A Translation Variation Approach To Conference Interpretation Of Idioms From Chinese To English

This thesis concerns itself with a research on conference interpretation of idioms from Chinese to English from the perspective of Translation Variation Theory. Idioms, with rich cultural connotations, have always been a focus in translation studies. The previous studies on idiom interpretation have reached some agreements from such perspectives as cultural involvement, Relevance Translation Theory, Cooperation Principle and Functional Translation Theory. However, compared with idiom translation, idiom interpretation still deserves more pursuits.The flexibility underlying Translation Variation Theory bears high adaptability to the immediacy of conference interpretations. Therefore, this thesis attempts to approach idiom interpretation from the perspective of Translation Variation Theory, specifically devoted to the following questions:First, what is the distinctiveness of idiom interpretation from Chinese to English in conference interpretation? Second, how is Translation Variation Theory adaptable to idiom interpretation in conference? Third, what interpretation variation strategy can be used to cope with idiom interpretation in conference from Chinese to English?This thesis is a qualitative case study and the data are collected from 2014 NPC and CPPCC Sessions’Press Conference by Premier Li Keqiang. It is concluded that (1) idiom interpretation in conference from Chinese to English is of instant, contextual and extempore nature with rich rhetoric effects, meanwhile, it will also be restricted by the nature, purpose and function of the conference; (2) Translation Variation Theory is highly adaptable to idiom interpretation in conference. Only through the flexible form can idiom interpretation in conference from Chinese to English, with profound cultural background and limited by multiple factors, successfully convey the meaning of idioms as expected; (3) the three interpretation variation strategies, namely, selective interpretation, compiling interpretation and explanation interpretation have wide applicability in Chinese-English idiom interpretation in conference. The present study discusses Chinese-English idiom interpretation from its distinctiveness, its adaptability and idiom interpretation strategies under the guidance of Translation Variation Theory, which is expected to shed some light on Chinese-English idiom interpretation practice on one hand, and extend the applicability of Translation Variation Theory on the other.