation. The appropriate application of electronic translation tools will also be introduced. Fundamental translation theory will be emphasized at the beginning of the course and will be conveyed in the form of assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and independent research. In addition, course assignments will include practice and graded exercises in written translation, utilizing authentic texts drawn from an extensive variety of text categories that include, but are not limited to, current events, general political economy, general legal documents, and scientific and technical topics for general audiences. As the term progresses, student time and effort will increasingly be spent on the preparation and evaluation of written translation assignments. Students will be expected to take at least one midterm exam and one final exam, to be assigned at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.

Terms Taught

Fall 2023 - MIIS

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Course Description

Introduction to Sight Translation into Japanese

Introduces students to the basic theory and practice of sight translation. Students will learn to apply text analysis, text typology, and contrastive analysis of their working languages to identify, analyze, and resolve translation problems while independently developing an efficient and rational approach to the process of translation. The appropriate application of electronic translation tools will also be introduced. Fundamental translation theory will be emphasized at the beginning of the course and will be conveyed in the form of assigned readings, lectures, class discussions, and independent research. In addition, course assignments will include practice and graded exercises in sight translation, utilizing authentic texts drawn from an extensive variety of text categories that include, but are not limited to, current events, general political economy, general legal documents, and scientific and technical topics for general audiences. As the term progresses, student time and effort will increasingly be spent on the preparation and evaluation of written translation assignments. Students will be expected to take at least one midterm exam and one final exam, to be assigned at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.

Terms Taught

Fall 2023 - MIIS

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Course Description

Builds on the theoretical and practical foundation laid in Introduction to Translation and introduces the translation of specialized subject matter. Depending upon the language program in which they are enrolled, students will be expected to acquire and demonstrate basic proficiency in the sight and written translation of either commercial and economic texts, legal texts, or scientific and technical texts. The amount of emphasis accorded to a particular topic will depend on the specific professional requirements of each language program. Course assignments will include readings, research, presentations, practice and graded exercises in sight translation, and practice and graded written translation assignments, including exercises in speed translation. Students will also be expected to take at least one midterm and one final exam. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are largely at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Translation or equivalent background.

Terms Taught

Spring 2022 - MIIS, Spring 2023 - MIIS, Spring 2024 - MIIS

View in Course Catalog

Course Description

Builds on the theoretical and practical foundation laid in Introduction to Translation and introduces the translation of specialized subject matter. Depending upon the language program in which they are enrolled, students will be expected to acquire and demonstrate basic proficiency in the sight and written translation of either commercial and economic texts, legal texts, or scientific and technical texts. The amount of emphasis accorded to a particular topic will depend on the specific professional requirements of each language program. Course assignments will include readings, research, presentations, practice and graded exercises in sight translation, and practice and graded written translation assignments, including exercises in speed translation. Students will also be expected to take at least one midterm and one final exam. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are largely at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Translation or equivalent background.

Terms Taught

Spring 2022 - MIIS, Spring 2023 - MIIS, Spring 2024 - MIIS

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Course Description

Advanced Translation I into Japanese

This is the first of two complementary courses designed to bring translation knowledge and skills up to the level that would be required of someone working in a professional translation environment. Students will be expected to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the first-year translation courses to produce translations that meet high standards for content, form, and presentation. A great deal of attention is given to subject matter knowledge and research, precision in text analysis and writing, and the appropriate application of translation technology. Some programs emphasize scientific and technical topics in this course, but others give considerable attention to commercial, economic, legal, and political texts, many of which have a technical component. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments and examinations are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record. Students will, however, be expected to take at least one midterm exam and one final exam.

Prerequisite: 2nd-year student in good standing or equivalent background.

Terms Taught

Fall 2023 - MIIS

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Course Description

This course is the counterpart to Advanced Translation I. Students are expected to translate texts of considerable difficulty and complexity and to cope with the types of operational challenges that are likely to be encountered in professional translation settings, such as working in teams or coping with multiple technologies. Emphasis is on particular text categories and subject-matter knowledge that are pertinent to current market demand for the specific language combination and direction in which the course is being taught. The frequency, nature, and structure of course assignments are at the discretion of the instructor(s) of record, but will include projects that simulate, as closely as possible, the professional translation environment, as well as at least one midterm and one final exam.

Prerequisite: Advanced Translation I or similar background.

Terms Taught

Spring 2022 - MIIS, Spring 2023 - MIIS, Spring 2024 - MIIS

View in Course Catalog

Areas of Interest

What I enjoy most about teaching at the Institute is that in addition to sharing my passion for translation with my students, I can also learn from them and be challenged by them. I strive to create a classroom environment where we can all contribute, as I believe each student brings an invaluable perspective to our discussions. Our students range from new college graduates to experienced translators/interpreters, and I love interacting with all of them, thanks to our very low student-faculty ratio. Evaluating and discussing my students’ work enables me to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and I feel very fortunate to be able to help them grow into successful translators.

Academic Degrees

  • MA in Translation and Interpretation (English-Japanese), Monterey Institute of International Studies
  • BA in English Literature, University of Sacred Heart, Japan

Professor Russell has been teaching at the Institute since 2005.

Publications

  • Japanese translation of Rachel Laudan’s Cuisine and Empire.『料理と帝国――食文化の世界史 紀元前2万年から現代まで』(みすず書房、2016年).
  • Japanese translation of Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken.『不屈の男アンブロークン』(角川書店、2016年).
  • Japanese translation of David Neiwert’s Strawberry Days: How Internment Destroyed A Japanese American Community. 『ストロベリー・デイズ――日系アメリカ人強制収容の記憶』(みすず書房、2013年).
  • Russell, Hideko, and Takeda, Kayoko. “Translation thesis”: Its Aims and Methods (Japanese title: “修士論文としての翻訳:その意義と方法”). Invitation to Translation Studies (翻訳研究への招待) 8 (2012): 23-38.  URL: http://honyakukenkyu.sakura.ne.jp/shotai_vol8/02_vol8-Takeda_Russel.pdf
  • 翻訳「革命」期における翻訳者養成:公開シンポジウムの報告と今後の取り組み (立教大学大学院異文化コミュニケーション研究科、2013) . URL: http://www2.rikkyo.ac.jp/web/tiedu/album/PDF/Kakumei%20report.pdf
  • Dale Maharidge, Dale and Williamson, Michael. Someplace Like America.『繁栄からこぼれ落ちたもうひとつのアメリカ――果てしない貧困と闘う「ふつう」の人たちの30年の記録』(ダイヤモンド社、2013年). Translated into Japanese by Hideko Russell. Tokyo, Diamond Inc., 2013.
  • Pollan, Michael. Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual .『フード・ルール : 人と地球にやさしいシンプルな食習慣64』(東洋経済新報社、2010年). Translated into Japanese by Hideko Russell. Tokyo: Toyokeizaishinposha, 2010.
  • Pollan, Michael. The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals.『雑食動物のジレンマ: ある4つの食事の自然史』 (東洋経済新報社、2009年). Translated into Japanese by Hideko Russell. Tokyo: Toyokeizaishinposha, 2009.