Application Of Short-Term Memory To Liaison Interpreting

Over the past decades, as the international trade increases and the globalization expands, more attention has been paid to oral interpretation, which has been studied by experts and theorists with the aim to cultivate high-level talents to satisfy the growing needs of this demanding profession.Short-term memory constitutes an indispensable part of oral interpreting and directly determines the quality of the interpretation. However, many current studies and researches, which have been done on the importance of note-taking, simply acknowledge that short-term memory is important without a deep analysis of its application to oral interpreting.As one form of oral interpreting, liaison interpreting has been adopted on many occasions due to its informality and pragmatic effect in helping two parties communicate efficiently and conveniently in a relaxing and cheerful atmosphere.Training courses and guided tours especially favor such kind of interpretation.The author excerpted some real examples from his actual interpretation practice in a training course for Baosteel Group. By analyzing these examples and studying the function of short-term memory in liaison interpreting, this thesis aims at providing some suggestions and drawing greater attention to the importance of short-term memory in the daily training of interpreters. Furthermore, the author hopes the thesis can remind those who are already working as interpreters of the crucial role shortterm memory plays, thus improving their interpretation performances.