An Analysis Of Working Memory Training In Consecutive Interpreting

Among the various modes of interpreting, consecutive interpreting has a higher demand for the memory capacity of the interpreter. However, memory training has not been given due attention for a long time, and the study and training of working memory is far from enough. Working memory serves for memory storage, information processing and the coordination of the dynamic operations, and it is believed that these abilities can be improved with some specialized training methods, and consequently improve the overall interpreting performance. Based on that presumption, the theoretical study and experimental verification are launched. The thesis includes three parts, namely the introduction, the main body and the conclusion. The introduction introduces the research findings of the memory systems in regard to consecutive interpreting, and points out that working memory varies among individuals and can be improved by training. The main body consists of four chapters. The first chapter briefly introduces the definitions and models of consecutive interpreting, the memory systems and working memory, which indicate the importance of memory systems, and particularly the significance of working memory. The second chapter proposes that attention, comprehension and note-taking are major factors affecting memory, and accordingly some training methods of working memory are developed, including recognizing, symbolizing and visualizing the information focus, chunking, and retelling. Chapter Three presents the training courses designed with the application of the training methods. Chapter Four elaborates the experiment in which the participants are divided into the control group and the experimental group, and are tested before and after the memory training, and the test result is analyzed. The last part is the conclusion, which points out the findings and limitations of the thesis, and proposes some suggestions to the future researches. The thesis proves that the working memory training methods are feasible and valid, and that working memory can be enhanced, which will improve the ability of consecutive interpreting, and realize a better outcome of interlingual communication.