Application Of Effort Models In The Working Memory Training Of Interpreting

The memory capacity of a language plays a vital role in judging how well aninterpreter can accomplish his tasks. Studies show that in the complicated cognitiveprocessing activities such as the comprehension of language, the working memory of aninterpreter, etc. is closely related to his effectiveness in performing the task. Under thepresumption that multiple tasks are carried out, activities such as the input or the output ofthe language will definitely disturb the specific functions of working memory and theeffectiveness of interpreting. Therefore, based on the “Effort Models” theory proposed byProfessor Daniel Gile, this thesis describes the whole procedure of information processingin interpreting. With full understanding of the interpreter’s energy distribution mechanismsin their brains when processing the information, it also analyses and summarizes certainrules in the working memory training on how to take good control on the trainee’s innerefforts, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the interpreting activities.The thesis is divided into four parts.The first part describes the memory systems of interpreting, along with the majormemory forms in interpreting activities—Sensory Memory, Short-term Memory andLong-term Memory. It also probes into the concept, features and principles of workingmemory and presents the relative research findings on the connections of working memorywith both short-term memory and long-term memory. In addition, this part stresses theimportant role of long-term memory in the researches of working memory.The second part leads in Professor Daniel Gile’s “Effort Models” theory. It describesthe energy distribution forms of human brain in processing the information, then introducesthe major effort forms in interpreting activities—Listening and Analysis Effort, Short-termMemory Effort and Production Effort. Finally,“Effort Models” theory is put forward tohelp the readers have a better understanding of “Effort Models” in SI, CI and interpretingcomprehension.In the third part, case analysis is designed from the materials of two interpreting videoclips. One of the cases collects data from the video speech of President Barack Obama afterOsama Ben Laden died, along with two SI video scenes—from PSTV and CCTV. Thesecond case collects data from10participants of an interpreting contest for the same paragraph on their CI performances. The on-site performances of interpreters andparticipants are analyzed in detail, in order to find out the sources of these performances.Besides, different factors which affect the memory of interpreters as well as theirpresentations are also summarized in this chapter.Based on the collected data, the fourth part plays the most important role of this thesis.From the perspectives of “Effort Models” theory, it illustrates how to effectively reduce theinterpreters’ efforts in interpreting activities and apply “Effort Models” theory to theworking memory training of interpreting, so as to improve the interpreters’ workingmemory and interpreting performances.This thesis tries to break through the existing models that directly links workingmemory with the short-term memory in interpreting, it further studies the connectionbetween working memory and the long-term memory, comprehensively propose theeffective approaches to improve the interpreters’ memory capacity, which can lay a solidfoundation for the further study of working memory.