Accurate - Creative - Native
Japanese-English Translation, Localization & Transcription
Email: ​translation@samberven.com
​​​​Tel: +15093926389
​We are Sam & Yuriko Berven. Welcome to our website.

Sam specializes in game and video localization, subtitling, and marketing translation.
Yuriko provides monolingual Japanese editing and transcription services.

With our international, bilingual marriage, we work together to ensure natural and engaging target English that preserves the essence of the original Japanese text, always with the end user or reader in mind.

Please find summaries of our backgrounds and services below.
We can handle your next project.
Sam Berven (BA)
Key Points:
• 7 years experience as a full-time translator
• US English native
• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N1-certified
• More than 3 million words translated to date
• Average daily output of approx. 5,000 source words
• University Degree in Japanese Language (BA)
• Hundreds of projects delivered on time with deadlines ranging from hours to months
• Familiarity with Japanese regional dialects
Technical Skills:
• CAT tools (Trados, MemoQ, Memsource, Across, Wordbee)
• Subtitle timing/encoding (Subtitle Edit, Aegisub)
• Netflix and SDH subtitles familiarity
  (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) 
Education:
• BA, Japanese, Western Washington University
• Japanese Language Program, Nihon University, Tokyo
"Will definitely continue to work with Sam. He provides quality, reliability and professionalism."
Yuriko Berven (BA)
Key Points:
• 3 years Japanese editing experience
• Native Japanese speaker
• Multiple years spent in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia
Education:
• BA, English Film Translation, Sagami Women’s University​

Video Game Localization

I have worked on 12 titles in total, ranging from a mobile title of a few thousands words on my own, to several hundred thousand words of a major PS4 title, working on a team of six.

I utilize my upbringing in the United States with my 7+ years of experience in Japan to create fun, accurate, and captivating translations, always with the player experience in mind. Proficient with MemoQ and other CAT tools, I am comfortable with team communication, and with adhering to client glossaries and style guides.

In addition to games themselves, I have also translated a large amount of gaming-related content, including marketing materials and industry reports.

Please find past project highlights below.
Platforms:
• Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Nintendo 3DS, iOS, Android

Genres:
​• RPG, fighting, training sim, action, puzzle, monster-hunting, adventure, card
Localized GAmes
• AAA military-themed RPG - PlayStation 4 - 230,000 words
• Mobile 3D action title for AAA Japanese IP - iOS/Android - 130,000 words
• Fantasy life-simulation title - PC - 20,000 words
• History-themed digital collectible card game - iOS/Android/Browser - 20,000 words
• Fantasy-themed digital collectible card game - iOS/Android/Windows/macOS - 24,000 words
• Digital pet training title - Switch - 20,000 words
• Mobile fantasy title story - iOS/Android - 2,000 words
• Indie fighting title - Switch - 5,000 words
• Story-heavy puzzle game - iOS/Android - 9,000 words
• Medieval adventure/battle title - iOS/Android  - 10,000 words
• Monster-hunting RPG, iOS/Android - 4,000 words
Gaming-adjacent
• Producer and developer interviews - 120,000 words (8 hours)
• AAA action-RPG PS4 title magazine article - 6,000 words
​• Game industry report (ongoing) - 420,000 words
•​ F.A.Q. for ​Android & iOS titles - 77,000 words
•​ Interactive gaming toys websites (marketing and technical information) - 9,000 words
•​ Console technical information and marketing - 15,000 words
•​ Console technical support / Q&A - 45,000 words
•​ Titles and series marketing websites transcreation - 30,000 words
​​"Our workflow strictly requires candidates who can work under pressure.
​​​​I am pleased to confirm that Sam truly is one of those people."
Transcription, Subtitling & Encoding
With media localization, I place priority on readability and succinctness. I have handled anime, comedy, documentary, and interview content, including both one-off and serial projects.

For creative localization, I utilize my familiarity with prominent Japanese dialects and associated characterizations to ensure appropriate English equivalents.

In addition to guidelines for subtitle formatting and encoding, I am also familiar with style guides and industry standards, including for Netflix and SDH subtitling.

If needed, we offer finalized Japanese transcriptions along with English subtitles, in addition to transcription alone.

Please find past project highlights below.
Tools:
• Subtitle Edit, Aegisub

Style Guides & Standards:
• Netflix, SDH subtitling
Film / TV / ANIME HIGHLIGHTS
• Samurai-themed period film, set in the 17th century - 17,000 words (1.5 hr)
• 1970s gangster film  - 13,000 words (1.5 hr)
• 1970s gangster film  - 13,000 words (1.5 hr)
• Modern Sci-Fi/ slice of life anime (episodic) - 15,000 words
• Film-making documentary (episodic) - 12,000 words
• Comedy TV show pilot episode - 6,000 words
• Police-themed comedy TV show - 13,000 words
• Science fiction anime - 10,000 words
DIGITAL NOVEL / MANGA HIGHLIGHTS
​​• Mobile interactive digital novel series - 500,000 words
• Interactive mystery digital novel - 23,000 words
• Humorous light manga series -  160,000 words
Interviews
​​• Post-earthquake documentary interviews 15,000 words (45 min)
​• Producer and developer interviews - 120,000 words (8 hours)
• Luxury watch promotional interviews - 30 minutes
• International soccer/football match promotional interviews - 20 minutes
"It was a pleasure working with Sam, and I happily recommend him to any future client;  ​
He is a team player and would be a great asset to any organization."
Marketing Translation
• I balance explanations of local history and traditions with succinct English, working to engage readers without overwhelming them.
​• Awareness of unique characteristics of written Japanese business documents, particularly correspondence
• Ability to succinctly express core points when required (for internal surveys, etc.)
• Comfortable with online Japanese speech (abbreviations, emojis, etc.)

Please find past project highlights below.
Tourism
• In-flight magazine travel and culture articles - 15,000 words
• Traditional inn and hot springs websites - 10,000 words
• Series of articles relating to Buddhism - 10,000 words
​• Chocolatier PR article - 5,000 words
• Okonomiyaki restaurant history - 6,000 words
• Local fruit production PR article - 6,000 words
• Fish market history article - 7,000 words
​• Local traditional cuisine history article - 5,000 words
Business-to-business Marketing
• Fashion and consumer goods marketing - 500,000 words 
• Apparel website product descriptions - 80,000 words
• Online marketing content - 80,000 words
Business-to-consumer MARKETING
• French and Italian luxury brand research - 450,000 words
• Social network marketing research - 36,000 words​
“Serious and very professional translator. Highly recommended."
Other Fields
Although I now focus on media localization and marketing documents, I have significant experience with contract and other legal document translation.

• I balance explanations of local history and traditions with succinct English, working to engage readers without overwhelming them.
​• Awareness of unique characteristics of written Japanese business documents, particularly correspondence
• Ability to succinctly express core points when required (for internal surveys, etc.)
• Comfortable with online Japanese speech (abbreviations, emojis, etc.)

Please find past project highlights below.
CONTRACTS
• [Coming soon!]
REGULATIONS
• [Coming soon!]
Misc.
​• [Coming soon!]
"Sam is really responsive and does a great job for me, even when handling unusual projects.
​I appreciate his professionalism."
About Us
​​A full-time translator since 2014, I was born and raised in the United States, and have spent 6 years of my life in Japan.
A native speaker of American English, I have been developing my Japanese abilities for over a decade.
CV/Resume and references available upon request.
Email: ​translation@samberven.com
​​​​Tel: +15093926389

ProZ: https://www.proz.com/translator/1921691
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samberven/