On Teaching Syntactical Linearity In E-C Simultaneous Interpretation Course

Following the syntactical order of the speaker is a must in principle for a simultaneous interpreter; therefore, the order of the translated version should be in tandem with that of the original one. That gives birth to syntactic linearity. Mastery of the principle requires systematic training, and that is what the thesis is about.Syntactical linearity is the golden rule for simultaneous interpretation, but is hardly receiving due attention from teachers, trainers to trainees and students at universities or most of the training centers. Hasty rush to authentic materials obtained from sophisticated interpreters may push students and trainees too hard at the initial stage. Buffer zone is needed by beginners as they encounter setbacks.The author of the article is a trainer and postgraduate at a training center and a university respectively. At the beginning of the year2014, the author conducted an experiment to find out whether the teaching of syntactical linearity could facilitate the learning of simultaneous interpretation by beginners. This article is therefore, aimed at putting forward some suggestions through that experiment process and result, while securing an easier transition for beginners.