“ ‘Japan’-a…? Oho, apdinnu kuda woru padippu irukka-enna?!” - (‘Japanese? You mean people can actually study a subject called ‘Japanese’ at University?!’). Try explaining this to people back home and nine times out of ten, this is their natural reaction. Our grandparents’ generation (bless their hearts!) have a quaint and somewhat endearing manner of speaking in which they are apt to confuse the name of the country for the language spoken there, and vice-versa – (cf. “avar ‘German’-la velai seyyarar” – ‘he works in Germany’). If ever you want to throw an Indian friend or relative off guard then this is the way to do it! At first they go into denial exclaiming, “Err yes, well, that’s just another word for Medicine or Chartered Accountancy, isn’t it?” However, the look of assurance on their faces soon begins to fade as they notice me frantically shaking my head from side to side in negation of their presumption. Their confusion is all the more compounded when I break the news to them that I am at present freelancing between my studies. It is not that they even need to say anything, their bemused expressions alone reveal it all: “You mean you don’t have a regular 9-5 job? Surely that’s what you’re aiming towards…?”

Anyway, back to the plot. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my educational background and some of the decisions informing my career moves to date. What follows in this article is therefore aimed primarily at the second generation in our society and more particularly, at those of you who are taking GCSE’s, A’ Levels, Degrees etc. and are faced with daunting tasks and decisions ahead of you at the beginning of the new academic year.

I studied Japanese BA Hon’s for my undergraduate degree at the University of London (SOAS). This followed on from a gap year in India during which time I focused on learning music and travelling around etc. As to the reasons why I chose this particular study path, well, that is a whole story unto its own in which the dual protagonists of ‘chance’ and ‘panic’ both had their parts to play! Suffice it to say that ever since I can remember I had a deep passion for languages and was set on pursuing this inclination in my higher studies and future career. If I had had it all my way, I would in fact have more than willingly opted for Sanskrit or Tamil at degree level, as had been my original intention. Japanese, believe it or not (!), was actually the compromise! Yes, that’s right, the compromise! With Japanese I would still be studying a language, albeit a modern one, but at the same time would also perhaps be setting the foundations for a future vocation involving trade or business with the East Pacific. This was my parents’ and my own reasoning behind the move at the time, anyway; a move most probably unprecedented in our South Indian Community.

Shortly after my graduation in July 2001, I went to work in Japan on the ‘JET Programme’ (Japan Exchange & Teaching).  There are two categories to the JET. One is the position of ‘Co-ordinator of International Relations’, where a good knowledge of the Japanese language is the main pre-requisite. This is the post that I was placed in. The second category is for ‘Assistant Language Teacher’ or ALT, which involves teaching English to Japanese primary and middle school students. The main requirement to apply is a first degree in any discipline. No knowledge of Japanese is presumed for the ALT placement. Although in my case I joined this programme with the specific aim of furthering my skills in the Japanese language, I would definitely recommend this scheme for any of you simply interested in broadening your horizons after university or wishing to embark upon something new and different. Similar English teaching programmes are of course available to student graduates in several other countries, notably China and South America. The time to apply for the JET Programme is before the month of December in your final year at university.

Ever since I returned from Japan in January 2002 I have been heavily involved, in some way or the other, with Tamil and Japanese freelance interpreting and translation work.  Having started as a Sessional Interpreter for the NHS, I have since progressed to interpreting for the Courts, Police and Immigration services and also over the ‘phone for IBM clients and emergency calls etc. It is a fascinating profession in which I get to make full use of my language skills (both verbal and written) and is one that is as varied as it is unpredictable. One day I could be interpreting for Japanese at a ‘Koi Carp Fish Convention’ in Kent, the other taking witness statements in Tamil for a victim of armed robbery in the West Midlands! The main downside with this type of employment, however, is the fact that it is sessional by nature and there is never any guarantee of a steady inflow of work assignments. Having said this, in my experience so far, the busy periods have more than compensated for and counter-balanced times when work was more scarce in coming.

At present, I have just been enrolled on a one-year’s MSc Trans. in scientific-related translation (Japanese and French into English) at Imperial College.  I do not have any precise idea of what the future holds in terms of my career, but who does? All I do know is that I will continue to balance my studies with my freelance work for the time being and to quench my thirst for languages by perfecting those that I know and acquiring new ones along the way. With opportunities being as numerous and diverse as they are I wish you all the very best of luck in your education and chosen career paths.