On The Effects Of Redundancy In E-C Simultaneous Interpretation

Simultaneous interpretation plays a significant role in interlingual communication, hence the widespread use of SI in political, economic and cultural spheres. Simultaneous interpretation is an information-transfer process, in which speakers encode the information first and then the interpreters decode the information and transport it to the audience. The concept—redundancy stems from the information theory and is an inherent feature of languages. It has a dual role in Simultaneous interpretation. On one hand, it helps speakers convey message effectively and enable the audience to get the real meaning of the message; On the other hand, it adds burden to the audience, because redundant information could be labeled as given information.This thesis explores the role of redundancy in E-C Simultaneous interpretation within the framework of Gile's Effort Model, Grice's the Maxim of Quantity, Anderson's the Listening and Comprehension Process and Shannon's Information Theory. The thesis starts with a brief introduction about the definition, classification and role of redundant information; then through theoretical and empirical studies, this thesis examines redundant information's implication on student interpreters' listening, comprehension, information processing and employment of SI tactics.Through the analysis of experiment, interpreters" interpretation, interview on the interpreters and the questionnaire, the author finds that redundant information in E-C Simultaneous interpretation plays a positive role in interpreters" job. In other words, the shortage of redundant information will increase the information density, thus having implications on interpreters" listening, analysis and production. In response to this, interpreters can take some coping tactics. In conclusion, this thesis has a profound significance on student interpreters.