Vague Information And Its Strategies In C-E/E-C Interpretation

Vagueness is an inherent feature of natural language. Since Zadeh proposed the concept of "fuzzy set" in1965, fuzziness (vagueness) has aroused wide concern. Later on, it was introduced into various disciplines and yielded fruitful achievements. With the development of interdisciplinary study in translation, vague theory was also introduced into translation study. It is regrettable that few interpretation studies were conducted from the angle of vagueness. Therefore, this thesis tries to study the vague information and the corresponding strategies in C-E/E-C interpretation of Sino-U.S. joint press conference (hereafter referred to as JPC).Generally speaking, the language employed in joint press conference is supposed to be formal, precise and authoritative. However, after a thorough study of the collected data, the author finds that vague information also exists in Sino-U.S. JPC. On the one hand, vague information is inevitable in all natural languages. On the other, the spokesmen will intentionally employ vague information to fulfill certain purposes. However, due to the formal situation of joint press conference, the time limitation and extemporaneousness of interpretation, vague information poses great difficulty for interpreters. Besides, the differences in English and Chinese cultural backgrounds, thinking patterns, preference of vague information make it even harder for interpreters to deal with this kind of information.Based on the Sino-U.S. joint press conferences held during the period of2011-2013between Chinese and American heads of state, heads of government, foreign ministers/secretaries of state and ministers of national defense, the thesis analyzes the vague information in detail:the specific forms of vague information in Chinese and English and the functions for spokesmen and interpreters. Difficulties and translatability of vague information are also explored. Though vague information poses difficulty for interpreters, C-E/E-C interpretation of vague information is made possible by linguistic and cultural similarities between them. In the end, two kinds of coping strategies are presented with examples: preserving the vague information or turning vague information into precise information. Besides, specific methods with related to each strategy and their using conditions are provided. It is hoped that this thesis cannot only broaden the research field of vagueness, but also has great practical significance for interpreters’work.