An Empirical Study Of Fossilization In C-E Interpreting

Interlanguage and its fossilization is a very important theory in second languageacquisition. Selinker attributes interlanguage fossilization to the five cognitiveprocesses central to second language learning, namely, language transfer, transfer oftraining, strategies of second language learning, communicational strategies andovergeneralization of target language linguistic material. In addition, theinterlanguage theory of Multiple Effects Principle predicts that there is a greaterchance for the associated interlanguage forms to fossilize when language transferworks in tandem with one or more of the above-mentioned second languageacquisition processes. Interpreting is essentially an instantly reproductive activitywhich concerns two different languages. The very nature of interpreting raises highdemands on an interpreter’s language proficiency. However, in light of the fact thatmost Chinese interpreters are compound (unbalanced) bilinguals who have acquiredtheir second language through classroom instruction and with the help of their nativelanguage, the interlanguage theory is also applicable to C-E interpreting researches.The current thesis aims to apply the interlanguage theory of Multiple Effects Principleto an empirical study of fossilization in C-E interpreting. It hypothesizes that variousdegrees of fossilization exist in speech reproductions by Chinese interpreters in C-Einterpreting, which can be ascribed to the interplay of language transfer and othercognitive processes central to second language learning, and that the very nature ofinterpreting which produces a heavy load on interpreters’ cognition also acts aspropeller for those fossilization causal factors. The significance of the study lies in thefact that the delaying and overcoming of fossilization can facilitate theimplementation of interpreting skills and strategies. Knowledge about the causes forfossilization and the process of it happening can help interpreters adopt correspondingmeasures to circumvent those causal factors so as to better their performance in C-Einterpreting.