Viewing China’s Stance In Political Discourse

This paper draws on the combined framework of appraisal theory and‘critical points’to discuss China’s attitude and stance presented in the political discourse.In this paper,we strive to address two research questions:How is China’s stance constructed in interpreting when looking into ’critical points’ through the lens of appraisal theory;and what might have been the factors that affect interpreters’decision-making.Through addressing these two questions,this paper works help trainee interpreters better leverage tactics while interpreting critical points in political discourse.Before we start analyzing the research material,we clarify the definition of ’critical points’ which is used to identify research data in the study.Links between appraisal resources and stances are also established based on the literature review.Therefore,analyzing appraisal resources revealed in critical points can help us identify the exact stances presented by the speaker and the interpreter.In this study,the research data is retrieved from the Chinese-English Interpreting for State Councilor Wang Yi’s Press Conference(2014-2021).In total,78 critical points are labeled in seven hot issues in the past eight years,and appraisal resources revealed in critical points are also identified.By analyzing these critical points through the lens of appraisal theory,we clarify stances taken by the speaker and the interpreter respectively.After comparison,we figure out how China’s stances are constructed through the interpreter’s interpretation of critical points.In general,the speaker and the interpreter share the main standpoints on political issues,partially due to the nature of political discourse and its communicative purpose.Only when referring to the diplomatic relationship like China-US relation and disputed issues concerning the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea,the interpreter shows greater tendency to leverage appraisal resources to register clearer government positions,revealing his/her own manipulation.With raising force and sharpening focus,the interpreter reinforces the government stances towards the China-US relationship and the South China Sea issue,and invokes further dialogue with stakeholders in these issues.Referring to the Peninsula issue,the interpreter is more likely to leverage engagement resources.Because China is acting more like a middle-man and switch-man in this issue,and we need to be in a neutral position to put forward suggestions and advocates.By leveraging expanded engagement,the interpreter can make him/herself aloof from the situation and claim to be neutral.When looking into motivations behind the interpreter’s decision-making,we conclude two factors that can affect the interpreters’ stance-taking behaviors:institutional norms in interpreting and communicative purpose featuring in political discourses.Norms in interpreting determines that institutional interpreters should follow the state’s position and identify with the national ideology.However,the communicative purpose in political settings gives interpreters rights to explicit government’s position or weaken differences.