Memory In Interpreting:Working Mechanism And Improving Strategies

Memory,which serves as a bond connecting the input of source language and the output of target language,plays a very important role throughout the interpretation.Therefore,memory is supposed to be one of the most important factors that affect the interpreting results.However,most of the past studies focus much on the improvement of language skills in interpreting while ignoring the importance of memory.Based on the Interpretive Theory and theory of schema,this thesis attempts to analyze and explore the working mechanism and the improving methods of interpreting memory by connecting the characteristics of three memory systems—sensory memory,short-term memory and long-term memory.It is pointed out that memory in interpreting is rather difficult and complicated,and effective memorization in interpreting can only be achieved by the cooperation of short-term memory and long-term memory.Based on the Interpretive Theory and theory of schema^the present study clarifies the influence which schema exerts on long-term memory and emphasizes that interpreters should fully use the schema in long-term memory to comprehend and remember the meaning of discourse instead of the meaning of each word.Finally,connecting some concrete interpretation examples,the present study comprehensively puts forward some suggestions for memory improving strategies in interpreting from three aspects—preparation before interpretation,methods in interpretation and long-term memory training of interpretation.This thesis not only widens the studying range of the Interpretive Theory and the theory of schema,but also provides some useful suggestions for memory training in interpreting.