Analysis Of The Use Of Anticipation In Chinese-English Consecutive Interpreting

Anticipation is defined as the target language production by the interpreter of a(string of)word(s)before(or simultaneous with)the speaker's production of the corresponding(string of)word(s),which is divided into linguistic and extra-linguistic anticipation.If properly used,this strategy can be conducive to reducing the burden of interpreter's effort distribution,improving the quality of production and the effect in bilingual conversation,and can be applied as a powerful tool to simultaneous and consecutive interpreting.In practice,however,the interpreter may find it difficult to use this strategy effectively,not only decreasing the quality of target language output but also defeating the interpreter's confidence and the audience's expectation.This thesis,based on the author's mock conference practice,presents the author's effective but mainly ineffective use of anticipation and corresponding dissatisfactory results,illustrated in 16 examples.Respective analysis of the causes and solutions are given,in support of various theories including Effort Models by Daniel Gile and psychological noise theory.The challenges and problems the author encountered include ineffective anticipation caused by inaccurate understanding of source language,ineffective anticipation caused by the difference between previous understanding and the following source language,severely wrong information in target language production caused by wrong anticipation,and severe damage to the fluency of target language production caused by correcting wrong anticipation.The main solutions suggested are as follows.Recognizing anticipation is the auxiliary tool to listening and analysis.Improving the ability to anticipate correctly,which can be realized by concentrating on the overall logic,using existing information and strengthening general abilities in interpreting,especially the ability to mobilize extralinguistic knowledge.Improving the ability to correct improper anticipation,which can be realized by conscious generalization and omission,choosing the best meaning of words,and utilizing common sense and the audience's response.Hopefully,this thesis can be helpful to practitioners or students who have encountered or may encounter similar difficulties in practice.