A Practice Report On The Class Interpreting From The Perspective Of Relevance Theory

Relevance Theory states that the human linguistic communication is achieved by an ostensive-inferential process and the optimal relevance sought from it and the relevance is decided by the contextual effects and processing efforts.In consecutive class interpreting as a special kind of communicative activity,it is the responsibility of the interpreter to get across the communication and information intentions of the speaker to the audience to achieve successful communication.In this sense,Relevance Theory can be of value in the interpreting practice.The Ministry of Commerce of the PRC has launched a series of Aid Training Programs targeted at the developing countries in Asia,Africa and Latin America.The author took part in the Ghana Customs Seminar as the student interpreter.This interpreting report deals with the cases analysis of the Customs class interpreting with the framework of the Relevance Theoretic Approach to Translation and the Relevance Theory,and discusses about the application and guidance of theory in the interpreting task.Due to limited interpreting ability and experience,as well as the difficulties in the interpreting task,it is difficult for the interpreter to convey successfully the information and communication intentions to the audience with maximum contextual effects and minimum processing efforts.As a result,representing cases in the class interpreting are chosen for this practice report to be analyzed under the guidance of Relevance theory.The cases analysis is carried out in terms of the interpreting strategies in maximizing contextual effects and minimizing processing effort.Other useful suggestions are also put forward such as adequate preparation of glossaries,accumulation of encyclopedic knowledge and the utilization of related interpreting strategies.This report deals with the cases analysis in the Customs class interpreting based on the Relevance Theory,and targeted suggestions are provided for further improvement of the author's interpreting ability and also function as a reference for the study and practice of other student interpreters.