An Empirical Study Of The Role Of Triadic Interpreter In China

Based on empirical results, the current research is an attempt to explore how triadic interpreting, the most frequently used interpreting type in the world today works, and what role or roles the interpreter as communication facilitator in triadic interaction plays. The motivations behind this research on the one hand are to explore the role of triadic interpreter and encourage more empirical study on this topic, on the other hand are to promote the profile of triadic interpreting and attract more academic interest to this field of study. This thesis is divided into five chapters including an introduction and a conclusion.Chapter One gives an introduction to the research, including the purpose, validity, the methodology adopted in this research, and the structure of this thesis. It points out that the lack of theoretical underpinning of this widely used interpreting type, and the constant concern on the interpreter's role issue, therefore justifies the purpose and validity of this research. Then three research questions are raised as follows:(1) What is triadic interpreting, and how does it work?(2) Is the widely accepted notion of triadic interpreter's role as a conduit accurate and adequate in resolving the interpreting dilemmas?(3) What is the adequate role that the triadic interpreter should play to realize effective communication?Chapter Two provides a fairly comprehensive description of triadic interpreting including its definition, working model, features, its historical development and present status. In order to distinguish triadic interpreting as an independent type of interpreting, the comparison with other types of interpreting are examined in this chapter as well.Chapter Three challenges the traditional view of triadic interpreter's role as a conduit. It answers the second research question by conducting a survey to practicing interpreters about their views on issues of role. Their answers and justifications for their choices are systematically analyzed, which yield evidence that the widely accepted conduit role model is not adequate when dealing with interpreting dilemmas. As such, practicing interpreters are actually appealing for a new role guideline, that is, to be"communication facilitator". Meanwhile, the degree of involvement of interpreters during interpretation is explored in the survey, and analysis shows that it is related mainly to the aim of communication event and interpreters'understanding of fidelity to information in interpreting process.Chapter Four answers the third research question by further examining the role of triadic interpreter as communication facilitator. It introduces the basic concepts of human communication, examining the nature of triadic interpreting as communication, presenting effective communication in triadic interpreting, and finally defining the role of triadic interpreter as communication facilitator instead of conduit, advocate or cultural mediator. It presents the extra challenges that a communication facilitator would face which include more responsibilities, extra abilities to handle role conflict and higher communication competence. A theoretical explanation of the factors which influence the extent of involvement of triadic interpreters is also highlighted in this chapter based on the results of the empirical study.Chapter Five concludes the thesis by summarizing the results of previous chapters and arriving at a further understanding of the role of interpreters in triadic interaction as communication facilitator. It underscores the practical value of this research to practicing interpreters, interpreter educators and researchers, and presents the prospect of the current research so as to inspire and encourage further research in this field.