Consecutive Interpreting In The Light Of Catford's Translation Shifts Theory

To improve the delivery,translation shifts are necessary during English Chinese interpreting considering the significant differences embodied in the linguistic structures between English and Chinese languages which are defined by different cultures.Applying Catford's Translation Shifts Theory,this paper aims to analyze the linguistic shifts from English to Chinese based on a case study of the author's site interpretation,and puts forward suggestions to improve the interpreting.It proposes several general shifting models under each category:level shifts are characterized by the shifts from grammar to lexis;structure shifts are exemplified in the shifts from passive voice to active voice,from affirmative form to negative form,and from subject-prominent to topic-prominent;class shifts are illustrated in the shifts to verbs;unit shifts are implied by the shifts from lexis to phrases,from phrases to sentences,and from clauses to sentences;intra-system shifts are encountered in the selection of a non-corresponding term.It is hoped that this paper would give references for interpreters on translation shifts when approaching consecutive interpreting.