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Nora Stevens Heath
Freelance Japanese-English translator
Education
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Graduated with honors May 1, 1999
- Earned a BA in Japanese and in linguistics
- Recipient of Class Honors
- Member of Golden Key National Honor Society
Japanese skills
- More than 30 years of language experience
- Maintained a 4.0 in Japanese at the University of Michigan
- Exchange student to Japan in July 1994; many further visits in subsequent years
- Alumna of Japan Center for Michigan Universities, Hikone, Shiga, Japan (Winter 1998)
- Recommended by linguistics professor to supervise the revision of a doctoral dissertation on Japanese linguistics
- Has tutored Japanese and English
- Provided interpreting services for General Motors
- Certified at the highest level of Japanese language proficiency, December 2001
- Member of JAT (Japan Association of Translators) since 2002; previously served on its Board of Directors from 2005 to 2009 and as an auditor from 2013 to 2017 and 2022 to 2024
Computer skills
- Superlative Internet search skills
- Word processing/DTP: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Publisher; OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice Writer; Corel WordPerfect; Adobe Acrobat
- Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice Calc
- Graphic design: Adobe Photoshop and ImageReady
- Translation memory: Wordfast, Felix
- Subtitling: Aegisub
Further qualifications
- Highly motivated; strong work ethic
- Extremely detail-oriented
- Eager to learn; follows directions well
- Excellent time management skills; respects deadlines
- Works well independently
Publications and Presentations
- "How to Hire a Translator" (contributor, with Edward Lipsett), PMA Independent, June 2008
- "Text-Based Adventure: The Art of Translating Video Games", presented at the Japan Association of Translators' 22nd Annual International Japanese-English Translation (IJET) Conference, April 25, 2010; presented at the Michigan Translators/Interpreters Network's 2011 Regional Conference on Interpreting and Translation, October 1, 2011
- "Text-Based Adventure: The Art of Translating Video Games", ATA Chronicle, August 2010; Tsūyaku-Honyaku Journal, Autumn 2011
- Featured in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, September 21, 2011 (Beikoku josei: "Kakō manabi, kioku kizamu" [American woman: "Study the past and etch it into memory"])
- Interviewed for and featured in Found in Translation by Nataly Kelly and Jost Zetzsche (Perigee)
- Interviewed for and featured in Final Fantasy V by Chris Kohler (Boss Fight Books)
- Guested on the Tofugu podcast "Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Freelance Japanese Translator? feat. Nora Stevens Heath" (Aug. 11, 2017)
- Interviewed for Rely on Horror: "Interview With Silent Hill 3 English Translator Nora Stevens Heath (Exclusive)" (Apr. 25, 2023)
Relevant experience
- November 2013 to present: FUNimation/Crunchyroll
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- April 2011 to June 2016: Isaona
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- Translation of Japanese manga
- February 2010 to March 2015: Sirius, Ltd.
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- November 2003 to present: Kurodahan Press
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- August 2002 to present: Freelance translation and localization
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- Japanese-English translation
- Proofreading of English and translated English documents
- Projects include fiction, scientific articles, marketing presentations, nonprofit research reports, business proposals, songs, business and leisure Websites, cultural pamphlets, family registers, company product catalogs and online presentations, point-of-purchase signage, and much more
- May 2002 to present: Freelance game localization
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- Translation of Japanese video games for English-speaking market
- Translation of software/hardware manuals, guides, Japanese playtester comments for US-based game teams, game concept materials, marketing proposals, etc.
- Special projects include translating Silent Hill 3 and Kingdom Hearts II songs and fitting the lyrics to music
- Works alone or as part of a team
- Praised by project director and fellow translators for style, accuracy, and attention to detail; "a model for others to follow"
- October 2001 to August 2003: Nisshinbo Automotive Corporation, Sterling Heights, MI
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- Bilingual coordinator
- Japanese-English translation and interpreting
- Facilitated intercultural understanding
- Provided cultural and lifestyle support for Japanese nationals
- PC support technician; upgraded and built employee computers
- Served as leading member of IT committee
- Designed and maintained company Website
- July 2001 to May 2002: Berlitz Language Center, Bingham Farms, MI
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- Japanese and English instructor
- Part-time position
- February 2000 to July 2001: AutoWeb Communications, Inc., Oak Park, MI
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- Received promotion to Web development
- Japanese-English translation and interpreting
- Responsible for internal and external Website design and front-end functionality
- Maintained company-wide electronic document repository
- Editor-in-chief of all extracompany communications
- Graphics designer
- Provided customer tech support
- May 1999 to February 2000: AutoWeb Communications, Inc., Oak Park, MI
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- Assistant to president and vice-president
- Japanese-English translation and interpreting
- Editor-in-chief of company newsletter
- Co-wrote customer surveys
- Provided customer tech support
- Tracked invoices, expenses, etc.
- June 1997 to May 1999: The Localizers, Inc., Novi, MI
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- Performed computer bilingualization and on-site tech support
- Installed hardware, software, and network systems; trained clients and provided troubleshooting services
- All tasks performed in both Japanese and English
Please
address all questions, comments, concerns to
nora@fumizuki.com.
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