Short-Term Memory In Consecutive Interpreting

This study is both theoretical and empirical. As the importance of the STM and its training in CI have not been given due attention by Chinese interpreting researchers and trainers, the author elaborates the significance of the STM from the perspective of cognitive psychology. Mainly based on Gile's Effort Model and the information-processing model, the author endeavors to prove why the STM plays a key role in CI and why the STM training should be put at the very early stage during CI training. The author further analyzes that the factors influencing the effect of STM in CI are: the correct understanding of the source language, a "prepared" good long-term memory (LTM) basis and effective training methods. As the listening competence and LTM are mainly improved by learning process, the author believes that CI interpreters' STM capacity can be achieved through effective coping tactics.By analyzing the memory training methods proposed and practiced by famous scholars in the interpreting circle, the author proposes to combine the retelling exercise with visual and logical thinking as a coping approach. An one-month experiment is conducted. The Control Group is trained on retelling exercises and the Experimental Group is trained on retelling exercise with visual and logical thinking. Both of the groups are improved in their proposition recall through the experiment, while the effect on experimental group seems superior to that of the control group.