B. A. The Japanese Language

[lorianne]

How would you translate 'B. A. The Japanese Language' into Japanese?

Thanks for your help!

[KyleGoetz]

Try it yourself first—that's how things work around here. Especially if you're trying to get a BA in Japanese, you ought to try

[lorianne]

Originally Posted by KyleGoetz

Try it yourself first—that's how things work around here. Especially if you're trying to get a BA in Japanese, you ought to try

I tried, but the only thing I could think of was: 学士号 日本語.

But this doesn't sound good, does it?

Help!

[KyleGoetz]

My Japanese résumé lists 純粋数学の理学士 and 日本語の文学士 (and 法学博士) as my degrees. Admittedly, this is something I've only made recently, and only did for fun. It may or may not be correct

[lorianne]

Originally Posted by KyleGoetz

My Japanese résumé lists 純粋数学の理学士 and 日本語の文学士 (and 法学博士) as my degrees. Admittedly, this is something I've only made recently, and only did for fun. It may or may not be correct

日本語の文学士? Interesting. Thanks a lot!

[KyleGoetz]

Originally Posted by lorianne

日本語の文学士? Interesting. Thanks a lot!

For your further edification, the way I crafted this translation was by reference to one of Eijiro's entries for "Bachelor of Science." Namely, "Bachelor of Science in engineering technology" has been translated as 工学技術の理学士. Although, honestly, I'm not sure if you need to add 号 to the end of that phrase or not.

In any case, given that BS=理学士 and BA=文学士, I translated "BA in Japanese language" as 日本語の文学史（にほんごのぶんがくし）.

[lorianne]

I asked a Japanese friend and he said: 日本語学士号.

[KyleGoetz]

Originally Posted by lorianne

I asked a Japanese friend and he said: 日本語学士号.

That doesn't specify "BA." It only says "Japanese degree."

[masaegu]

Originally Posted by KyleGoetz

That doesn't specify "BA." It only says "Japanese degree."

That is because, in Japanese, one seldom if ever makes a distinction between a BA and BS.

Originally Posted by KyleGoetz

　In any case, given that BS=理学士 and BA=文学士, I translated "BA in Japanese language" as 日本語の文学史（にほんごのぶんがくし）.

I know it's a typo but 文学史 means "history of literature".

[KyleGoetz]

Originally Posted by masaegu

That is because, in Japanese, one seldom if ever makes a distinction between a BA and BS.

And this gets into something I've wondered. Of course if you attended a Japanese university, you'd take this into account. But if you attended a US university, where a BA in math and a BS in math both exist, you'd want to make a distinction.

Then, if you're doing a translated レジュメ instead of a 履歴書, you'd be left wondering: translate my resume, or adjust for Japanese cultural expectations?

Relatedly, my résumé notes that I graduated magna cum laude. I know latin honors don't exist in Japan, nor do people graduate "with high honors" or anything. Still, someone in Japan might look for, when reading an American's résumé, such an honor when culling résumés for job candidates. So my Japanese résumé (I'm currently translating it for fun) notes 純粋数学の理学士（極めて優秀）.

I'm left wondering: Translate this part of my résumé or not? Is this stupid or not?

I know it's a typo but 文学史 means "history of literature".

D'oh! Thanks.