A Practice Report On Roles Of Liaison Interpreters

Along with the rapid development of Sino-foreign exchanges, there is a growing demand for high quality liaison interpreters in domestic organizations, academic institutions and corporations. This is a liaison interpreting practice report which describes interpreting services provided for students from Lancaster University during their study in Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. The students have visited many companies including: Guangzhou Dali Food Co., Ltd, Guangdong O.R.G. Packaging Co., Ltd in Zhaoqing High-tech Zone and Guangzhou Dragon Gifts Carving Arts Factory.In liaison interpreting, an interpreter may have to play a series of roles such as information deliverer, culture connecter, conversation participant, and activity facilitator. Language competence is of great importance, though good communication skills enabling a liaison interpreter to properly participate in the conversation and act as an activity facilitator do count. In this practice report, taking interpreting services provided for company visits as an example, the author is trying to illustrate the roles of liaison interpreters with specific examples.Based on practice, the author also describes pre-task preparations, task conducting and post-task summary to give a detailed picture of the interpreting process. The author aims to provide references and guidance for future liaison interpreters, especially those whose tasks involve company visits, to help them fulfill their interpreting task and make a success.