Reflection On Reference And Conjunction Applied In English-Chinese Simultaneous Interprting Based On A Practice Report

Simultaneous interpreting(SI) is one of the most challenging interpreting activities since it is a language transfer characterized by strict time constraint, linearity constraint and knowledge constraint. These constraints make it difficult for SI interpreters to produce a coherent rendition required by the target audience. As far as trainee interpreters are concerned, the above-mentioned constraints pose greater challenges for them as they are less experienced in terms of skills and practices.This report is based on a SI practice for the Cultural Exchange Forum hosted by University of Essex with the author being one of the English-Chinese simultaneous interpreters. The author has done a relatively sufficient preparation before interpreting at both language and non-language levels. Upon completing the task, the author transcribes the recording of source text and target text, and provides back translation of the rendition to examine whether it is coherent or not by using cohesive ties. According to the classification of cohesive devices made by scholars at home and abroad, Halliday and Hasan in particular, the author mainly analyses and discusses the references and conjunctions adopted in the SI practice. In addition, a refined rendition with a proper employment of these cohesive ties is provided. The report attempts to provide suggestions for trainee interpreters to improve the coherence of their English-Chinese SI performance so as to increase their awareness that proper use of cohesive devices could help produce a more coherent and well-accepted target text.