precision and fexibiityofexprsood articulation and elocution.And,in thisoithe importancef exposure to different varieties of English spoken and written by native speakers and constant exposure to various relevant publications in Chinese cannot be overemphasized. 3) translator should work untiringly.This is because lack of knowledge of the"subiect matter "dealt with by the original speaker can becomeaseousstumbng-bockreven thecause for.A competent have some knowledge in all the multifarious fields with which he deals.and the level of that knowedge must be adequate for understanding. I BASIC QUALITIES REQUIRED OF THE INTERPRETER 1. Here.it seems pertinent to start with a brief analysis of the different'work situations"conected with translation and interpretation.In the case of translation,except for the most urgent job,if a word or phrase does not come to mind,one may stop to think until one finds it or has chosen some altemnative:if errors of expression occur.one can get them carefully erased and eliminated from a final draft if a paragraph is rather""extremely involved"onecan usually afford the time to ponder over it and to consult reference books,dictionaries,or one's more experienced colleagues.All such "facilities".however,are denied an interpreter at work!Generally speaking.if an interpreter misses a word or two,or if he hears a few words unknown to him,he has to try his best to follow the flow of the original speaker,grasp the latter's idea and put it cross in the.He afford the time totu the matter in his mindagain and this can be said that the main factor which distinguishes interpretation from translation is TIME-too little time at the disposal of a osecutive less time at the disposal of asimutaneous interpreter in the booth. Basic Qualities: a strong sense of duty 2) a good command of the languages involved 3) an"encyclopaedic knowledge" acute hearing In the context of interpretation,an interpreter should be aware that'to hear in interpreting is not merely to know all are being spoke.It is imperative tograsp the"dea"theoriginal while listening.no mater how complex the subject matter.how"unusual"the original speaker's style or accent or intonation might be.An interpreter should be soberly aware that with extremely rare what is clearly heard and grasped can be properly rendered into the target language swallow part of his words.He should moreover see to it that his voice should carry well and be pleasant to hear.In short,he should form thegood habit of speaking distinctly and naturally,and take care never to sound affected. 6) Familiarity with"simultaneous note-takingAgood interpreter must.of necessity,be good at note-taking.He should leam to be able to concentrate on listening to grasp the speaker's"idea"while jotting down a few"key words"in the mean time.usually with each "word(or"sign"or"symbo")representing a"sense groupr a"figure(or a proper name,etc.).And the object of note-taking is mainly to supplement memory efficiency.so as to ensure accuracy in interpreting. Agood memory Two things are usually expected of an interpreter's memory.(A)Itshould store up an exceptionally larg vocabulary(including the relevant specialised "terms")and a great wealth of "relevant important formulations"along with the comresponding correct translation in the target language;(B)it should accurately absorb and retain the idea(the series of ideas just expressed by the speaker.This,too,can be cultivated in an intensive process of practice
precision and flexibility of expression, good articulation and elocution. And, in this connection, the importance of constant exposure to different varieties of English spoken and written by native speakers and constant exposure to various relevant publications in Chinese cannot be overemphasized. 3) Encyclopaedic knowledge, though hardly possible in practice, is a goal towards which the conscientious interpreter or translator should work untiringly. This is because lack of knowledge of the "subject matter " dealt with by the original speaker can become a serious stumbling-block, or even the cause for which an interpreter "gets stuck". A competent interpreter must have some knowledge in all the multifarious fields with which he deals , and the level of that knowledge must be adequate for understanding. III. BASIC QUALITIES REQUIRED OF THE INTERPRETER 1. Here, it seems pertinent to start with a brief analysis of the different "work situations" connected with translation and interpretation. In the case of translation, except for the most urgent job, if a word or phrase does not come to mind, one may stop to think until one finds it or has chosen some alternative; if errors of expression occur, one can get them carefully erased and eliminated from a final draft; if a sentence or a paragraph is rather "subtle" or "extremely involved", one can usually afford the time to ponder over it and to consult reference books, dictionaries, or one's more experienced colleagues. All such "facilities" , however, are denied an interpreter at work! Generally speaking, if an interpreter misses a word or two, or if he hears a few words unknown to him, he has to try his best to follow the flow of the original speaker, grasp the latter's idea and put it across in the target language. He simple cannot afford the time to "turn the matter in his mind again and again". In this sense, it can be said that the main factor which distinguishes interpretation from translation is TIME - too little time at the disposal of a consecutive interpreter, and still less time at the disposal of a simultaneous interpreter in the booth. 2. Basic Qualities: 1) a strong sense of duty 2) a good command of the languages involved 3) an "encyclopaedic knowledge" 4) acute hearing In the context of interpretation, an interpreter should be aware that "to hear" in interpreting is not merely to know all the "words" that are being spoke. It is imperative to grasp the "idea"(or "real meaning") of the original while listening, no mater how complex the subject matter, how "unusual" the original speaker's style or accent or intonation might be. An interpreter should be soberly aware that with extremely rare exceptions only what is clearly heard and grasped can be properly rendered into the target language. 5) A good articulation The interpreter's articulation and elocution should be reasonably good. He should be careful not to swallow part of his words. He should moreover see to it that his voice should carry well and be pleasant to hear. In short, he should form the good habit of speaking distinctly and naturally, and take care never to sound affected. 6) Familiarity with "simultaneous note-taking" A good interpreter must, of necessity, be good at note-taking. He should learn to be able to concentrate on listening to grasp the speaker's "idea" while jotting down a few "key words" in the mean time, usually with each "word"(or "sign", or "symbol") representing a "sense group" or a "figure"(or a proper name, etc.). And the object of note-taking is mainly to supplement memory efficiency, so as to ensure accuracy in interpreting. 7) A good memory Two things are usually expected of an interpreter's memory. (A) It should store up an exceptionally large vocabulary(including the relevant specialised "terms") and a great wealth of "relevant important formulations" along with the corresponding correct translation in the target language; (B) it should accurately absorb and retain the idea(the series of ideas) just expressed by the speaker. This, too, can be cultivated in an intensive process of practice
8) Quick and accurate response This,in the context of interpretation,refers mainly to speediness and accuracy in completing the process of"understanding-transference-speaking"(or otherwise referred to as the process of "listening-transference- the part of the interpreter.Here"racy"is stated side by side with "rule out the tendency of much of a hurry"to do the interpretation on the part of the beginners.Practice proves time and again that "over eagemess"of "a vice which should be avoided in interpreting IV.UNITY OF ACCURACY AND SMOOTHNESS IS OUR GOAL involves a process ofsning-transference-delivery Accurate comprehension(of the original speaker)is always the interpretation. This is Materialism in interpreting.The difficulties of the interpretation may be caused by the speaker's exceptionally rapid speed or peculiar accent or intonation.or those arising from the interpreter's lack of knowledge of the technical details of the subject under discussion.Whatever the difficulties,the interpreter must try his best to follow the flow the original speaker and must not ethe thread of what the original speaker is saying.The interpreter must first of all understand what theoriginal speaker is driving at.In a word.the interpreter must understand()inorder to be understood (by the audience). In theextremely limited time at his disposal,the interpreter that his accurate and intelligible.nthis connection,he must be Dialectical in his approach.He must bear always in mind that it the idea(or meaning)of the original speaker.not merewords"that should be rendered accurately and as smoothly as possibleinto the target language.He must subordinate the "parts"to the "whole",and must not attempt to be"perfect2 in rendering every individual "word"at the expense of what the speaker issaying.this is asthe. Limited by the time at his disposal.and especially in the expected to produced a"Perfect"rendition."f you really try to be"perfect"in rendering every individual word,you end up worse. V.NOTE-TAKING IN INTERPRETATION For many an interpreter.ote-akingis said to be evir.It is regarded as an"i(especially by beginners) because it calls for certain amount of distribution of attention.-and that,at the initial stage of training,might interfere in one's listening.However it is generally accepted as.and,especially in cases where speaker abruptly refers to a long series of figures or a long string of proper names of persons and places,or keeps on speaking for 5 or 10 minutes Note-taking in the course of interpreing has o distinct features 1)The purpose of note-taking in interpreting is to supplement memory efficiency.soas to ensure accuracy in work.An interpreter must realize from the begining that it is always MEMORYn the basis of correct comprehension that plays the major role in ensuring accuracy in interpreting.not note-taking. 2公 The interpreter's notes are essentially individual in character.This is primarily because the interpreter's notes.which are ameans to supplement his intended exclusively for immediate use by the individual interprete concerned. 2.SOME PRACTICAL HINTS write as few words or symbols as possible 29 Better take notes in the target anguage 3) VI.ON THE BASICS OF INTERPRETATION TECHNIQUES
8) Quick and accurate response This, in the context of interpretation, refers mainly to speediness and accuracy in completing the process of "understanding-transference-speaking"(or otherwise referred to as the process of "listening-transferencedelivery") on the part of the interpreter. Here "accuracy" is stated side by side with "speediness" to rule out the tendency of "too much of a hurry" to do the interpretation on the part of the beginners. Practice proves time and again that "over eagerness" of "foolhardiness" is a vice which should be avoided in interpreting. IV. UNITY OF ACCURACY AND SMOOTHNESS IS OUR GOAL 1. Interpretation involves a process of "listening-transference-delivery". 2. Accurate comprehension(of the "idea" or "meaning" of the original speaker) is always the foremost concern in interpretation. This is Materialism in interpreting. The difficulties of the interpretation may be caused by the speaker's exceptionally rapid speed or peculiar accent or intonation, or those arising from the interpreter's lack of knowledge of the technical details of the subject under discussion. Whatever the difficulties, the interpreter must try his best to follow the flow the original speaker and must not "lose the thread of what the original speaker is saying". The interpreter must first of all understand what the original speaker is driving at. In a word, the interpreter must understand(the original speaker) in order to be understood (by the audience). In the extremely limited time at his disposal, the interpreter must see to it that his oral rendition is accurate and intelligible. In this connection, he must be Dialectical in his approach. He must bear always in mind that it the idea(or meaning) of the original speaker, not mere "words", that should be rendered accurately and as smoothly as possible into the target language. He must subordinate the "parts" to the "whole", and must not attempt to be "perfect2 in rendering every individual " word" at the expense of losing the thread of what the speaker is saying, and so on. All this is rightly regarded as the Dialectics of interpreting. Limited by the very little time at his disposal, and especially in the interpreting of complex discourses, an interpreter cannot be expected to produced a "Perfect" rendition. "If you really try to be "perfect" in rendering every individual word, you end up worse". V. NOTE-TAKING IN INTERPRETATION For many an interpreter, "note-taking" is said to be a "necessary evil". It is regarded as an "evil"(especially by beginners) because it calls for certain amount of distribution of attention. - and that, at the initial stage of training, might interfere in one's listening. However, it is generally accepted as being necessary, and indeed essential, especially in cases where the original speaker abruptly refers to a long series of figures or a long string of proper names of persons and places, or keeps on speaking for 5 or 10 minutes. . Note-taking in the course of interpreting has two distinct features. 1) The purpose of note-taking in interpreting is to supplement memory efficiency, so as to ensure accuracy in work. An interpreter must realize from the beginning that it is always MEMORY on the basis of correct comprehension that plays the major role in ensuring accuracy in interpreting, not note-taking. 2) The interpreter's notes are essentially individual in character. This is primarily because the interpreter's notes, which are a means to supplement his memory efficiency, are intended exclusively for immediate use by the individual interpreter concerned. 2. SOME PRACTICAL HINTS 1) write as few words or symbols as possible. 2) Better take notes in the target language. 3) See to it that the notes are logical and legible. VI. ON THE BASICS OF INTERPRETATION TECHNIQUES 1)"Listening"(Listening-Transference)
Listening is extremely important.In terms of "input"what the"original text"is to a translator."listening"is to an interpreter.But there is something more,a great deal more to it than meets the eye.One may be listening for"appreciation"forkilling time"for "answering the other person's questions".etc.But"listening"in the process of interpretation is different:it has to be done in an ACTIVE way. Practice has borne out that training in consecutive interpretation should preferably be conducted in such a way that LISTENING is original speaker's whole"thought process".to understand his real meaning.his basic argument.basic motive.or even the basicthread"of the whole speech being made.With this understanding of the"context",a consecutive interpreter will find a chunk of the(just finished by speaker)must easier.This"frst stepis also referred to as "listening-cum-transference" With sufficient training and practice.an aspirant interpreter will have a sense of gratification to find that"transference"can be automatically done as soon as he has clearly heard and comprehended what the original speaker is saying.He will be able automatically to employ necessary" omission"egation"etc.He will be able to bring into full play his mastery of the two languages and his knowledge of the subject matter involved in interpretation. "Memory(or"Memory supplemented by Note-taking" to absorb and retain in memory the GIST of what the original speaker is saying (to be able to retain,say,15 mins if the original speaker keepson speaking for 15 mins:though the"simultaneous interpreterdoes not have to so).For a competent consecutive nterpreter,this"active memory"is of great important.And we have on more than one occasion emphasized that note-taking is ecessary only to theextent that it serves as an effective means to supplement memory accuracy in work That is why an aspirant interpreter should.as a rule.discourage himself from taking down too many note 3) "Delivery"(or"Speaking) Delivery in consecutive interpretation is in some respects,slightly easier thatthat in"simultaneous interpretation".This is basically logical way.because he has a litte time at his disposal-time which,in fact.is always not available to a"simultaneous interpreter Immediately following the"istening"and"memoryas indicated above.the consecutive interpreter should.as soon as the original through practice,acquired such a practical ability,he can be regarded as having basically mastered the 3 fundamental parts of the "interpretation techniques"".Thereafter,the has to improve on that,o elaborate that by adding "nuances".by polishing things up,by using the right variation of voice-by striving to achieve a higher degree of the unity of accuracy and smoothess.This may sound fairly simple,yet for a interpreter this means a never ending)process of learning in the course of PRACTICE. Supplementary exercises: Interpretation Ex.1 Shanghai keen to build Disney park:awaiting nod from central government yesterday
Listening is extremely important. In terms of "input", what the "original text" is to a translator, "listening" is to an interpreter. But there is something more, a great deal more to it than meets the eye. One may be listening for " appreciation ", for " killing time", for "answering the other person's questions", etc. But "listening" in the process of interpretation is different; it has to be done in an ACTIVE way. Practice has borne out that training in consecutive interpretation should preferably be conducted in such a way that LISTENING is integrated with "analysing, understanding, transference". In other words, while listening, the aspirant interpreter has to analyse the original speaker's whole "thought process", to understand his real meaning, his basic argument, basic motive, or even the basic "thread" of the whole speech being made. With this understanding of the "context", a consecutive interpreter will find his "transference" of a chunk of the original speech(just finished by the original speaker) must easier. This "first step" is also referred to as "listening-cum-transference". With sufficient training and practice, an aspirant interpreter will have a sense of gratification to find that " transference" can be automatically done as soon as he has clearly heard and comprehended what the original speaker is saying. He will be able automatically to employ in "transference" such necessary specific "techniques" as "conversion", "inversion", "amplification", "omission", "negation", etc. He will be able to bring into full play his mastery of the two languages and his knowledge of the subject matter involved in interpretation. 2) "Memory"(or "Memory supplemented by Note-taking") Immediately following the "first step" of "listening-cum-comprehension" as stated above, the consecutive interpreter should be able to absorb and retain in memory the GIST of what the original speaker is saying (to be able to retain, say, 15 mins if the original speaker keeps on speaking for 15 mins; though the "simultaneous interpreter" does not have to so). For a competent consecutive interpreter, this "active memory" is of great important. And we have on more than one occasion emphasized that note-taking is necessary only to the extent that it serves as an effective means to supplement memory efficiency, so as to ensure accuracy in work. That is why an aspirant interpreter should, as a rule, discourage himself from taking down too many notes. 3) "Delivery" (or "Speaking") Delivery in consecutive interpretation is in some respects, slightly easier that that in "simultaneous interpretation". This is basically because "consecutive interpretation" gives the interpreter a chance to marshal his thoughts and to approach the interpreting in a logical way; because he has a little time at his disposal-time which, in fact, is always not available to a "simultaneous interpreter". Immediately following the "listening" and "memory" as indicated above, the consecutive interpreter should, as soon as the original speaker finishes a part of his speech, start giving the rendition distinctly and in a logical way in the "target language". When he has, through practice, acquired such a practical ability, he can be regarded as having basically mastered the 3 fundamental parts of the "BASICS of interpretation techniques" in "consecutive". Thereafter, the interpreter just has to improve on that, to elaborate that by adding "nuances", by polishing things up, by using the right variation of voice - by striving to achieve a higher degree of the unity of accuracy and smoothness. This may sound fairly simple, yet for a conscientious interpreter this means a continuing(or, neverending) process of learning in the course of PRACTICE. Supplementary exercises: Interpretation Ex.1 Shanghai keen to build Disney park; awaiting nod from central government Shanghai is preparing to build a Disneyland theme park and is awaiting central government approval, the city’s mayor told the press yesterday
Hisstatement is the first official from a top city leader following2 yersofspecuiothat theastemmetropolis is in alks Walt Disney to bulld a theme park. We have been hoping to(build the Disney theme park)for quiteaong time.Shanghai has the right conditions.l the preparatory work is in the pipeline."said Han Zheng.who is attending the ongoing People's Congress in Beijing. fthe prjapproveditillbe Diseysn teme parkin China aerng Kong DisneyandopnednSeptember he didn't start becausewe are wating the State Council (China's cabine)to make the decision.The State Council declined to release the progress of its review. Ex.2 "equality in jobs still a serious issue" At 46,she was New China's first female govemor. At 53.she was minister of chemical industry. Now,as president of the All-China Women's Federation and vice-chair-woman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress,keepsa close eyeon the year-to year headway(proges)that women across China are making to attain equal status with men in all walks of life. As the nation celebrates the Women's Day today.inequality in employment is still a serious issue,"Gu said,citing the Labor Law that employers should not raise the bar when womenor reject of gender. think the fundamental cause of gender discrimnion is the incorrect idea offmae inferiortywhich is ingrained in many w Gu admitted that it is a long and arduous task that requires input and co-ordination from all govemment agencies:The labor department should m the market:the legal deparmnt should provide aid that to defend their rights:and unions.the Communist Youth League and the women's federation should get involved in protecting women and their domestic said that is the best preventive measure becaus of the difficultyof obtaining criminal evidence. "Our litigation()system does not sufficiently cover cases of domestic violence and sexual harassment.and we also need to Unit 2 Interpreting Conversations Objectives: Familiarity with the interpretation of conversations,being able to interpret similar conversations Preparation: Familiarity with the vocabulary and sentences usually used in the related and similar conversations Procedures: Warming-up:vocabulary preparations 2 Introducing the background of the conversations 3) Practice interpreting conversations in pairs
His statement is the first official response from a top city leader following 2 years of speculation that the eastern metropolis is in talks with entertainment giant Walt Disney to build a theme park. "We have been hoping to (build the Disney theme park) for quite a long time. Shanghai has the right conditions.all the preparatory work is in the pipeline," said Han Zheng, who is attending the ongoing People’s Congress in Beijing. If the project is approved, it will be Disney’s second theme park in China after Hong Kong Disneyland opened in September. Han said he didn’t know when construction would start because "we are waiting the State Council (China’s cabinet) to make the decision." The State Council declined to release the progress of its review. Ex. 2 "Inequality in jobs still a serious issue" At 46, she was New China’s first female governor. At 53, she was minister of chemical industry. Now, as president of the All-China Women’s Federation and vice-chair-woman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, Gu Xiulian, 69, keeps a close eye on the year-to year headway(progess) that women across China are making to attain equal status with men in all walks of life. As the nation celebrates the Women’s Day today, "inequality in employment is still a serious issue," Gu said, citing the Labor Law that employers should not raise the bar when recruiting women or reject them on grounds of gender. "I think the fundamental cause of gender discrimination is the incorrect idea of ‘female inferiority’ which is ingrained in many people’s minds,"she said. "A new gender culture should be cultivated to increase harmony between the sexes and the government should explore market mechanisms that can promote women’s job prospects." Gu admitted that it is a long and arduous task that requires input and co-ordination from all government agencies: The labor department should monitor the market; the legal department should provide aid that women can use as a weapon to defend their rights; and unions, the Communist Youth League and the women’s federation should get involved in protecting women and their rights to employment. On the issue of domestic violence, Gu said that improving the legal system is the best preventive measure because of the difficulty of obtaining criminal evidence. "Our litigation(诉讼) system does not sufficiently cover cases of domestic violence and sexual harassment, and we also need to study ways to define these offences, and determine penalties," she noted. Unit 2 Interpreting Conversations Objectives: Familiarity with the interpretation of conversations, being able to interpret similar conversations Preparation: Familiarity with the vocabulary and sentences usually used in the related and similar conversations Procedures: 1) Warming-up: vocabulary preparations 2) Introducing the background of the conversations 3) Practice interpreting conversations in pairs