Cross-cultural Factors In Conference Interpreting And Its Coping Strategies

With the fast development and deepening of globalization,the communication between different countries is becoming more and more frequent.Interpreting,as a bridge connecting different cultures,has increasingly highlighted its important role in international communication.In this thesis,a brief introduction is given to the definition,development,classification of interpreting.The characteristics,preparation and criteria of conference interpreting is also introduced.Language is the carrier of culture and medium of interpreting.Based on the definition of culture,this thesis discusses the complementary relationship between culture,language and interpreting.However,there is big difference between Chinese and Western cultures,such as history,value&customs,religion,thinking pattern.These different cultural factors have a great influence on cross-cultural communication activities such as interpreting.The author analyzes the reasons of communicative barriers in interpreting from the perspective of cross-cultural communication,and points out the importance of cross-cultural communication awareness and competence in interpreting.Chinese government press conference is an important channel for the world to understand China,such as its political,economic,cultural development status,policies and government work plans.From 2003 to 2012,Premier Wen Jiabao held press conference annually after NPC&CPPCC and answered questions from Chinese and foreign journalists.Premier Wen has a profound knowledge of Chinese traditional culture.He often uses proverbs,poems,allusions,political and economic terms with Chinese characteristics at press conference.These proverbs,poems and terms containing cultural information are big challenges for interpreters.With the discussion and analysis of interpreting of cultural factors of Premier Wen's press conference,this thesis concludes that in order to complete interpreting effectively,interpreters should apply the strategies of cultural empathy and transpection to enhance their cross-cultural communicative awareness and competence,improve language skills,follow the guidance of interpreting theories,adopt the techniques of literal interpreting,literal interpreting with paraphrasing,addition,omission and so on.A proper use of strategies and techniques will help interpreter to achieve better interpreting work.