A Study Of The Impact Of Register On The Performance Of Simultaneous Interpreters (C-E)

Simultaneous interpreting is a common form of conference interpreting. Register is defined as a variant in the practical use of language that is affected by the field, mode and tenor of discourse. As a feature of expression, does register have an impact on the performance of simultaneous interpreters? If it does, in what ways? What are the coping strategies? This study aims at addressing these questions.This paper attempts at an empirical study based on Daniel Gile’s Effort Model and register theories developed by Halliday, Martin Joos and Sun Haiqin.The subjects provide simultaneous interpreting for three recordings, including excerpts from Open Society by George Soros, a speech by Mr. Yi Gang and a lecture by Professor Lang Xianping. Their performance is graded on such measures as accuracy, coherence, technique and grammar. A conclusion is drawn based on quantitative and qualitative analysis:register does have an impact, which can be consciously prepared for and coped with.