A Study Of Consecutive Interpreting In Press Conference From The Perspective Of Chesterman’s Translation Norms

The theory of translation norms attempts to reveal the universal law of translation through descriptive research, in order to provide guidelines for both translation theory and practice. It not only constrains the whole process of translation activities but also affects the understanding and evaluation on translation products. The leading researchers in translation norms theory are Toury, Hermans and Chesterman. Based on the works of Toury and Hermans, Chesterman developed his theory of translation norms by bringing together the others’theories, at different times, into a macro framework and focused on fundamental issues of translation norms. Within this framework all translation theories and ideas are considered as cultural memes, with all memes together constituting a large meme-pool. Although they compete with each other, they do not contradict each other, and once one particular meme attains a dominant position in a certain period and is accepted by the public, it becomes a translation norm. Under Chesterman’s framework, many translation phenomena can be reasonably explained.The early translation norms focused on literary works and other written translations. In1989, Shlesinger introduced the idea of translation norms into the interpreting studies for the first time. Following Shlesinger, other scholars also studied interpreting from the perspective of the norm theory. Their studies focused on both the theoretical level and practical level, such as on the feasibility or possibility of applying the norm theory in interpreting studies, and normative statements on interpreting, etc..This thesis emphasizes the empirical investigation of the norm theory. It applies Chesterman’s framework to evaluate the criticisms on interpreting processes and products. To achieve that end, the SCIO Press Conference on2010National Economy Operation is adopted as the case for experimental research. EXCEL and SPSS are used as auxiliary research tools. This thesis then investigates three related hypotheses. The first is to determine whether interpreting is governed by norms, while the second is on the applicability of the four kinds of general norms proposed by Chesterman in the SCIO Press Conference. The final hypothesis examines the claim that all the phenomena in interpreting process and experimental process can be explained by the norm theory.During the experimental stage, two groups of subjects are asked to evaluate the performance of the interpreter and the effectiveness of interpreting. Upon comparison of the results, the author finds that there are inconsistencies in the evaluation of the performance of the interpreter and effectiveness of interpreting between subjects in group one, while the evaluations given by subjects in group two are basically consistent. By applying Chesterman’s norm theory, the author confirms that the inconsistencies have originated from the variety and instability of norms, while different assessments on the effectiveness of the interpreting are caused by different expectancy norms between different groups of people. This thesis also demonstrates that four kinds of general norms do exist in interpreting process and experimental process.Through empirical research, the author concludes that Chesterman’s translation norm is a tolerant and dynamic concept. Consecutive interpreting at SCIO press conference is a norm-governed activity and the norms are reflected by the analysis of the strategies that the interpreter adopted or the analysis of the interpreted product. Norms can be applied not only in consecutive interpreting, but also at every stage in the interpreting event, and hence to be reflected on every level of its products.During the interpreting process, the interpreter tends to conform to relevant norms consciously or subconsciously in order to realize the desired effect. Translation norms also help us to evaluate the whole interpreting process and product more objectively. Translation norms and translation norm theory give us a scientific methodology with which to approach the problem of stating a universal law of translation...