THE CIRIN BULLETIN
Conference
Interpreting Research
Information Network
An independent network for the
dissemination of information on
conference interpreting
research (CIR)
__________________________________________________________________
BULLETIN n°35
December 2007
Editor: Daniel Gile
Contributors to
this issue:
Al-Zahran,
Aladdin (AZA),
Editorial address:
D. Gile, 46, rue d'Alembert,
92190 Meudon,
tel/fax +33 1 45 34 83 84
e-mail: daniel.gile@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.cirinandgile.com
This Bulletin aims at
contributing to the dissemination of information on conference interpreting
research (CIR) and at providing useful information to members of the CIR
community worldwide. It is intended to achieve maximum coverage of research
into this sub-field of interpreting, and only occasionally refers to research
and publications in other sub-fields. The Bulletin is published twice a
year, in December and June. For further information and electronic or paper
copies of early issues (the last issue is available on the Web site at any
time), please contact D. Gile.
Note: the
mini-abstracts are followed by the initials of the contributors who sent in the
information, but the text may also be written or adapted from the original text
by D.Gile, who takes responsibility for the comments and for potential errors
introduced by him.
* *
*
Ninety one new references are listed in this Bulletin. At this time, the total number
of references in the CIRIN database for 2006 is above 150 and the total number
of items for 2007 is above 70 - these numbers will be updated in the next years
as more information comes in, but already show that the general level of
research activity remains high. Note in particular the large number of theses
and articles from
Daniel
Gile
Bartłomiejczyk,
* Retrospective verbal protocols were applied to
investigate interpreting strategies used by 36 trainee subjects working in both
directions between English (B) and Polish (A). Approximation proved to be the
most popular interpreting strategy among 21 strategies and was reported considerably more often for A-into-B
interpreting. A qualitative analysis of all the reported cases suggests that it
is a successful strategy.
Bartłomiejczyk,
* This paper discusses
quality assessment of the performance of both professional and student
interpreters working in various contexts, using a wide range of methods. It
then focuses on self-evaluation by trainee simultaneous interpreters as
examined in two empirical studies. The first project applied retrospective
verbal protocols to investigate interpreting strategies used by 36 advanced
student interpreters working in both directions between Polish (A) and English
(B). The results concerning self-evaluation, which are presented here, were a
by-product of this first study, but they gave rise to questions that are
further explored in the second project. Eighteen subjects at the same stage of
training were asked to interpret a text from English into Polish and to evaluate
their own performance, linking it to the strategic processing they had applied.
The results suggest a significant trend towards negative assessment, combined
with most attention being devoted to faithfulness to the original message and
to completeness. Issues of presentation (including monotonous intonation,
hesitant voice and long pauses), on the other hand, were hardly ever mentioned.
CHANG, Chia-chien & Diane L. Shallert. 2007. The impact of directionality on
Chinese/English simultaneous interpreting. Interpreting
9:2. 137-176.
* A particularly interesting study. Ten professional interpreters, some
of whom had dominant Chinese and others dominant English, were asked to
interpret 4 speeches each, 2 from English into Chinese and 2 from Chinese into
English, one ‘slow’ (100 wpm) and one ‘fast’ (130 wpm). Each interpretation was
followed by a retrospective stimulated interview (with a transcript of the
source speech and a dual-track recording of the speech and the target-language
output), and after the four operations were completed, a general interview was
conducted. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The output was also
transcribed and assessed, both for propositional accuracy and for language
errors. On the basis of the transcripts, a model of interpreting was developed
following the grounded theory approach to analyze strategies used. Results
suggest, in line with other studies on directionality, that interpreters tend
to develop different strategies when interpreting from A into B and from B into
A. It also transpired that the interpreters, almost all of whom were
interpreting instructors themselves, were aware of a number of
communication-oriented norms which guided their behaviour, and that they
adapted their strategies to the needs and resources over time. Their comments
also show they are aware of language availability problems and of limitations
in available attentional resources and their consequences (which they describe
in terms very similar to failure sequences described in the Effort Models).
Interestingly, they also feel that some language/culture specific features are
relevant. In this case, they refer to the lack of explicitness of Chinese
discourse which needs to be ‘interpreted’ more than English discourse. Also
interestingly, Chinese A-interpreters produced more accurate renditions into
Chinese than English A-interpreters, but there was no directionality-related
difference in propositional accuracy in English A-interpreters. The speed
effect was significant, with better performance with the ‘slow’ speeches.
Interesting methodology, interesting information.
FENG, Jianzhong. 2007.
Professional Ethics: An Indispensable Part for CATTI (in Chinese). Foreign
Languages Research 2007:1(No.101). 53-55.
Abstract:
Gumul, Ewa. 2007. Explicitation in
conference interpreting. In Thelen, Marcel and Lewandowska-Tomaszczyk, Barbara Translation
and Meaning. Part 7,
* The main goal of the study is to detect possible
differences concerning explicitation in simultaneous vs. consecutive
interpreting. 48 trainee subjects interpreted two source texts from English (B)
into Polish (A) in both the modes. The overall number of explicitating shifts
in consecutive proved considerably
higher than in simultaneous interpreting. The most frequent form of
explicitation in both the modes was adding connectives, followed by replacement
of referential cohesion with lexical cohesion. (BM)
Laskowska, Patrycja. 2006. O
antycypacji w tłumaczeniu symultanicznym [On anticipation in simultaneous
interpreting]. In Tryuk 2006, 11-30.
* A thorough theoretical discussion of anticipation
followed by a very brief account on the author’s empirical research.
Anticipation depended on the type of source text rather than the source
language (English or French). Spontaneous texts triggered mostly linguistic
anticipation, and structured text extralinguistic anticipation. (BM)
Lenart, Sylwia. 2006. Dobór
tekstów w kształceniu tłumaczy konferencyjnych [Choosing texts for
conference interpreter training]. In Tryuk 2006, 31-48.
* A survey of 20 Polish interpreters showed the
fields in which they interpreted most frequently (economics and politics
topping the list) and typical problems they encountered (monotonous delivery, high
information density, fast speech rate). As for source text types, their
relative frequency was reported as follows: semi-spontaneous (presented on the
basis of notes), followed by spontaneous, and finally read-aloud texts. Only
10% of respondents preferred to interpret texts which were read aloud. (BM)
LI Cheng.
2007. The differences between simultaneous interpreting and consecutive
interpreting in form, tactic and cognitive requirement. Journal of
* This paper
illustrates the differences between simultaneous interpreting and consecutive
interpreting in form, tactic and cognitive requirement by relying on the
theoretical foundation of processing capacity established by cognitive
psychology and on D. Gile’s Effort Models. It discusses the limitation of
processing capacity and cognitive requirement and their influence on an
interpreter’s performance and also the due effect of formal and tactical
differences on the allocation of processing capacity.
LIN, Kevin. 2007. From what
meaning to no meaning. A speech act approach to consecutive interpreting. In
Thelen, Marcel and Lewandowska-Tomaszczyk, Barbara Translation and Meaning.
Part 7,
* A practicing interpreter uses several examples
from his own assignments (bilateral consecutive interpreting between English
and Chinese) to discuss the link between interpreting and pragmatics. The main
task of the interpreter is seen as achieving the same perlocutionary effect as
the original speaker. Several problems concerning interpreting between distant
cultures are discussed, such as conveying implicatures, cues and humour.
LIU Heping.
2007. Preparation and the quality of interpreting: an experiment. Journal of Language & Culture. No.
3: 73-76 (in Chinese)
* This article
reports an experiment of interpreting course to reveal the relation between
preparation and the quality of interpreting. The results show that preparation
conducted before interpreting is highly necessary and significant to ensure the
quality. Translation cannot be done without linguistic knowledge and cognitive
knowledge in particular. Therefore, it is an important component in
interpreting training to help students to acquire the cognitive knowledge
necessary for comprehension. (WBH)
LIU Heping.
2007. On the orientation of professional interpreter training in
* The paper,
starting from the Chinese market demands for interpreting and the requirement
of its professionalism, divides professional interpretation into 4 levels,
namely, professional conference interpreting, professional interpreting,
consecutive interpreting, and interpreting for tourism and liaison. With the
help of figures, the author analyzes the reasons for this division. She then
studies the principles and methods of consecutive interpretation training and
stresses the importance and need for a progressive improvement of professional
training in
MAO Zhongming
& CHENG Fugan. 2007. Rosch’s Prototype Theory and the Interpreter’s
Word-Searching Strategy. Journal of
* This essay,
from the perspective of Rosch’s prototype theory, makes a probe into the
strategy of using the prototype word to reach loose equivalence between TL and
SL when the interpreter cannot recall the exact word. And it goes further to
point out that, by adopting the sub-prototype word, that is, a word in an
interim state between the proto-type word and the exact word, the interpreter
can make an immediate self-correction while blurting out the prototype word so
as to improve the quality of interpretation. (WBH)
Motta, M.
Możdżonek, Anna. 2006.
Tłumaczenie symultaniczne, tłumaczenie a vista i tłumaczenie
symultaniczne z tekstem [Simultaneous interpreting, sight translation and
simultaneous with text]. In Tryuk 2006, 49-64.
* The experimental set-up involved six trainee
subjects and three source texts to be interpreted in various modes from French
(B) into Polish (A). Examples of different strategies typical of each mode are
provided, albeit without quantitative data. The author claims to have confirmed
her initial hypothesis that interpreting with text would produce better results
than without text, but fails to explain how the quality of the interpretations
was measured and compared (MB).
Nafá Waasaf,
María Lourdes. 2007. Intonation and the structural organisation of
texts in simultaneous interpreting. Interpreting
9:2. 177-198.
* A summary of
the author’s 2005 doctoral dissertation. Fifteen source speeches produced at
the European Parliament and the European Commission and their interpretation
were scrutinized for acoustic characteristics. Results suggest that both
speakers and interpreters follow intonational patterns described in the
literature, i.e. high pitch at initial paragraph boundaries and low pitch at
final boundaries.
Pałka, Alina. 2006. Dydaktyka tłumaczenia
symultanicznego na język B [Teaching simultaneous interpreting into a B
language]. In Tryuk 2006, 65-80.
* The reported experiment consisted in recording
interpretations into B (Polish-French) by five advanced interpreting trainees
and presenting them for evaluation to a French user of interpreting services to
see whether they met his expectations. The overall evaluation was positive,
although the referee noticed some errors (no examples of these are provided).
(MB)
Pöchhacker,
Franz. 2007. Quality Standards in Interpreting: Theory and
Application. Chinese
Translators Journal 28:182
(2007:2).10-16.
* Abstract: This paper explores the issue of quality in interpreting from
two main perspectives - the profession and academic research. Following a review and
illustration of conference interpreters' original aspiration to equate quality
with professional status, I will examine the contribution of academic research to the
issue of quality, with particular emphasis on survey research into interpreters'
quality criteria and end-users' expectations. It will be shown that quality can
and must be approached from multiple perspectives and with reference to a complex set of criteria relating to both
the service aspects and the product features of an interpreter's performance. Against the background of this
comprehensive view of quality, I will take the notion of quality standards in
its specific
technical sense and discuss recent efforts at drafting national standards for
interpreting services, including the ASTM Standard Guide, the draft Chinese standard, and Austrian Standards 1202
and 1203. I will argue that standard-setting for professional interpreting
services must be informed by insights from theoretical and empirical research
if standards of practice are to reflect the full complexity and variety of
professional reality.
Ruszel, Joanna. 2006. Ocena
kompetencji w kształceniu tłumaczy konferencyjnych: normy zawodowe a
parametry dydaktyczne [Evaluation of competences in conference interpreter
training: Professional norms and didactic parameters]. In Tryuk 2006, 99-120.
* The paper contrasts the evaluation of
professional interpreters’ performance with evaluation at various stages of
interpreter training. Two consecutive interpretations from French into Polish
undergo assessment by an examiner. The assessment is carried out first by
applying quality norms that hold for professional interpreters and then by
measuring the level of development of skills and expertise. It is shown that an
interpretation which does not fully meet all professional standards may
nevertheless be given a favourable grade in the final examination. (MB)
Sandrelli, Analisa & Jesús de Manuel
* CAIT (Computer Assisted Interpreter Training) is a
relatively new field of interpreting studies which began to develop in the mid
1990s. The impetus behind CAIT is an attempt to exploit the multimedia
capabilities of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enhance the
teaching and learning of interpreting in various ways. The present feature
article offers an overview of the three major approaches that have been
developed within CAIT over its ten-year history. Integrative CAIT relies on
digital speech banks or repositories to provide students with suitable
materials for classroom use or self-study, with computers playing the twofold
role of tutor and stimulus. Intelligent CAIT has flourished on the back of new
dedicated authoring programs which enable interpreter trainers to easily create
various types of exercises and provide trainees with tools to optimize the use
of the available resources; in an environment where the computer plays the role
of tool, intelligent CAIT applications incorporate new utilities to increase
interaction between computer and users and to situate learning in more
realistic contexts. The third approach, based on Virtual Learning Environments,
seeks to exploit the opportunities offered by computer-mediated communication
tools and make the teaching and learning of interpreting more immersive by
applying aspects of simulation technology available in computer games. As the
overview progresses, the reader is introduced to a number of state-of-the-art CAIT
programs and applications.
Santa Montez, Maria. 2002. Método de toma de notas en tetracolumna en interpretación
consecutiva. Sendebar 13. 23-32.
* The autor recommends a method for taking notes in consecutive in 4
columns: main topic, action, complement
or secondary topic, details.
Seeber, K.G. 2001. Intonation
and anticipation in simultaneous interpreting. Cahiers de Linquistique Française
23. 61 – 97.
Seeber, K.G. 2004. Prosodic deterioration and
comprehension in simultaneous interpreting: a follow up experiment. Cahiers
de l'Institut de Linguistique de Louvain , 30:1. 233 – 242.
Seeber, K.G. 2005. Temporale Aspekte der
Antizipation beim Simultandolmetschen komplexer SOV-Strukturen aus dem
Deutschen. Bulletin
Suisse de linguistique appliquée
81. 123 – 149.
Seeber, K.G.,
Zelger C. 2007. Betrayal
- vice or virtue: An ethical perspective on accuracy in simultaneous
interpreting.
Setton, Robin & Manuela Motta. 2007. Synctacrobatics. Quality and reformulation
in simultaneous-with-text. Interpreting
9:2. 199-230.
* The primary aim of the study was to test the widely-held belief that ’deverbalization’-based
interpreting, one which is generally more remote from the form of the source
speech, results in a better-quality output. Twenty four interpreters, 13
novices and 10 or 11 experts, interpreted two English speeches into French. The
methodology adopted was triangulation, with judgment by 4 experienced
interpretation users from international organization on one hand and
transcript-based measures of accuracy, style and fluency. Analysis showed that
major errors were a good predictor of user judgment in spite of the fact that
the users did not have access to the source speech. No correlation was found
between restructuring (i.e. deverbalization-based interpreting) and quality
judgment. The paper includes reflection on methodological issues.
* Seven interpreters simultaneously interpreted an
English speech into Hebrew and translated it in writing 4 years later (the
authors assume that by that time, they will have forgotten the details of the
solutions they found to interpreting problems). The translation of cognates in
both modalities is compared. It turns out that there are more cognates than
non-cognates in the TT in interpreting than in translation, and that there are
more false cognates than correct translations in interpreting than in written
translation. These findings support the idea that cognitive pressure has
practical implications on both interpreting strategies and level of
correctness.
Tryuk, Małgorzata. 2006. Ocena
jakości przekładu w procesie kształcenia tłumaczy
konferencyjnych [Quality assessment in conference interpreter training]. In
Tryuk 2006, 133-147.
* A review of criteria taken into account during
assessment of interpreter trainees, supplemented by a number of assessment
sheets proposed by various schools. (MB)
Vásquez y del Arbol,
Ester. 2005. Estrategias docentes para la interpretación consecutiva. Sendebar 16. 181-191.
* Teaching
exercises for consecutive.
WANG Dongzhi.
* This paper
first gives a brief introduction to the 6th National Conference on Interpreting
Studies in
WANG Dongzhi & WANG Lidi. 2007. The Quality of Interpreting and Its Control. The Chinese Translators Journal 28:184 (2007 n°4). 54-57 (in Chinese)
Abstract: The rapid growth of
Wittlin, Katarzyna. 2006. Model
profesjonalizacji rynku tłumaczeń ustnych w Polsce [A model of
interpreting market professionalisation in
* The paper focuses mainly on theoretical models of
professionalisation. The author presents a few facts referring to the times
before the transformation of 1989, but fails to describe the present market
situation in any depth.
XU Haiming &
DAI Weidong. 2007. Features of note-taking made by professional
interpreter trainees and non-professional interpreters in consecutive
interpreting: An empirical study. Foreign
Language Teaching and Research. Vol. 39 No. 2: 136-144 (in Chinese)
* This study aims
to investigate the features of note2taking (Dam, et al. 2005) made by native
Chinese professional trainee interpreters (PTIs) and non-professional
interpreters (NPIs), specifically, the quantity, form and language of their
notes. It also examines the relationship between the features of note-taking
and interpreting efficiency. Six professional trainee interpreters and six
non-professionals were chosen as participants in the study. Interpreting
process video-recording, stimulated recall, interviews and scrutiny of the
real-time notes made by the participants were used as instruments to record or
elicit data. The study yields the following results: 1) as regards the
quantity, the NPIs made more notes of the source information than the PTIs did;
2) as regards the form, the PTIs used fewer phrases, more single words and more
symbols than the NPIs did; 3) as regards the language, PTIs used less source
language (Chinese) but more target language (English) than the NPIs did. The
results also indicate that the relationship between the features of note-taking
and interpreting efficiency is complex, rather than linear and straightforward. (WBH)
YANG Liu. 2007. The Development of Western Theories
of Interpretation and their Reception in
* Abstract: Tracing the development of interpretation theories in the
West and their reception in
ZHANG Wei &
WANG Kefei. 2007. The study between interpreting and working
memory. Foreign Languages and Their
Teaching. No. l: 43-47 (in Chinese)
* Memory is one
the fundamental elements in successful interpreting, exerting great influence
on interpreting quality (IQ). This paper focuses on the relationship between
simultaneous interpreting and working memory (WK), showing the significant
effect of both volume of WK and coordinating power of WK on IQ, and the more
practical effect of other interpreting-related skills and strategies. By
analyzing the existing problems in interpreting research, the authors hold that
working memory in interpreting can be furthered by improving research design as
well as adopting interdisciplinary approaches. (WBH)
ZHONG Weihe. 2007.
The principles and methodology for training professional interpreters. Journal of
* This paper
discusses the principles and methodology for training professional
interpreters. Based on Gile’s comprehension formula of interpreting: C=KL+ ELK
+A (Comprehension = Knowledge for the Language + Extra-Linguistic Knowledge
+Analysis), the author provides a Knowledge Requirements Formula for
Interpreters: KI = KL + EK + S (P + AP). In this formula, KI=Knowledge Required
for an Interpreter, KL=Knowledge for Languages, EK = Encyclopedic Knowledge,
S(P + AP)= Professional Interpreting Skills and Artistic Presentation Skills.
The author proposes that interpreting related courses should be designed
according to this Knowledge Requirements Formula for Interpreters, i.e. the
syllabus should include courses on the improvement of language proficiency and
language skills, courses or seminars on encyclopedic knowledge and courses on
interpreting skills and professional standards. He also provides a tentative
pedagogy for the introduction of the required knowledge for interpreters. He
then introduces the Eight Principles of interpreting training. (WBH)
M.A. AND GRADUATION THESES
M. A. Theses in
the School of Interpreting & Translation Studies,
CHEN, Feihu. 2007. Treatment of
Culturally-loaded Expressions in C-E Interpreting －from the Perspective of Schema Theory. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting &
Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract：In
recent years, interpreting is playing a more and more important role in
inter-cultural communication. Especially during the annual NPC and CPPCC
meetings, the importance of interpreting has been more than ever highlighted.
Various culturally-loaded expressions involved in the language of speakers
including culturally-loaded words, Chinese popular sayings and old sayings have
always posed the greatest challenge for interpreters. The author collected the
press conference videos of Premier Zhu Rongji, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign
Minister Li Zhaoxing, put the culturally-loaded expressions involved into three
categories based on the three corresponding relations of cultural schema, and
analyzed the interpreters’ treatment of the culturally-loaded expressions in
detail from the perspective of schema theory Based on the analysis, the author
achieved two major findings: Firstly, the author sorted out all the coping
tactics adopted by the interpreters and put them into four categories,
including paraphrasing, borrowing, literal interpretation and literal
interpretation plus explanation. Secondly, three coping strategies of the
Chinese culturally-loaded expressions were proposed, including introduction of
new cultural schema, adjustment of cultural schema and zero introduction of
cultural schema. At the same time, the author also pointed out possible coping
strategies and specific tactics to deal with each kind of corresponding
relation of cultural schema.
Key
words: interpreting; culturally-loaded expression; cultural schema; coping
strategies (WBH)
DENG, Yanling.
* Abstract: Gile pointed out that simultaneous interpreting (SI)
involves multiple tasks. Interpreters have to listen and analyze the
forthcoming information while they are interpreting the preceding information.
This complex process costs enormous processing efforts. Omission often occurs
because of the constraint of processing capacity. However, simultaneous
interpreters claim that the strategy of addition is also frequently used and it
is most welcome for them although they are facing the constraint of processing
capacity and the risk of more information loss. In this research, the author
intends to justify the adoption of addition with functional approach. She
assumes that any strategy can be used and ought to be used as long as it is
conducive to SI performance. She has carried out an observational study with a
view to identifying the types and purposes of addition employed in SI. She has
classified the types of addition and she has also studied the purposes of those
additions. In this way, she hopes that the research can shed light on
simultaneous interpreters as well as trainees in developing the skill of
addition. In addition, she hopes the findings of this study can be of great
help for teachers to develop pedagogical methods of SI so that students can be
adept at the adoption of addition in various situations.
Key words: addition, simultaneous interpreting, Skopos, coherence (WBH)
FAN, Xiaoyan.
2006. Short-Term Memory in Consecutive Interpreting -- A study based on
Cognitive Psychology. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting &
Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: This study is both theoretical and empirical. As the importance
of the STM and its training in CI have not been given due attention by Chinese
interpreting researchers and trainers, the author elaborates the significance
of the STM from the perspective of cognitive psychology. Mainly based on Gile’s
Effort Model and the information-processing model, the author endeavors to
prove why the STM plays a key role in CI and why the STM training should be put
at the very early stage during CI training. The author further analyzes that
the factors influencing the effect of STM in CI are: the correct understanding
of the source language, a “prepared” good long-term memory (LTM) basis and
effective training methods. As the listening competence and LTM are mainly
improved by learning process, the author believes that CI interpreters’ STM
capacity can be achieved through effective coping tactics. By analyzing the
memory training methods proposed and practiced by famous scholars in the
interpreting circle, the author proposes to combine the retelling exercise with
visual and logical thinking as a coping approach. An one-month experiment is
conducted. The Control Group is trained on retelling exercises and the
Experimental Group is trained on retelling exercise with visual and logical
thinking. Both of the groups are improved in their proposition recall through
the experiment, while the effect on experimental group seems superior to that
of the control group. Key words: Consecutive Interpreting, Short-Term Memory,
STM training
Key words: Consecutive Interpreting Short-Term Memory STM Training (WBH)
GU, Yikui.
2006. Anticipation as a Strategy in Simultaneous Interpreting. M.A.
thesis, School of Interpreting & Translation Studies, Guangdong University
of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: This paper is an attempt to examine the role of anticipation
as a strategy in simultaneous interpreting. It is largely based on a
theoretical framework that integrates ideas from Chernov’ probabilistic
prediction model, Gile’s effort model, and the relevance theory. These theories
serve to prove the possibility of anticipation in SI and answer the question
why this strategy is desired by interpreters. Building on the basis of the
theoretical framework, the author then ventures to suggest a tentative process
model of anticipation, which is supported by the underlying mechanism of the
effort model. Moreover, the author also seeks to identify the specific role of
anticipation in SI from Chinese to English, i.e., how do interpreters cope with
specific difficulties occurring in C-E simultaneous interpretation by employing
the strategy of anticipation. In order to do so, an observational study is
carried out, in which the simultaneous interpretation of one of the
Key words: simultaneous interpreting (SI); anticipation; strategy;
process model (WBH)
GUO, Yun.
* Abstract: This thesis integrates simultaneous interpreting (SI) with
Second Language Acquisition (
Key words: Simultaneous Interpreting, Communication Strategies,
Communication (WBH)
HE, Lingmin. 2007.
On the Role of Filled Pauses in Quality Assessment of C-E Consecutive
Interpreting. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting & Translation
Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract： Consecutive interpreting (CI) has long been taken as
a complicated event for its multi-task nature. Therefore, according to Effort
Models, interpreters, even professional ones, may get deficient in energy
arising from problem triggers that an interpretation task may entail. In
consequence, speech errors are unavoidable during interpreters’ performing of
the challenging work of interpretation, especially filled pauses (FPs), which
is one kind of speech errors typical in CI. However, on the other hand, as CI
is a vital channel of communication, it should be conducted in conformity with
communication principles so as to effectively bridge the gap among
communicators who are from different speech communities. In such circumstances,
whether FPs affect listeners’ comprehension becomes the concern of this thesis.
To probe into this field, the author made an observational study to explore the
role of filled pauses in listeners’ evaluation of CI quality in terms of the
criteria of “faithfulness”, “fluency” and “speediness”. The materials selected
for this study are three extracts of C-E CI, with the similar setting, press
conferences held by the State Council Information Office in 2004 and 2005, and
yet covering a different issue from one another. Most importantly, the three
passages contain distinctly different levels of filled pauses. This thesis
leads to three findings. First, FPs in CI function more as noise than as a
facilitator in the communication. Second, although listeners show appreciation
for the interpreters’ stressfulness in the interpreting task, they hope FPs resulting
from the challenges to be lessened to the least possible extent, since they
always hamper listeners' comprehension of the interpretation. Third, as FPs are
always associated with delay and tardiness, they have an effect on listeners'
subjective assessment of "faithfulness" in CI. These findings
indicate that the listeners consider FPs mainly as a major dysfluency marker,
resulting in a negative effect on their assessment of CI, and are explicable in
the light of Effort Models as well as Communication Theory reviewed in the
thesis.
Key words: Effort Models; filled pauses; CI; quality assessment;
communication (WBH)
HU, Bing.
2006. On Anticipation in Simultaneous Interpreting. M.A.
thesis, School of Interpreting & Translation Studies, Guangdong University
of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: This paper aims at an empirical study on the anticipation in
Simultaneous Interpreting and the related phenomena and their theoretical
explanation. SI is always regarded as the most difficult interpreting task by
many theorists all across the world. In order to accomplish the highly
demanding task, the interpreters have to make full use of strategies to lessen
the burden imposed by the difficulties they encounter in interpreting. One of
those strategies is anticipation, or the anticipatory mechanism inherent with
the human brain. Since SI process is a highly complex one, in this paper, many
theoretical schools of thought are applied to explaining this highly complex
process of anticipation just as Robin Setton does. Those theories include the
Relevance Theory, Halliday’s insights about intertextuality, Chernov’s
Probability and Predict Model, and etc. The strategy of anticipation saves the
processing effort needed. In this paper, the real conference simultaneous
interpreting material has been analyzed on the basis of certain theoretical
approach, which indicates that owing to the certain differences, either
syntactic or discoursal between the specific language pair which is English and
Chinese, there are mostly frequently anticipated linguistic parts. This paper
responds to the issues under the research and is explaining as many details as
possible.
Key words: Anticipation, Simultaneous Interpreting (WBH)
LI, Jing.
* Abstract：This paper examines the phenomenon of sense loss in
the English to Chinese interpretation for the EMBA courses delivered in
Key words: (linguistic) adaptability, choice (-making), sense loss,
interpretation (WBH)
OUYANG, Qianhua.
2006. Schema Theory Guided Designing of Reading Part in Interpreting
Coursebook. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting & Translation
Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: This paper attempts to apply some of the basic notions and
typical methods of schema theory to the designing of reading material in
interpretation coursebook, and to prove that the specially designed reading
part can affect the background accumulation pattern of student interpreters and
help them to better utilize the positive effect of background in interpreting
process to enhance their performance. The paper starts with reviewing relevant
cognitive research on interpreting process and studies on schema theory to
probe the heavy cognitive load interpreter suffers during information
processing and how background knowledge could relieve the cognitive load to
enhance interpreting performance based on the theoretical exploration of
schemata storage, background information accumulation and activation of
schemata in the interpreting process. The special features of Chinese students
bilingualism and the hence brought differentiation in their interpreting
process are also been counted as important factors in the analysis. As
background information is put into play in the interpreting process by the
activation of schemata, while the reading part in interpreting coursebook is
among the means of background information accumulation and will significantly
affect the accumulation pattern of students, the paper will propose a set of
methods of designing the reading part in interpreting coursebook in light of
the schema theory. Previous researches in the schema theory applied EFL reading
comprehension teaching will be referred to in the devising of the reading part
designing proposal. A self-complete questionnaire survey was conducted to
demonstrate the possible effect of reading part in interpreting coursebook on
the students’ background information accumulation pattern. A set of two
experiments was carried out to test the effectiveness of the schema theory
based design of reading material.
Key words: schema theory; background knowledge; interpreting process;
reading part of interpreting coursebook (WBH)
QI, Ying.
2007. On the Omission in Simultaneous Interpreting from the Perspective of
Cooperative Principle. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting &
Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: This dissertation is an attempt to study the phenomenon of
omission in SI from the pragmatics perspective. The previous studies on
omission are lexical-semantic based and disregard for functional and pragmatics
considerations. So there is no surprise that most of these researches only come
to one conclusion about the impact of omission --- “information loss”.
Interpreting, as a communicative process, should comply with certain rules. The
author has classified omissions into four categories according to Grice’s
Cooperative Principle and made an in-depth study on the impact of these
omissions on SI quality. Based on these explorations, the author has proposed
her criterion in assessing omission in SI: as long as the reproduction could
still serve for the current purposes of the exchange, omissions occurring in
the interpreting process are acceptable.
Key words: simultaneous interpreting, omission, Cooperative Principle (WBH)
QIAN, Fang.
2007. Evaluation of Faithfulness in Interpreting from the Perspective of
Schema Theory. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting &
Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: Interpreting and interpreting research has gained increasing
attention and studies from scholars in different disciplines. Based on schema
theory which is widely used in foreign language comprehension and listening,
the current study intends to probe into the evaluation of faithfulness as an
interpreting quality criterion and come up with a comprehensive schema-based
assessment mode to evaluate interpreting quality parameters. The thesis
consists of five parts. The first part is a brief introduction to the present
study. The second part is a general review of literature on interpreting
quality criteria research, specifically on the core in interpreting quality
faithfulness, which is followed by the author’s summary of the achievements and
limitations of previous studies. The third part serves as the theoretical
framework of the thesis in which the author analyzes in details the
relationship between evaluating faithfulness in interpreting and schema theory
based on an introduction of basic notions in schema theory. The fourth part
describes a comprehensive assessment mode containing four methods either
qualitative or quantitative, with exemplified illustration provided in
quantitative method. The final part makes a conclusion of the study and
suggests that attention in further research can be given to the sub-branch in
interpreting studies from multidisciplinary approaches.
Key words: faithfulness, interpreting quality assessment, schema, schema
theory (WBH)
SONG, Chen.
* Abstract: Vagueness is one of the constitutive properties of natural
language. It is embodied in several most efficiently used aspects of natural
language as phonetics, semantic, syntax, pragmatic , etc. Linguistic
philosophers have pointed out that vagueness is neither a marginal nor a
problematic phenomenon. On the opposite side, it is playing an essential and
crucial role just as precise language does in everyday communication. It
emerges during the process of understanding for both the speakers and the
interpreters; the process of responding to them by the other party of
communication as well as the process of reproducing out the vague meaning by
interpreter. It will undoubtedly bring up some problems of indeterminacy to
interpreter when dealing with them during communication. People engaged in the
communication as well as the interpreter will naturally or internally apply for
some pragmatic strategies such as politeness principles, relative theory … to
cope with these problems in order to fulfill their own communicative goal,
promoting the smooth running of communication and vice versa. However, a
precise interpretation or a precise reproduction is just the utmost object for
us to strive for. As a matter of fact, there is nearly no absolutely precise
interpretation or reproduction. Interpreters can only work out relatively
precise interpretations or reproductions. Therefore, the analysis on vagueness
of consecutive interpreting is quite necessary for both theorists and
interpreters. As we know, Pragmatics is a subject, mainly focusing on exploring
the application and understanding of language, which can well explain the
feature of consecutive interpreting--- “dynamic communication”. Herein, analysis
consecutive interpreting from pragmatic perspective is not only efficient but
also effective.
Key words: vagueness; consecutive interpreting; pragmatic (WBH)
Tomczyk, Marta.
2007. The Effect of Directionality on
Omissions in Simultaneous Interpreting. MA thesis,
Abstract
* There is hardly another question that triggers as
heated a debate among interpreters worldwide as that related to directionality
and the associated issues of whether preference should be given to interpreting
into one’s A or B language and whether the interpreting process is determined
by the direction of interpreting.
The main aim of the thesis was to investigate the
effect of directionality on omissions in simultaneous interpreting by analysing
the performance of student interpreters in terms of the amount of omitted
material and frequency of occurrence of different omission types.
The thesis is divided into three chapters. Chapter 1
focuses on theoretical considerations related to simultaneous interpreting and
directionality. It discusses the reality on the interpreting market and deals
with the problematic issue of evaluation of an interpreting performance.
Chapter 2 constitutes a short critical discussion of the existing empirical
research on directionality and presents two groups of experiments: those
supporting interpretation from one’s non-dominant (B) into the dominant (A)
language and those favouring interpretation in the opposite direction. Chapter
3 reports on the author’s own experimental study focused on the influence of
directionality on omissions in simultaneous interpreting. The material analysed
includes a corpus of 16 interpretations in each direction, performed by 16
advanced interpreting students having Polish as their A language and English as
their B language. (MB)
WANG, Lina.
2007. Nexus and Parsing in English-Chinese Simultaneous Interpreting (SI). M.A.
thesis, School of Interpreting & Translation Studies, Guangdong University
of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: SI, as a kind of advanced bilingual activity, is highly
complex, or even seemingly mysterious to laymen. Yet it has a handful of basic
rules to follow, among which syntactic linearity is the most fundamental one,
which demands parsing or segmenting of the source language. Thus parsing
constitutes one of the most important tactics in SI. Currently there are some
theories on parsing both at home and abroad; reading through them, the author
finds that no consensus has yet been arrived among theorists on how to do
parsing in SI. This dissertation, through analyzing units of parsing in the
case study, endeavors to explore rules of parsing in English-Chinese SI. The
author first tentatively proposes a hypothesis – there is a correlation between
nexuses and units of parsing in English-Chinese SI. Then in light of nexus
theory, the hypothesis is testified with an observational study, which is
conducted with the transcriptions of the authentic SI for President Bush's 2006
State of
Key words: English-Chinese SI; nexus; parsing (WBH)
WANG, Liuqi.
2007. The Effect of L2 Proficiency on Omission Pattern In English – Chinese
Consecutive Interpreting. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting
& Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: This paper reports on the study of the omission in oral
interpreting by the student interpreters. The aim is to find how the L2
proficiency affects the interpreting performance. It tries to answer the
following questions: 1) By what factors and in what ways are the omissions in
English to Chinese (E-C) consecutive interpreting (CI) affected? 2) Are there
any divergences concerning the cause of erroneous omissions and strategic
omissions? If yes, what is the possible cause? 3) What are the interrelations
between L2 proficiency and omission patterns? 4) How could the interrelations
between L2 proficiency and omission patterns reveal the internal mechanism and
the processing in E-C CI? First, six types of omissions were identified before
the observation. Two participants, who were both the second-year post graduate
students majoring in Conference Interpreting, undertook a recorded repetition
test and a recorded interpreting task, for the author's analysis of omission
performance in E-C consecutive interpreting. After that, the effects of
participants' proficiency levels on omission types and interpreting performance
were investigated by a questionnaire. The analysis of the collected data yields
the following major findings: 1) The majority of the omissions are the
erroneous omissions, regardless of the L2 proficiency; 2) the higher L2
proficiency one has, the fewer erroneous omissions are observed; 3) the higher
L2 proficiency does not necessarily lead to the more strategic omissions; 4)
the higher L2 proficiency one has, the more information will be added in the
production phase. The findings of this study reveal that the L2 proficiency
imposes a certain degree of impact on omissions in E-C CI in terms of type and
amount. Therefore, these findings challenge the prevalent belief that the
higher L2 proficiency will surely lead to fewer omissions. Finally, a tentative
model of omission patterns in relation to L2 proficiency is put forward to
describe how strategic and erroneous omissions occur in E-C CI.
Key words: L2 proficiency, omission patterns, consecutive interpreting,
interpreting process (WBH)
WANG, Ying.
2006. The Effect of Sight Translation Exercise on Simultaneous Interpreting
Training. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting & Translation
Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: Sight translation (ST) exercise has long been an important
part of simultaneous interpreting (SI) training. Most SI training programs
worldwide, if not all of them, include an ST exercise section, which usually
takes up a considerable proportion of time of the program. However, unlike
other exercises in interpreting training, such as note-taking and shadowing,
which have received extensive attention in the academic world, ST remains
somehow ignored by researchers on interpreting studies. Being interested in ST
exercise, the author conducts an empirical research to find out in what way the
exercise can help SI trainees with their SI performance and also the
limitations of the exercise. The author first turns to Gile’s Effort Models to
find out similarities and differences between SI and ST. Comparison and
contrast show that ST and SI share quite a lot in the production component and
thus ST exercise should be most likely to make contribution in this aspect.
Linguistic theories on language production in normal communication and also
theories on production in SI are then discussed to further establish the effect
of ST exercise on improving SI trainees’ performance by enhancing their
proficiency at production. To test results drawn from her theoretical analysis,
the author conducts an experiment, in which a training program is carried out
and tests are given. Subjects taking part in the experiment are tested twice on
SI, number recall and phrase interpreting, before and after the ST training
program, and the results are compared and analyzed with SPSS. Analysis of the
data shows that ST exercise helps the trainees a lot in their C-E SI but very
little in their E-C SI. The result just partly supports conclusions based on
theoretical analysis. The improved C-E SI performance of the subjects seems to
be largely attributed to their enhanced proficiency at production after the
training and that their E-C SI performance remains basically the same seems due
to their inadequate listening comprehension to English, with which ST exercise
can basically do nothing to help. However, the author thinks there are still
possibilities that ST exercise can help SI beginner with their E-C
interpreting, since the result does not go against ST exercise’s effect on
enhancing the trainees’ proficiency at production and the listening
comprehension of trainees in formal SI training programs should be better. For
a more definite answer, the author believes further research is
needed.
Key words: Sight translation exercise, simultaneous interpreting,
production in simultaneous interpreting (WBH)
WANG, Ying.
2007. Auditory Perception Model in Inference of C-E Conference Interpreting. M.A.
thesis, School of Interpreting & Translation Studies, Guangdong University
of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: Auditory perception ability is one of the most important
factors affecting information comprehension of conference interpreters. This
paper is to testify the importance of auditory perception ability in C-E
conference interpreting based on A. W. Ellis and A. W. Young’s auditory
perception model. Due to the structural characteristics of Chinese, it differs
far from English from the perspective of logic and cohesion. In order to
achieve coherence in target language – English, interpreters have to use their
auditory perception system to do proper inference. The paper starts with
reviewing study on neurocognitive linguistics, speech / auditory perception,
and relevant cognitive research on interpreting process. In chapter 3, it
analyzes the psychological process of conference interpreting, especially the
auditory perception process. By doing this, the paper attempts to find out
auditory perception difficulties that interpreters encounter during the
conferences. Finally, suggestion on ways to improve interpreters’ auditory
perception ability is offered.
Key words: auditory perception model；C-E conference interpreting；inference (WBH)
YANG, Xuan.
2006. The Effectiveness of Symbols and Abbreviations in Note-taking of
Consecutive Interpreting. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting
& Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: This is an attempted study on the effectiveness of symbols
and abbreviations in note-taking of consecutive interpreting. While symbols and
abbreviations are not regarded as an important part of the teaching plans and
are seldom mentioned in the higher learning institutions, they turn out to be a
selling point of various specialized interpreting training institutions. Such a
contrast is of great interest to the author who has received training from both
parties and tasted the benefit from the employment of symbols and
abbreviations. So the author set out to study their effect in the improvement
of CI quality. Daniel Gile’s Effort Model is introduced as a theoretical
framework to justify the desirable role of symbols and abbreviations. To
further explain the effectiveness of them, an explanatory experiment is
designed and conducted. In the experiment, twenty-two fresh learners in
interpreting are divided into control and experimental groups and both receive
a two-month interpreting training course. Symbols and abbreviations become the
highlight of teaching plans for the experimental group yet are not included in
those for the control one. Both pretest and posttest are held. Final scores are
given on following four aspects respectively – clause recall, key word
retrieval, dysfluency markers and speed rate. Test results show that the
experimental group gain significantly greater progress than the control group
in terms of clause recall and speed rate. That is to say, symbols and
abbreviations really contribute to completeness and speediness of CI quality.
Though score difference in the other two parameters which reflect accuracy and
fluency is not significant enough, if sufficient time for training is
available, it is still possible that the experimental group can get an upper
hand over the control one.
Key words: symbols, abbreviations, note-taking, Effort Model (WBH)
ZHANG, Xin.
2007. The Effect of Productive Vocabulary Ability on the Word Accuracy in
C-E Consecutive Interpreting. M.A. thesis, School of
Interpreting & Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign
Studies.
* Abstract: Based on the
theoretical foundations of propositional analysis of semantic content and
Gravitational Model of Linguistic Availability, the present study intended to
investigate the effect of productive vocabulary ability on word-accuracy in C-E
CI, and the possible explanations. The author first reviewed the effect of L2
proficiency on interpreting performance, then, focused on the studies of
word-accuracy in interpreting, on the basis of which formed the framework of
the present study. In addition, the author proposed the specific research
questions. To answer these questions, the author conducted an in-depth
observation of a corpus consisting of consecutive interpretation by 9 student
interpreters for the beginning part of Premier Wen Jiabao’ s Press Conference
in 2006. Analysis of the corpus yielded the following major findings: First,
there exists positive correlation between productive vocabulary ability and
word-accuracy, that is, the higher the productive vocabulary ability, the more
accurate the output is during an interpreting task; Second, characteristics of
the errors of different groups in word-accuracy in C-E CI is that the most
occurred errors are those most relevant words, specific phrases and expressions
in interpreting. Finally, regarding factors contributing to the formation of
this phenomenon, the characteristics of interpreting, linguistic availability
together with the retrieval of words are identified as the essential factors.
Apart from these conclusions, the author also put forward several constructive
recommendations for future interpreting training.
Key words: productive
vocabulary ability, consecutive interpreting, word accuracy, interpreting
assessment (WBH)
ZHUANG, Lina.
2007. The Effect of Topic Familiarity on Quality and Strategy Use of Long
Sentence Interpretation in E-C CI. M.A. thesis, School of Interpreting
& Translation Studies, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.
* Abstract: It is the aim of the present thesis to explore the effect of
topic familiarity on quality and strategy use of long sentence interpretation
in English-Chinese consecutive interpretation. The author first reviewed
studies on schema and schema theory, then studies on the quality of consecutive
interpretation and previous related studies, on the basis of which the
theoretical framework for the present study was proposed and specific research
questions were raised. An experiment was carried out in order to answer the
research questions. 8 subjects majoring in conference interpreting in
Key words: topic familiarity,
interpretation quality, strategy use, schema theory, consecutive interpretation (WBH)
DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS
Al-Zahran, Aladdin. 2007. The
Consecutive Conference Interpreter As Intercultural Mediator: A
Cognitive-Pragmatic Approach to the Interpreter’s Role. Unpublished PhD
thesis. The University of
* Abstract: This thesis is an
empirical and interdisciplinary investigation into the consecutive conference
interpreter’s (CCIr) role as intercultural mediator.
It seeks to
determine whether there is a case for intercultural mediation in conference
interpreting despite the greater degree of cultural transparency that
characterises discourse in conference interpreting situations (CISs) when
compared with other settings such as community and/or court interpreting. It
also proposes an account of the CCIr’s role as intercultural mediator as an alternative
to other accounts of the interpreter’s role in the literature on conference
interpreting because those accounts do not explain clearly the CCIr’s role or
are in conflict with very well-established concepts and principles associated
with translation/interpreting such as faithfulness, accuracy, neutrality or
accessibility. The account of the CCIr’s role as intercultural mediator is
derived from the principles of a theoretical framework that draws on the
findings of the theory of sense (Seleskovitch and Lederer 1995) and Sperber and
Wilson’s (1986; 1995) relevance theory of communication (RT). The account
provides the basis for formulating a clearer definition of the concept of
intercultural mediation in the context of consecutive conference interpreting
(CCI).
Analyses of two
types of data underpin the investigation: data from authentic examples from
interpreters’ actual performance and data from 295 responses to a worldwide
survey of professional conference interpreters conducted by this researcher for
use in this thesis.
Results of both
analyses confirm the case for intercultural mediation in CISs and the validity
of the proposed account of the CCIr’s role as intercultural mediator though
situationality has been found to play an important role in the extent to which
intercultural mediation is needed. Results also shed light on CCIrs’ use of
cultural mediation procedures and the role of interpreters’ professional
status, experience and language direction on their ability/willingness to
perform intercultural mediation. (Al-Zahran, Aladdin)
Takeda, Kayoko. 2007. Sociopolitical
Aspects of Interpreting at the International Military Tribunal for the
* The author teaches interpreting at Monterey
Institute of International Studies where she heads the Japanese section. This
dissertation was prepared at Universitat Rovira I Virgili in
Torikai, Kumiko. 2006. Diplomatic
Interpreters in the Post-World War II Japan: Voices of the Invisible Presence
in Foreign Relations. Doctoral dissertation,
* A fascinating bibliographical account of the professional
life, background, attitudes and ideas about interpreting of five very
well-known pioneers of interpreting in
BOOKS AND
UNPUBLISHED PROCEEDINGS
Albl-Mikasa, Michaela. 2007. Notationsprache
und Notizentext. Ein kognitiv-linguistisches Modell für das Konsekutivdolmetschen.
Tübingen: Narr.
* In this book, the author analyzes note-taking
in consecutive from the cognitive viewpoint. In her theoretical discussion, she
suggests that rather than as a technique, note-taking should be viewed as an
interpretation-specific text production process and considers both linguistic
and cognitive tools relevant for its study. Like Setton, she makes use of
relevance theory and of the concept of mental models and refers to the
reduction process from speech to notes and to the subsequent expansion process
from notes to speech. She further argues, inter alia, that syntactic structures
of source speeches are reflected in the note-taking process and that the principle
of maximum economy in note-taking is not necessarily the best. This thorough
reflection which challenges some traditional ideas certainly deserves a full
review in a journal. DG
CAI, Xiaohong. 2006. Koǔ yì píng gū
[Interpretation and evaluation].
* Mixed content. Overviews of reflection and research about interpreting
assessment in China and overseas, a discussion of various quality parameters,
of aptitudes and skills required from interpreters, examples of forms for
quality expectation surveys, information about accreditation systems, advice
for student assessment, examples of speeches used for exams in Chinese, English
and French, information about contracts for conference interpreting, text of an
agreement between AIIC and international organizations…. Much of the
information will probably be useful to Chinese instructors asked to teach
interpreting without having previous experience of conference interpreting and
of the conference interpreting market.
Collados Aís, Ángela, E. Macarena Prada Macías, Elisabeth
Stévaux & Olalla García Becerra (eds). 2007. La evaluación de la
calidad en interpretación simultánea: parámetros de incidencia.
* A unique publication in the field of TS: this
collective volume is a report on empirical investigations on various aspects of
interpreting quality assessment by members of a team, this team being composed
of colleagues from various Spanish universities working around Á. Collados Aís.
A remarkable example of teamwork, with a very coherent way of working on
quality with questionnaires about individual quality parameters before and
after sensitization and a comparison of actual evaluation of a control video and
a video where individual parameters were manipulated.
Results suggest
strongly that weaknesses in individual parameters of form have a marked effect
on overall quality perception and that the users’ mental representation of
their priorities in interpreting quality are not quite in line with their
actual perception of quality. Results also suggest that users find it difficult
to identify conceptually and perhaps perception-wise individual parameters,
meaning that in expectation surveys, it might be more appropriate to revert to
more holistic categories than the ones used in this set of investigations.
Again, the work done by the team is remarkable
in many ways, perhaps a model of the kind. Each central chapter (besides the
introductory and concluding chapters) reports work on a specific parameter,
starts with a review of relevant theoretical and empirical work and goes on to
report on its own procedure and results. The book thus covers much ground in an
interdisciplinary, enriching way. Two weaknesses should be corrected if the
book is to be translated into other languages as I think it deserves to be so
as to be read by scholars who do not understand Spanish: firstly, the is not quite clear about the
precise modalities of the sensitization procedure – contextualicazión de parámetros; secondly, it does not give details about the actual process by which individual
parameters were manipulated and about the extent of manipulation.
Chapters:
- Collados Aís, Ángela. Investigación sobre evaluación de la calidad en interpretación simultánea: procesos metodológicos. 1-16.
* In this chapter, the methodology followed in all individual
investigations is explained.
- Stévaux, Elisabeth. La incidencia del parámetro acento. 17-35. (accent)
- Iglesias Fernández, Emilia.
La incidencia del parámetro agrabilidad de la voz. 37-51. (pleasant voice or
not)
- Pradas Macías, Esperanza Macarena.
La incidencia del parámetro fluídez. 53-70. (fluency)
- Jiménez Ivars, Amparo. La incidencia del parámetro cohesión lógica. 71-87. (logical cohesión)
- Fernández Sánchez, María Manuela, Ángela Collados Aís,
Marie-Louise Nobs, Esperanza Macarena Pradas Macías, Elisabeth Stévaux. La incidencia del parámetro transmisión correcta del discurso original.
89-104. (correct rendering of the source speech)
- Pradas Macías, Esperanza Macarena Pradas Macías, Ángela Collados Aís, María
Manuela Fernández Sánchez. La
incidencia del parámetro transmisión completa del discurso original. 105-122. (full rendition of the source speech)
- García de Quesada, Mercedes. La incidencia del parámetro
terminología. 123-140. (terminology)
- Pérez-Luzardo Díaz, Jessica. La incidencia del parámetro estilo. 141-157 (style)
- Collados Aís, Ángela. La incidencia del parámetro entonación. 159-174. (intonation)
* Note that interestingly, in this replication of the experiment with the
same videos, the author did not find the same results as in her dissertation.
More monotonous intonation did not seem to affect significantly user
assessment. Food for thought.
- Blasco Mayor, María Jesús & Olalla García
Becerra. La incidencia del parámetro dicción. 175-194. (diction)
- Jiménez Ivars, Amparo, Olalla García Becerra, Elisabeth Stévaux & María Jesús Blasco
Mayor. La incidencia del parámetro grammaticalidad. 195-212.
(grammaticality)
- Collados Aís, Ángela, Esperanza Macarena Pradas Macías, Elisabeth Stévaux & Olalla
García Becerra. La evaluación de la investigación. 213-224. (overall
discussion of the investigations and conclusions)
FENG, Jianzhong. 2007. Kouyi Shili Yu Jiqiao (Interpreters’ Stories, Jokes and Anecdotes).
* An interpreters’ reader written in Chinese, the book
is a collection of 310 practical stories, jokes and anecdotes about
interpreters or would-be interpreters, covering such modes as consecutive and
simultaneous interpreting, and such types as political/diplomatic interpreting,
business interpreting, technical interpreting, liaison interpreting, exhibition
interpreting and sports interpreting. The reader also contains tips for
beginners, experiences of veteran interpreters and personal accounts of
aspirant interpreters having taken certification tests, enrollment tests or
interpreting training.
The book is
composed of 8 chapters:
Chapter 1, with
the intention of guiding novices into the interpreting profession, collects
dozens of stories and accounts written by trainees of various interpreting
training courses both in China and in Europe, personal stories of people having
taken various interpreting certification tests or enrolment tests of the
translation and interpretation schools of prestigious universities, their models
of interpreting training, the first experiences of some beginners as an
interpreter and the practical experiences of some veteran interpreters.
Chapter 2
consists of positive and negative cases of interpreters in their professional
competence, psychological quality, political sensitivity and professional
ethics.
Chapter 3
scrutinizes a large number of cases of misinterpretation arising from
cross-cultural communication.
Chapter 4 is made up of cases of misinterpretation due
to different professional background.
Chapter 5 deals with practical stories about
interferences to interpreters from speakers with accents and from numerical
conversions between the source language and the target language.
Chapter 6 is a collection of the unpleasantness
encountered by interpreters in their work.
Chapter 7 comprises various happy things for
interpreters.
Chapter 8 incorporates other practical stories or
articles that fall outside the previous chapters.
Finally, the book
includes such appendix as domestic and international codes of conduct and
professional ethics for interpreters, tips for various interpretation
accreditation tests in China, training models of prestigious interpretation
schools in China, Roles of Foreign Affairs Interpreters, etc. (FJZ)
* *
*
- Pöchhacker,
Franz. 2007. Interpreter Translator Teaching Research:
Miriam Shlesinger – translation scholar. In Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt Lykke Jakobsen
& Inger M. Mees (eds). 5-22.
* Biographical
note, bibliography
- Mackintosh,
Jennifer. 2007. Conference interpreting as a profession and
how it got that way. In Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt Lykke Jakobsen & Inger M.
Mees (eds). 41-52.
- Setton, Robin.
2007. Staying relevant: Interpreting in the information age. In Pöchhacker,
Franz, Arnt Lykke Jakobsen & Inger M. Mees (eds). 53-72.
* An interesting
paper, in which Setton explains market conditions in
- Harmer, Jacolyn.
2007. Relay interpretation: a preliminary study. In Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt
Lykke Jakobsen & Inger M. Mees (eds). 73-87.
* Draws on a
paper originally written for a course within the framework of the ETI DEA with
4 interpreting students who interpreted a French speech, apparently some
directly and some through relay. It is not clear from the paper who interpreted
what. The author concludes that the factors affecting the direct interpretation
and the relay interpretation did not seem to be the same, but it is not clear
how this conclusion was derived from the evidence.
- Moser-Mercer,
Barbara. 2007. Global cognition: Training a new breed of
interpreter trainers. In Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt Lykke Jakobsen & Inger M.
Mees (eds). 89-101
* Two parts: the
first is a general presentation of the socio-constructivist learning approach,
and the second a comparison of Asian and ‘Western’ students.
- Pym, Anthony.
2007. On Shlesinger’s proposed equalizing universal for interpreting. In
Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt Lykke Jakobsen & Inger M. Mees (eds). 175-190.
* On Shlesinger’s
1989 MA thesis which shows a centralizing effect of the interpreted product vs
the source speech on the continuum between oral and written-like language. Pym
explains this potential ‘universal’ and comments on it.
- Turner, H.
Graham. 2007. Exploring inter-subdisciplinary alignment in interpreting
studies: Sign language interpreting at conferences. In Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt
Lykke Jakobsen & Inger M. Mees (eds). 191-216.
* Report on a
small-scale questionnaire British Sign Language interpreters in
- Jakobsen, Arnt
Lykke, Kristian T.H Jensen & Inger M. Mees. 2007. Comparing
modalities: Idioms as a case in point. In Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt Lykke
Jakobsen & Inger M. Mees (eds). 217-249.
* The authors
studied the processing of 12 English idiomatic expressions occurring in two
different texts which were translated into Danish by five professional
translators working under no time constraint, and sight-translated by five
professional interpreters who had been asked to carry out the task at roughly
the speed at which they would operate in a professional situation. Following
are some of the findings of the experiment:
p.231-2 Each of the translators and each of the
interpreters spent more time processing the sentences with idioms than the
other sentences except for one sentence without an idiom where there were two
complex names with an odd spelling, initials and punctuation marks. Translators
took on average 40% longer to translate such sentences (8% to 110%).
Interpreters took on average 30% longer (21% to 50%).
p. 234 The translators’
priorities in strategic choices were found to be the following: non-cognate
solution, then direct transfer, then paraphrase. Interpreters preferred
paraphrase, then non-cognate solutions, then direct transfer.
p. 235 contrary
to expectations, there were twice as many false cognates in the translators’
than in the interpreters’ renditions.
The hypothesis that the first impulse was for idiom-for-idiom
translation was supported only for translators, not for interpreters. The
investigators did not find more occurrences of direct translation in the
interpreters’ than in the translators’ renditions, nor more false cognates in
the interpreters’ than in the translators’ renditions.
p. 238 Absolute processing time was much shorter for
interpreters, and idioms delayed production in interpreters more than in
translators
p. 238 the range
of individual variation was “huge”
p. 241 The
findings suggest that interpreters are more inclined to accept direct transfer
options than translators.
p.
p.243 Somewhat
surprising… instances of direct transfer took interpreters almost twice as long
to produce as other solution types. Possible explanation: this was a last
resort solution, adopted reluctantly when a better solution was not found.
p. 243 The high
frequency with which interpreters immediately opted for paraphrase solutions
could well be understood as the effect of more systematic cognate avoidance.
p.245 the
findings by Gibbs et al (1989) that processing of non-compositional idioms was
slower… appear to become overridden by stronger, interlingual factors affecting
translators and interpreters…. This suggests that differences discoverable in
monolingual reading and comprehension experiments cannot be simply transferred
to interlingual translation – This comment echoes Setton’s thoughts - see above
(DG)
- Dragsted,
Barbara & Inge Gorm Hansen. 2007. Speaking
your translation: Exploiting synergies between translation and interpreting. In
Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt Lykke Jakobsen & Inger M. Mees (eds). 251-274.
* A political
speech given at the European Union was given to 2 translators who were asked to
translate the first 634 words and sight-translate the next 655 words. Two
interpreters were asked to sight translate the first 635 words and to
simultaneously interpret the rest of the speech. This paper reports on the
sight translation and translation part of the experiment. Gazing data was
collected for both groups. Translog was also used.
Gaze data from interpreters show that they focused only on the paragraph
they are translating, whereas the translators gaze scanned other areas of the
source text as well. Thus, interpreters seem to have a more local reading and
comprehension process than the translators, who adopt a more global strategy.
The interpreters sight-translated dramatically faster than the
translators. There were strikingly fewer pauses of 2 seconds and longer in the
interpreters’ renditions.
There
were fewer hesitations in the oral mode (as opposed to the written mode) in
both translators even though working orally felt unfamiliar to them.
Interpreters turned out to be less literal than translators.
In the sight translation mode, both translators translated more freely
than in the written mode.
Translators did not perform
significantly better in written translation despite the fact that they spent
more time on the task.
- Kurz, Ingrid.
2007. The fictional interpreter. In Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt Lykke Jakobsen
& Inger M. Mees (eds). 277-289.
* An analysis of
and reflection on the way fictional interpreters are portrayed in four works of
fiction.
- Henriksen, Line.
2007. The poetic interpreter and the interpreting poet: Chiasmi of translation.
In Pöchhacker, Franz, Arnt Lykke Jakobsen & Inger M. Mees (eds). 291-302.
* While the
points made on poetry in this paper are not quite clear to me (certainly due my
lack of knowledge in the field), I was interested in the author’s ideas related to cognitive phenomena and
language availability (reference is made to the gravitational model of
linguistic availability), in particular the potential memory traces of previous
words (maintained in a proximal high-availability orbit in the model) which act
as an ‘echo’ and as primers to favour certain linguistic choices in the
interpreter’s following utterances. Such phenomena, which could involve both
source-language words and structures and the interpreter’s own words and
structures, would challenge the idea of full deverbalization between
source-speech perception and target-speech reformulation.
* *
*
Tryuk, Małgorzata (ed.) 2006. Teoria
i dydaktyka przekładu konferencyjnego [Theory and Didactics of Conference
Interpreting].
* The volume contains eight papers (all in Polish).
Except for one paper contributed by the editor herself, the rest are based on
MA theses supervised by the editor at the
Tryuk, Małgorzata. 2007. Przekład
ustny konferencyjny [Conference Interpreting].
* A general but thorough introduction to conference
interpreting, very well grounded in the existing literature. The book consists
of three parts. Part One presents a historical perspective. Part Two discusses
basic theoretical concepts, main directions in research and problems connected
with quality assessment and interpreter training. Part Three is devoted to
interpreting in practice and discusses issues such as norms, professional
associations as well as the influence of new technologies.
REVIEWS
Bartłomiejczyk,
Kaufmann, Francine. 2007. Review of Baigorrí Jalón, Jesús. 2004. De Paris à Nuremberg : Naissance de
l’interprétation de conférence.
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