Maho Fukuno

Maho Fukuno is a lecturer in Japanese Studies in RMIT's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies.

Maho is an applied linguist focused on the role and impact of language for the individual and society. Her research interests lie in the interdisciplinary field of translation studies, intercultural communication and moral philosophy. Maho's academic work centres on humanising translators' ethics and practice and is extended to her research on fair, empathetic and morally sensitive language practice, education and services as critical infrastructure in a multicultural society.

Maho's current project examines the alignment and divergence of opinions on translation quality between translators and readers, drawing on a large existing qualitative dataset that was collected from practicing translators and community readers of their public health translations. It applies perspectives and concepts of ethics and ideology in translation and language to this dataset to construct theoretical solutions for conflict between professional translation practice and the preferences of readers. This project seeks to enhance collaborative practice between both parties and reform multicultural service health communication as a multi-party negotiation, ultimately improving health outcomes and wellbeing for Australia’s multicultural society.