How To Improve The Quality Of Figure Interpretation In Business Interpreting

Interpreting is an activity of information exchange. In the process of interpreting, especially the business interpreting, figure interpretation becomes one of the big concerns. It is an extremely challenging task for an interpreter; problems with which may affect the quality of the whole interpreting. However, the research in how to improve the quality of figure interpretation has not received due attention at present.In the present report, based on her experience as an interpreter for Beijing Reachtec Ltd. and the Polish Optopol Company, the reporter provides a detailed analysis of the difficulties and possible causes in the process of interpreting as well as the corresponding solutions. The major difficulties are as follows:firstly, failing to properly handle each of figures when more figures occur in a short context; and secondly, failing to interpret the figures with large numerical values in an effective and accurate way. These two problems may arise from complicated situations, for example, the occurrence of large-quantity figures, differences of digital levels between Chinese and English, ineffective note-taking, the lack of short-term memory, etc. An analysis of the reasons results in a number of solutions to the difficulties with figure interpretation, including the formula method, effective note-taking strategies, short-term memory enhancement as well as the approximation strategy.The exemplification of the frequent difficulties in the process of figure interpretation and their corresponding solutions provided in the report will provide valuable information for the practice as well as research in interpretation.