Analysis Of Interpreters' Vulnerability To Stress And Coping Strategies

In writing this thesis, the author is guided by a couple of questions: why are interpretersvulnerable to stress? What is behind stress? Can we find out effective ways to combatstress? Before dealing with the phenomenon of interpreter's stress, the author begins withthe basic concepts about interpretation and stress, taking a brief look at the process of theinterpretation, borrowing the idea of stress from psychology and introducing somesymptoms of stress. Then the phenomenon of interpreters' vulnerability to stress areunderscored as the author's inspiration to unfold the reasons behind it and his commitmentto search for solutions that can help interpreters reduce or ward off stress.The second part is an overview of the development of the interpretation theory in the westand at home, pinpointing the bias and constraints in the course of the development,expressing the author's possibilities of the thesis's contribution from the point of view ofstress management strategies.The third part is devoted to exploring the deep-seated stressors that are responsible forinterpreters' vulnerability to stress. The author advances five perspectives which constitutethe principal sources of stress. In this chapter, Daniel Gile's "effort model" is borrowed inorder to unravel the process of interpretation and allocation of interpreter's attention. Theenvironmental issues, cultural frame, interpreter's cultural frame are also taken intoconsideration.In the fourth part, useful ways are proposed that can help alleviate the stressful situationinterpreters encounters in doing their job.Finally, the author will wrap up the thesis by summarizing interpreters' exposure to stress,demonstrating what could be done to further explore this phenomenon, pointing out howthe cooperation between interpreters and the society can solve the stress issue.