The Subjective Factors Causing Difficulty In The Interpretation Of Numbers

Based on the theoretical foundation of Daniel Gile’s “Effect Model”, this paperaims at answering the following two specific questions:(1) If numbers istroublesome in interpreting numbers?(2) What are the possible reasons leading tostudent interpreters’ difficulties in interpreting numbers? Suggestions are offered tostudents and teachers to improve student interpreters’ number interpretation ability inaccordance with the final research results.This study consists of10second-year graduates enrolled in the interpretationprogram in Xinjiang Normal University. A series of instruments are employed(stimulated recall interview, notes, recordings of interpretation), to elicit and analyzethe empirical data generated by the10subjects. The research findings are then basedon a quantitative and qualitative study of the data:1. Numbers is troublesome in interpreting numbers2. The possible subjective reasons leading to difficulties in numbersinterpretation are:a. Working memory shortageb. Unsuitable note-taking methodc. Unfamiliarity with the source language speechThis thesis is expected to offer some pedagogic advice for teachers as well asstudents, and may serve as a pilot study for future larger-scaled research.