In the corporate and culture spheres, Bogusław Pindur and Andrzej Kentaro Pindur (father and son) are bringing Poland and Japan closer together through Matsugu. Translated from Japanese medieval times, Matsugu means ‘he who faithfully transmits’ and the company is committed to providing translation and consultancy
Bridges: How did Matsugu come to be?
Bogusław Pindur: Matsugu was established in 1999 by three experienced interpreters, who, at the same time, were lecturers of Japanese Studies at Warsaw University. We specialize in technical, business and political interpretation and translation; however, the expertise of our interpreters allows us to undertake translation and consulting projects from all fields.
One of our main fields is providing all types of services to mass media. Naturally, we specialize also in consulting and market research. We provide high quality services not only thanks to excellent knowledge of Japanese language but also deep knowledge of the culture of Japan and Poland as well as expectations of our clients.
We provide high quality services not only thanks to excellent knowledge of Japanese language but also deep knowledge of the culture of Japan and Poland as well as expectations of our clients.
Bogusław Pindur, Co-owner of Matsugu
Our clients include: Isuzu, Toshiba, Sharp, Funai, Bridgestone, Daicel, Mabuchi Motor, Toyota, Daikin, Embassy of Japan in Poland, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chancellery of the President of Republic of Poland and other ministries and state organizations.
How would you describe the relationship between Poland and Japan today in terms of business and cultural ties?
Andy Kentaro Pindur: The 100th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations has been celebrated in 2019 (Started 22 march 1919). In 2018 the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has been signed, which lifted 99% of European and 97%of Japanese tariffs. The implementation of provisions in EPA are still ongoing, therefore further tightening of economic relationship is certain. Strategic Partnership between Poland and Japan has been signed in 2020. In 2021 Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) hosted an investment conference “Why Poland Now”, which has been attended (mainly online due to covid) by 500 people from Poland and Japan.
In 2023 a memorandum on cooperation between polish and Japanese institutions that support entrepreneurship, that is: Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) as well as: Corporation of Export Credit Insurance (KUKE) and Nippon Export Investment Insurance (NEXI) was signed. Business between Poland and Japan is blooming. Recent expansions of Japanese Manufacturing Plants including Toyota, Mabuchi Motor (automotive) and many others, as well as new investments like Daikin (Heat pumps) and TS Tech (automotive) support this statement.
Moreover, Japanese culture is becoming highly popular in Poland. 9th edition of ‘Matsuri – picnic with Japanese culture’ has taken place in July 2024 in Warsaw. The event has gathered about 30,000 visitors in one day. Other Japanese events like Japanese Weekend EXPO held in Warsaw and multiple other ‘conventions and Japan-related events are highly popular and gather a number of visitors each year.
Japanese martial arts (Judo, Aikido, Kendo, Kyudo) as well as other arts (Tea ceremony, Ikebana, Calligraphy, Yosakoi dance) and pastimes (shogi, mahjong, kendama) are available and becoming more and more popular. Almost every young Pole knows what is sushi or ramen. Japanese cuisine can be found in every major city. Unfortunately, Polish cuisine and culture is little known in Japan.
What does Matsugu stand for in terms of quality and service?
Bogusław Pindur: The name of our company MATSUGU stands for ‘To convey faithfully’. It is a set of two ideograms – 真 – truth and 継 – succeed (convey). What we want to provide is an interpretation and translation service that will make our clients forget about the existence of a language barrier.
In order to accomplish this goal our interpreters are exclusively selected professionals that possess excellent skills in Japanese. Their deep knowledge of Japanese culture, history and customs is necessary to correctly understand a Japanese person. Each of our written translations undergoes a multi-step verification to provide the highest possible quality.
What impact is technology and A.I. having on traditional translation service providers and how important is the ‘human touch’ in today’s increasingly tech-driven landscape?
Andy Kentaro Pindur: Technology and A.I. is increasing its presence in translation services. Automatic translation services are becoming widespread and although its quality is still questionable, the precision of this technology is rapidly improving. A.I. is a technology still at an early stage of development, however the quality of its translation is acceptable in limited situations.
Still, computer-assisted translation provides the best quality-to-price competitiveness. Traditional translation service is still practiced and it should remain so for upcoming years. No matter how good the technology seems to be today, in the end it is a human being that must confirm the quality of the translation. Machine still cannot ‘comprehend’ the delicate, non-verbal or straightforward emotional side of human language. This is something that us humans can only feel (for now).
When it comes to interpretation (verbal translation) there is no better service than experienced interpreter. As the name ‘interpretation’ suggests communication between two people from different culture and language is not only a matter of translating the words as they are. An interpreter must understand truly what the person wants to convey to another human being and what kind of emotions lie underneath the words the person speaks. Therefore interpretation, especially between Japanese and European languages, is rarely only a matter of straightforward word translating. That is why it is called ‘interpreting’ instead of ‘oral translation’.
When it comes to interpretation (verbal translation) there is no better service than experienced interpreter. As the name ‘interpretation’ suggests communication between two people from different culture and language is not only a matter of translating the words as they are.
Andrzej Kentaro Pindur, Co-owner of Matsugu
We still believe that human interpreter is the best, so to say ‘tool’ to convey what another person wants to communicate. Especially during negotiations, discussions, exchange of opinions and in other situations that require high level of emotional awareness and empathy. Machines have still a lot to learn to reach human level of understanding.
What does the future hold for Matsugu as we approach 2025?
Bogusław Pindur: The changes on the market after COVID-19 (2020-2022) and the start of aggression of Russia on Ukraine (2022-) have been noticeable. COVID-19 caused the disruption in air travel decreasing the need for interpretation services and other forms of accompanying services.
The start of the war in Ukraine brought further decrease in services, mainly due to increasing energy costs that caused companies to search for cost-reduction opportunities. Unfortunately, translation and interpretation services were one of the costs that ‘could be avoided’. However, it seems that the cost ‘that could be avoided’ is not a cost that can be avoided perpetually.
2025 is a year of Osaka-Kansai EXPO in Japan. Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) in cooperation with Special Economic Zones and other Trade organizations strongly encourage Polish companies to organize trade missions to Japan and provide various incentives and grants to support those efforts. We believe that Osaka-Kansai EXPO 2025 will deepen the relationships, especially economic, between both countries, therefore increasing the demand for translation, interpretation and consulting services.
Aleja Gen. W. Sikorskiego 11/25 02-758 Warsaw, Poland
[email protected]
www.matsugu.pl
EN website | JP website
