Differences In Word Order Between English And Chinese And Coping Tactics In English-Chinese Simultaneous Interpreting

This dissertation explores coping tactics for word order differences in the setting ofEnglish-Chinese simultaneous interpreting. Although there are already a number ofstudies in the field of coping tactics for English and Chinese word order differences,they are largely translation-oriented and focus on written languages. Yet,simultaneous interpreting is a special kind of speech that involves time pressure inthe process. Interpreters are very likely to adopt strategies different from thoseproposed in previous research.Analyzed in light of ear-voice span theory and Gile s efforts model ofsimultaneous interpreting, syntactic linearity is believed to be an effectiveframework to address the issue of source-target word order discrepancies, due to itstime-and efforts-saving benefits. Based on this framework as well as previousstudies on English-Chinese word order differences, the thesis looks into thefollowing issues with the help of an observational study:(1) What do interpreters doto overcome word-order differences, how have they succeeded and how have theyfailed?(2) In terms of failure related to differences in word order, how canperformance be possibly improved?Using videos from the interview session of the8thChinICT as the researchmaterials, the following word order differences are identified: difference in adverbialposition, difference in attribute position, difference in object position, difference inperception mode and difference in speech flow. Several coping tactics, such asdelayed response (pause), repetition, after thought and salami technique are broughtup as feasible option to address those differences. In addition, some potential issueslike omission of parentheses by the interpreters are found.This research will be valuable theoretical and practical reference for researchersand interpreters alike. It can be viewed as a helpful material to contribute to thetheory of word order difference applicable to interpreting. Also, it could hopefullyhelp interpreters better analyze the source speech, make more accurate anticipation,be more prepared to deal with such differences and make better remedies for mistakes should any arise.