Addition And Deletion In SI-the Impact On Fidelity

As a fast and efficient way of delivering speeches in different languages at the same time, simultaneous interpreting (SI) is gaining increasing popularity at international conferences. In this thesis, concepts and principles of Relevance Theory are applied to demonstrate that addition and deletion (A/D) should be implemented as effective strategies in SI in order to achieve better communication effects. The issue of fidelity is probably the most basic and widely discussed component of SI research. Many researchers both home and abroad have explored fidelity in terms of language equivalence or information equivalence, hence set up the standards of linguistic fidelity and information fidelity. However, as SI is a communication activity with certain communication intention, the author states that fidelity can also be view from the perspective of communication effects, hence, communication fidelity should be given more priority. The application of addition and deletion strategies are for the benefit of pursuing better communication effects, therefore it should be encouraged in SI practice.The introduction provides a general view on the topic and illustrates the rationale behind the study.Chapter one defines SI as a communication process. Its communicative features are studied respectively. Through the analysis of linguistic and cultural discrepancy between Chinese and English, the author states the necessity of applying addition and deletion in the process of C-E/E-C SI. After a general literature review on addition and deletion as strategies mentioned by other researchers, the scope of addition and deletion in this paper is defined.Chapter two introduces the theoretical backgrounds of addition and deletion as effective strategies in SI. Under the framework of Relevance Theory, A/D strategies are illustrated as necessary and critical tools for achieving better communication effects. Communication fidelity has offered more freedom for interpreters to modify the information of the source speech for the sake of communication efficiency.Chapter three explores the quality and fidelity issues in SI. According to the features described in the definition of SI as a communicative activity, fidelity is categorized into: linguistic fidelity, information fidelity and communication fidelity. Each is investigated by the author to find which is more critical for fully achieving communication intention. Linguistic fidelity has its own limitation on delivery; information fidelity can not be totally achieved because of information incompleteness in SI. Communication fidelity best suits the communication intention, thus should gain more attention. After the elaboration, the author made three hypotheses regarding the impact of addition and deletion on linguistic fidelity, information fidelity and communication fidelity.Chapter four presents an experiment carried by the author to test the impact of A/D strategies on SI fidelity. Through the experiment, it is noted that A/D strategies do have positive impact on fidelity and the application in SI should be fully encouraged.The final part points out the limitations of this paper and gives a conclusion of the research. The author encourages more application of A/D strategies in SI and calls for more concern on communication fidelity.