A Study On Sense Loss Phenomenon In English To Chinese Consecutive Interpreting Engaging Linguistic Adaptability

This paper examines the phenomenon of sense loss in the English to Chinese interpretation for the EMBA courses delivered in Oxford University by three Chinese authentic interpreters. We are inspired by Jeff Vershueren in his master piece Understanding Pragmatics which elaborates on the theory of linguistic adaptability. With the explainability of this theoretical foundation, we are able to go further in exploring the reality of sense loss in interpretation.Sense loss is normally considered a kind of deficiency in interpretation. However, it is an unavoidable phenomenon in interpretation. Moreover, as the translation studies have reached a high of sufficient diversity today, we have distinguished pragmatic sense from semantic meaning and specifically identified the "sense" we are discussing involves a variety of ingredients ranging from communicative needs, implicit meaning to the utterer's intention etc in interpretation. As a kind of language use, interpretation is benefiting from sense loss under some circumstances which is fairly explainable with the theory of adaptability.We have selected adequate extracts from the transcription of the real scenario interpretation with necessary annotations. Case studies are carried out on the selected extracts scrutinizing the in-question sense losses from four perspectives, namely contextual correlates, structure, dynamics and salience of the interpreter's mental activity. The study is not only on the product but also on the process of interpretation, not only on the conventionally-accepted negative side of sense loss but also on its positive influence on communication.This research is an attempt to address the fact that sense loss could be a strategy, consciously or unconsciously chosen, by the interpreter in the way of approaching the communicative satisfaction, which is a sign of linguistic adaptability.