Exploring Challenges and Solutions in English-to-Chinese Courtroom Translation: Insights From the Tokyo Trial and Implications for Translator Training

This study investigates translation challenges and solutions in English-to-Chinese courtroom translation from the perspective of translators, specifically within the context of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), using Translatorial Action Theory (TAT) as the theoretical framework. Through semi-structured interviews with nine experienced legal translators and rigorous thematic analysis, the research identifies four core challenges: adapting diverse language styles (formal courtroom discourse, Classical Chinese), translating culturally embedded proper nouns (places, names, institutions, military ranks), conveying precise legal terminology (legislations, pacts), and ensuring terminological consistency across translators. Key solutions emerged through collaborative interactions with specialists (historians, legal experts), initiators (project leaders), and fellow translators, alongside essential translator competencies, that is, cross-referencing authoritative sources, professional knowledge, language proficiency, and a heightened sense of responsibility. These findings underscore the critical need for specialized translator training, including developing glossaries/databases for proper nouns and legal terms, instruction in stylistic adaptation and comparative law, and fostering structured collaboration. Additionally, as the study applies TAT to historical courtroom translation, it validates the theory’s emphasis on collaborative action while revealing novel contextual extensions. The research offers insights for enhancing the accuracy, consistency, and ethical rigor of legal translation training and practice.