C-E Interpreting Strategies Of Vagueness Guided By Skopos Theory

As an attribute of human languages,vagueness can be universally found in communications among different countries,especially on formal diplomatic occasions.Speakers use vague expressions often with certain purposes.For example,for some uncertain information,speakers tend to employ vague words or expressions to leave room for themselves to avoid making mistakes.For some critical and sensitive information,speakers will try to create a harmonious atmosphere through the use of vagueness in order to push forward dialogues to fruition.Sometimes when they have to clarify their positions,they will choose ambiguous words or sentences to declare their standpoints.Therefore,when interpreters deal with vagueness in languages,they must first and foremost,be clear about the purposes of vague expressions.Only with the purposes in mind can interpreters be able to choose the appropriate interpreting strategies within limited time.This paper takes the author’s whispering interpretation practice at China-ASEAN Science and Technology Industry & Enterprise Cooperation Seminar as the object of analysis,and takes the German functionalist Skopos Theory as the theoretical guide to explore the interpreting strategies for vague expressions.The paper firstly discusses the skopos or the purposes of the vague expressions used by the speaker at the seminar and then explores and summarizes the interpreting strategies for vagueness through 12 examples.Based on her analysis,the author holds that two strategies can be used to deal with vagueness interpretation at macro level: interpreting vagueness with vagueness,and interpreting vagueness with precision;At micro level,interpreting strategies for vagueness include: literal interpretation,free interpretation,supplement,culture equivalence and simplification.