A Tentative Approach To Interpretation Accreditation Tests-Interpretation From A Communicative Perspective

Trend of globalization makes cross-boarder communication even more prevalent, thus creating a larger market for interpretation. Therefore, interpreters, as the intermediary, are of greater demand than ever before. How to select qualified interpreters for the great cause by designing a more scientific interpretation testing program is equally, if not more important.As the three basic elements in testing design suggests, the design of a test relies on the testing purpose, testing contents and testing method. And according to Bachman's Communicative Language Testing (CLT) theory, what goes to the testing and how the test takers are supposed to respond to the testing material are largely influenced by the non-testing performance, which is called the principle of authenticity. In this respect, a survey into what the real-life interpretation presents is a prerequisite in analyzing the design of interpretation tests.Therefore, real-life interpretation is viewed from a communicative perspective in this essay, beyond the traditional view of it as a simple language-transfer. Consequently, an interpreter is an active participant in the interaction, whose communicative abilities are required.With this principle at its core and on the basis of the existing two interpretation tests, namely, the China Aptitude Test for Translators and Interpreters (CATTI) and the Shanghai Accreditation Examinations for Interpreters, this essay tries to make tentative suggestions on how to design a more scientific and efficient interpretation testing program.