Validity Of Sight Translation As A Component Of Interpreting Aptitude Test Based On Empirical Study

Recent years have witnessed a rising trend of applying sight translation in aptitude tests,either as a predictor for candidates' interpretation potential or qualification.Therefore,this thesis seeks to provide empirical support for such trial practices.This thesis aims to demonstrate content validity,construct validity,as well as predictive validity of sight translation as a form of aptitude test based on Lyle F.Bachman's validity theory.Four types of tests among three sample groups at different levels of interpreting learning stages are administered to find how sight translation validly evaluate three necessary components for interpreters,that is,text analysis ability,de-verbalization ability,and anti-pressure ability.Moreover,a correlational analysis will be made between scores achieved for sight translation test and that for consecutive interpreting test to find how well sight translation can predict examinees' overall interpreting capability.This thesis offers the following findings.Firstly,successful operation of sight translation demands proficiency in capabilities including speedy information analysis,shedding off the original text,coping with psychological stress,and a swift eye-brain-voice coordination.Secondly,data collected in the experiment reveal a significant positive correlation between subjects' performance in sight translation test and other interpreting ability tests,suggesting that sight translation test can effectively evaluate interpreting abilities in at least three ways,namely,text analysis ability,de-verbalization ability,and anti-pressure ability.Thirdly,similar findings can be traced between test scores for sight translation and consecutive interpreting,with a striking difference in sight translation scores among different sample groups,suggesting that sight translation test can effectively predict examinees' overall interpreting ability,at least consecutive interpreting ability.Fourthly,this thesis sets up a framework for sight translation evaluation.Adjustments about certain criteria could be made according to differentorientations of various sight translation tests.