Considerations In Interpreting Test Mode

Interpreting, as we know, involves a whole process of decoding information in source language, recoding information in target language and expressing in target language. Complex as it is, the whole process is finished in very short period of time, which decides the vital role of interpreting as an effective and quick approach to bridge the gap between two different languages and cultures. Over the recent years, with the development of economy and society as well as the further opening of China, interpreting has been highlighted by the increasing foreign exchanges, resulted in great demand for qualified interpreters. Various problems also crop up under such circumstances, such as the lack of effective control over interpreting quality, the difficulty in choosing qualified interpreters as well as the lack of a standardized interpreting market, to name just a few. In order to solve these problems, the establishment of a scientific evaluating system of interpreting serves as a must way-out, with a view to evaluate and select qualified interpreters in an effective manner. To reach this end, the interpreting test is undoubtedly the best choice. The recent years also witness the emergence of various interpreting tests in succession, including some national or regional interpreting tests as well as some entrance examinations held by the interpreting schools in colleges and universities. With the emergence and popularity of interpreting tests, the research on ideal interpreting tests has been drawing growing attention due to the fact that test itself serves as a symbol of standard and authority in the public, whose results feature great impact on the future development of testees. Therefore, the research on an ideal interpreting test mode emerges as an urgent and vital task in front of us.The test cannot do without the guidance of testing theories. Testing theories have evolved into a mature theory system with the lapse of time and have long been put into wide use. At present, communicative testing theory has taken a dominant role in guiding various kinds of language tests as it can enhance the reliability and validity of language tests to a great degree because it attaches great importance to theauthenticity of context of situation and advocates measuring the testees in communicative contexts. Interpreting is a complex communicative act, whose very nature determines the absolute necessity and feasibility to adopt communicative test theory as the guidance in interpreting test.This thesis tries to explore on the ideal interpreting test mode from the perspective of communicative testing theory. First, it makes a brief introduction of the testing theory in terms of theoretical backgrounds, major principles and properties as well as its great significance. Then, the thesis tries to explain the necessity and inevitability to adopt communicative testing theory to guide the interpreting test, which is, in essence, decided by the very nature of interpreting. With the communicative testing theory, this thesis also tries to make a comparison and analysis of three national interpreting tests which enjoy high authority and great popularity at present, namely, the National Accreditation Examinations for Interpreters held jointly by National Ministry of Education and Beijing University of Foreign Studies, the Shanghai Accreditation Examinations for Interpreters held by Shanghai University of Foreign Studies as well as the China Aptitude Test for Interpreters held by National Ministry of Personnel. These three interpreting tests vary more or less in terms of contents and forms and features advantages and disadvantages respectively. This thesis tries to make a comprehensive analysis of their respective advantages and disadvantages in the perspective of communicative testing theory. Lastly, still with communicative testing theory combined with the precious experience of existing interpreting tests, this thesis tries to put forward some personal suggestions and views on the interpreting test mode in terms of forms, contents and evaluation system to be adopted in the test with a view to provide some reference in this regard.