An Analysis Of The Present Situation Of Court Interpreting In China And Exploration Of Modes Of Training

Court interpreting is an important method to ensure defendants'right at court. Serious mistakes will be made because of the absence of accurate and reliable language interpretation in legal situations. This thesis first views the definition, history, modes of work, and functions of court interpreting. Procedures of court interpreting follow the procedures of court trials in China, i.e., calling a court to order, court investigation, court debate, final statement, and sentencing. It's highly necessary to make a clarification that the interpreter's role is to"translate exactly what is said and at the same level of discourse the speaker uses."There are some unique characteristics of legal English, such as using both vague and precise expressions, religiousness, and pompous words. While doing court interpreting, interpreters should pay special attention to some technical problems, for example, listening and speaking at the same time, conveying the meaning of the original at the same level of register as the source language, using verbatim or meaning-based interpretation and the cultural differences between the two languages used at court. In explaining the fatigue of court interpreters, the author introduces the solution - team interpreting and its application. This thesis also analyzes the general characteristics of court interpreting service in China, present situation of teaching and training of court interpreters, the teachers, teaching materials, and teaching methodologies. In the end, the author puts forward three modes of training. They are recommended for inclusion in China's overall program for improvement of court interpreter services. The first mode is a starting point in the process of increasing the level of professionalism among bilingual individuals who may work in courts from time to time but who have never received formal training in court interpreting. The second mode is more appropriate for interpreters who have received some formal training in court interpreting, or who have demonstrated a good working knowledge of courts and court procedure and the basic precepts of the interpreter's professional conduct because of their employment. The third mode is for advanced level interpreters.