Application Of Interpreter’s Subjectivity In Business Interpreting

Although the subjectivity has long been emphasized and explored in translation since 1970 s, the traditional interpreting keeps accordance with the principles of“faithfulness” and “equivalence” so that interpreters are considered as mere “invisible bridges”. Seldom have theories or practices called for the interpreter’s subjectivity comparatively. Yet as the international exchanges and interpreting activities grow increasingly frequent, the interpreter’s subjectivity, particularly under business situations, has gained more and more attention from scholars and other practitioners.Based on case study and analysis on the author’s three projects: escort interpreting in the First Sichuan International Travel Expo, negotiation interpreting in Signing Ceremony and Business Match-making, EU-China Business and Technology Cooperation Fair Ⅸ, and interpreting in business conference of Chengdu Huiyin Equity Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., this report has exemplified the significance of interpreter’s subjectivity in business interpreting, by analyzing the problems encountered by the author in the processes and solutions applied. It aims at offering relevant references for later business interpreting conducts, which in turn would benefit both the interpreters’ task accomplishment and interests of all parties involved.This thesis consists of three major parts: Chapter One is a review over business interpreting and interpreter’s subjectivity, which lays a relatively theoretic foundation for later discussion of subjectivity application. In Chapter Two, the introduction of three distinctive projects has been offered, from the task preparation to problems on site. Then it is followed by Chapter Three, where the application of interpreter’s subjectivity is exemplified and discussed, combining theories mentioned in Chapter One with problems listed in Chapter Two. In this way, this thesis has included both the reports of distinctive projects and respective reflections of the author on business interpreters’ subjectivity awareness as well as application. Lastly, a conclusion that business interpreters have to regard themselves and play as active participators is drawn, which also points out some practical methods to help better fulfill businessinterpreting projects. Particularly, in this thesis the author comes up with the idea of“person shift”, which means implementing the interpreter’s subjectivity by properly and promptly shifting persons according to various situations in interpreting process.