Coherence And Its Implication In Consecutive Interpretation

The present thesis attempts to propose a theoretical framework of coherence and to study its implication in consecutive interpretation (CI) so as to identify coherence strategies for better performance.Based on the review of coherence research from the semantic, pragmatic and formal aspects respectively, we hold that coherence should be seen as the result of the interaction between meaning, context of situation and form. The form is the way to realize the meaning sequences in order to form a semantic totality. The situation can provide the background information to make the meaning intelligible. When the meaningful form is related to the context of situation, the text functions more efficiently. So coherence is the final total effect of a sense of semantic consistency, the representation of the text in the context of situation, and text well-formedness.CI is a text-based communicating activity, so the essence is the reproduction of coherence in the target text. By applying the coherence theory to the process of CI, we located the coherence-related problems and would like to identify coherence strategies to enhance communicating efficiency in CI. The interpreter should be aware of the interaction between meaning, context of situation and form in the interpreting process so as to achieve coherence. To get the source text meaning, s/he should try to get the linear and global connections of the facts and concepts underlying the text and take down in clear structure the key information. In reproduction s/he should use explication strategy by using proper cohesive means to realize the logical meaning relations and depend on the context to make the text function properly so as to achieve the communicating tasks.Coherence-awareness is very important for the interpreter to achieve fidelity and fluency. Interpreter training with the focus on coherence-related skills or strategies would help improve the students' text reception and production skills.