A Report On The Chinese-English Consecutive Interpreting For China-ASEAN Food Processing And Packaging Machinery Procurement Seminar

On September 21,2019,China-ASEAN Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Procurement Seminar was held in Nanning,with buyers from ASEAN countries and Chinese exhibitors participating in the event for business talks.Entrusted by Guangxi International Expositions Bureau,the author undertook the task of interpreting for the seminar.This paper is a report on the Chinese-English consecutive interpreting of this seminar.Under the guidance of Skopos theory and considering features of business interpreting and roles of an interpreter,the author analyzes her performance,sums up the major challenges encountered and puts forward solutions for improvement,in an effort to provide the interpreters under similar circumstance with reference in terms of pre-interpreting preparation,selection of translation strategies and coping tactics in the unforeseeable situations.The report is divided into five parts: task description,pre-interpreting preparation,case analysis,evaluation and feedback,and conclusion.The first chapter is a brief introduction to the seminar and its features;the second chapter covers the linguistic and non-linguistic preparations made by the author before the seminar.In the third chapter,under the guidance of Skopos theory and considering features of business interpreting and roles of an interpreter,the author places emphasis on the analysis of her performance and problems she encountered,and the discussion of interpreting strategies and solutions under the framework of understanding,memorizing,expression and unforeseeable situation.The conclusion of the report is drawn as follows: First,adequate pre-interpreting preparation is a prerequisite for successful completion of the task,and non-linguistic preparation,such as psychological preparation,is also a major factor affecting the quality of interpreting.Second,the interpreter is not merely a “microphone”,but an active participant and facilitator in business activities.Third,in addition to language proficiency and interpreting skills,the interpreter should have the capability of coping with unforeseeable situations.Fourth,the clients can play their parts in ensuring the quality of interpreting.All in all,it is a long way to go in the study of interpreting.Only by building up language competence,making sufficient preparation and being flexible in unexpected situations can the interpreter accomplish his/her mission.