Perfectly Grammatical AI-Translated Japanese… with a Twist

Not long ago, I received a message in Japanese via LinkedIn (details have been modified):

> ?????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? ???????????????????????????????????????????????????MOA????????????????????????????? A????????????MOA????????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????

Though it was clearly a cold email, the content raised more questions than it answered:

• Why did this person choose to write to me in Japanese? (I’m not Japanese!)
• Why was there no introduction of the sender or their company?
• Why express gratitude when I hadn’t done anything for them?

The grammar was flawless, and while I understood the message, it felt distinctly unnatural.

What was the source of this?

Recalling Japonica’s experience with a flood of AI-generated articles, it dawned on me with a forceful clarity.

The writer must have composed the original email in English and used AI for the Japanese translation without consulting a native speaker.

Being naturally curious, I decided to test my theory.

I entered the awkward Japanese text into DeepL.com, and the translation provided the following English rendition:

> Hello. What is your biggest challenge right now? Is it to differentiate yourself from other brands? Our team of scientists, strategists, and creators would like to show you how you can leverage your unique ingredients, benefits, MOA, and know-how by building a strong scientific domain. Here is an example of an MOA video we produced for Brand A. Please send us a professional email at XXX and we will schedule a brief phone call to show you. Thank you very much.

I then translated this English text back into Japanese using DeepL, and the output closely resembled the original message I had received.

Hypothesis confirmed.

While I generally shy away from asserting theories of Japanese exceptionalism—the idea that Japanese language and culture are so unique they defy conventional understanding—I must concede that in this instance, the experts are correct.

AI translation still has significant shortcomings.

AI Translation Misses the Cultural Context of Business

Here’s a Japanese outreach message I received via LinkedIn some time ago. Can you spot the differences? (Names have been altered)

> ABC??????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????? > > (Company URL) > > ???????????????????????????????? ??????????????????? > > ?? ?

Here’s the translation with assistance from DeepL.com:

> My name is Sato from the Business Development Department of ABC Co. We are a trading company specializing in the introduction of new functional materials, nanotechnology, etc., in addition to food ingredients, bulk pharmaceuticals, and chemical products. > > (Company URL) > > If you don’t mind, we would be very grateful if you could add us to your network. Thank you very much for your consideration. > > Manabu Sato

In this LinkedIn context, the message is relevant and appropriately structured, but the differences are stark:

• The sender begins by identifying their company and downplays their personal role. This is a common format in Japanese business communication, contrasting with the more individualistic focus typical in American contexts.
• The sender provides more detail about their role and the company's activities. This is crucial in Japan, where establishing trust is vital. Unlike the initial email, this approach emphasizes the sender’s identity and their company’s purpose.
• The language used is more humble and indirect. Politeness is critical in Japanese communications, reflecting the hierarchical nature of the language. The seller must express gratitude rather than simply saying “please,” acknowledging the customer’s higher status.

What to be Aware of When Translating E-mails from English into Japanese with AI?

AI translation can be a useful tool for facilitating cross-border communication, especially during times when cultural differences might hinder understanding.

However, AI should not replace human insight or expertise.

When opting for an AI translator, it’s essential to be mindful of the expected business etiquette in Japan. The nuances will make your email more natural, polite, and engaging.

Here are four practical tips to enhance your emails if you need to use AI translation from English to Japanese:

1. Convey professionalism through formality. When in doubt, it’s safer to be overly formal. While casual greetings like "hello" may be acceptable in some English-speaking circles, they fall short in Japanese business contexts. Proper greetings are crucial to being taken seriously.

   Quick Fix: Start with ????? or ???????? or skip to self-introduction if you're on a professional platform like LinkedIn where rules can be relaxed.

2. Build trust by clearly identifying yourself and your company. You must provide context to ensure your recipient trusts you. A lack of introduction can render your email impersonal and untrustworthy.

   Quick Fix: Introduce yourself and your company using humble forms, such as XXX??XXX?????, meaning "my name is XXX from XXX company."

3. Express appreciation for the recipient's time. Ending your email with just “Thank you!” can be a common misstep from English speakers. In Japanese, you should only say thank you if the recipient has done something for you. Instead, express a desire for a positive relationship.

   Quick Fix: A conservative option is to end with the phrase ???????????????, which conveys “Please be nice to me.”

4. Don’t go it alone. AI won’t make you a master of the language. Always verify with a native speaker or someo