Roles Of Interpreter In Foreign-aid Training Courses

As China moves closer to the center of the world stage,foreign-aid training programs have become a significant diplomatic channel to publicize China.In foreign-aid training courses,an intercultural communication activity,the performance of interpreters has a direct impact on the quality of the course and the program.This report is a reflection on the author's interpreting practice for “2018 Training Course on Vegetable Cultivation Technology for Timor-Leste” held by Yuan Longping High-tech Agriculture Co.,Ltd..In the process of practice,the author mainly participated in consecutive interpreting for teaching activities,including three settings:lecture on vegetable cultivation technology theory,field practice on vegetable cultivation technology,and lecture on China's national condition.Liaison interpreting was also involved in visiting and medical settings.After receiving professional interpreting training in the postgraduate period,the author had a reflection on the practice.This report illustrates the communication difficulties encountered by the author and various situations that may affect the teaching quality.By analyzing the interpreter's preparations and performance in these situations and responses to challenge and client feedback,this report attempts to analyze what roles interpreters should play in different settings to effectively improve the teaching quality in foreign-aid training courses.Traditionally,interpreters are required to be neutral and faithful,even to be as “an invisible man”.However,after the practice and analysis,the author finds that an indifferent “mouthpiece” in both class interpreting and liaison interpreting couldn't reach the goal of foreign-aid programs—to guarantee an effective and high-quality class output and to tell good Chinese stories.An interpreter should also be a co-teacher,a trainee's advocate and a mediator in foreign-aid courses.Only in this way can the communicative purpose be better achieved in such a highly-interactive and professional setting.After analysis,the author hopes that the report can also provide some feasible suggestions for future foreign-aid program interpreters and course quality improvement.