Semantic Fuzziness And Functional Approaches In Interpretation

Interpretation is a special instant communicative translation, whose function lies in instant message transmission. Combined with modern communication, the author concludes that fuzziness is the main cause resulting in various problems in the dynamic process of interpretation. Based on this analysis, the author tries to solve various problems and to reach the final communication by applied functional approach. By adopting the fuzziness theory, the author attempts to explore the causes of problems; and by using the functional approach the author tries to solve various problems occurred in the interpretation. Through dealing with those problems, the author makes a tentative study concerning the theoretical frames for interpretation.Chapter 1 explores the history of interpretation, defines and classifies the terms of interpretation that covers simultaneous interpretation and consecutive interpretation. The author especially points out the four features of interpretation: shift of manipulative power, presence and absence, instantaneity and contextualization. In combination with the modern communication and translation, the author concludes that interpretation is a special communicative form of translation.Chapter2 illustrates the systematic-functional grammar approach of Halliday and the functional approach of Peter Newmark, puts forward the various theories from macro and micro perspectives and summarizes that the purpose of interpretation is to make interlinguial communication.Chapter 3 tries to explain semantic fuzziness in interpretation .The author points out that semantic fuzziness in interpretation is not caused intentionally by speakers of both source language (SL) and target language (TL) but by misunderstanding of SL and TL in specific discourse due to the differences between SL and TL or the purpose of between SL and TL speakers .To reduce ambiguity in interpretation, it is vital for interpreters to explain both speech of SL and TL from the clues of the discourse, semantic and logical meaning, and from mastering the equivalence and rhetorics of both languages. Only if the interpreters try their best to reduce ambiguity, will they present perfect interpreting.Chapter 4 expounds the most updated interpretation researches which focus on how to improve the quality of interpreters since the researchers think that the problems in interpreting are due to interpreters. However, only by improving the techniques of interpreters, is it possible to solve some problems of semantic fuzziness such as "instantaneity", "shift of manipulative power". Through this analysis, we can see that interpreting techniques are applications of functional approaches in interpretation. Actually, no matter what interpreter translates and how he translates will actually embody functional approaches applied unconsciously.Chapter 5 demonstrates various techniques and skills in interpretation which need theoretical support respectively. Therefore, it is the first try to apply semantic fuzziness and functional approach in interpretation to solve practical problems and to prove the possibility of constructing a theoretical base for interpretation.The conclusion is the summary of the whole paper. It reveals the significance of the paper and points out the problems for further research.