Simultaneous interpretation is both an art and a technology. Therefore, there are some basic principles to follow in translation to achieve more effective interpretation. In simultaneous translation, especially in Chinese-English simultaneous translation, the following principles can be used to guide our translation:
(1) Sentence-driven: In the process of simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter cuts the whole sentence into meaning group units or information units according to the sentence order of the source language, and then naturally connects these units with conjunctions to translate the whole meaning. This translation method is "sentence-driven". For example, the following sentence is translated according to the sentence-driven principle: "Everyone//can use Internet resources//to study, regardless of nationality//gender//skin color//,as long as they have access to the Internet." The translation is: "All people can//rely on Internet resources to study//regardless of their race, nationality and gender//as long as//they can access the Internet." Simultaneous interpretation is carried out simultaneously with the speech of the source language speaker, and translation activities must end immediately (or simultaneously) after the speech of the source language speaker. Therefore, simultaneous interpreters should try their best to shorten the time difference between the translation and the source language pronunciation. The smaller the time difference, the more the interpreter remembers and the more information he translates. The word order between English and Chinese is very different, so it is difficult to keep up with the speakers of the source language before translation. Therefore, "sentence-driven is the biggest feature of English-Chinese simultaneous interpretation."
(2) Adjustment at any time: Adjustment is a proofreading process in simultaneous translation, and it is an important link for the translator to adjust information, correct mistranslation and supplement missing translation according to the new content received. For example, adverbials of time and place in English often appear at the end of sentences, while when using "sentence-driven" translation, adverbials will appear after the main sentence is translated. For example, "Yesterday 10 o'clock//I went to the Holiday Inn//I attended a seminar." According to the principle of sentence-driven, it may be translated as follows: "Yesterday//at ten o'clock//I went to the Holiday Inn//attended a seminar." Coupled with the adjustment process, this sentence may be translated into: "I went to the Holiday Inn at 10 yesterday morning//attended a seminar//"
(3) Moderate lead: "Moderate lead" in simultaneous interpretation refers to the skill of "prediction" in the process of interpretation. That is, in the case of incomplete information in the source language, the translator may "translate ahead of time" what he wants to say, thus gaining time and translating synchronously with the speaker. For example, at the opening ceremony of many conferences, there will be such a cliche: "... on behalf of ...//I would like to extend a warm welcome to all the delegates//and wish the conference a complete success! //"In translating this passage, the interpreter can translate the whole sentence according to his own experience." Please allow me to extend our warning and welcome to the participants of this conference on behalf of … "When the speaker says" I would like to represent … ". Hearing "I hope …", I should know that "… this meeting is a success". It is difficult for translators who are not good at "prediction" to do simultaneous interpretation well, because it is not simultaneous interpretation if all the information is accepted during the translation process. Even if the translation can go on, it is intermittent. It is difficult for listeners to receive complete information.
(4) Information reorganization: Information reorganization is the general strategy of simultaneous translation. Beginners of simultaneous interpretation often focus on the translation of "language", and the result is often "stuck". Due to the huge differences between English and Chinese, it is very difficult to translate one by one. Therefore, simultaneous interpretation should follow the principle of translating "information". That is, according to the residence of the source language and the language habits of the target language, the information is reorganized in the target language. For example, the following translated original text: "Over the past few years, people have observed strange behaviors of whales in the South Atlantic. A team of marine scientists. S put forward a new theory to explain this behavior. But in Argentina, people have disputed this theory. After information reorganization, it may be translated as follows: "For several years, people have observed//whales in the South Atlantic//acting strangely. //In order to explain this behavior,//A group of scientists put forward a new theory//. But about the theory//In Argentina//(After years of observation, people found that whales in the South Atlantic behaved strangely. In order to explain this behavior, some scientists put forward a new theory, but this theory caused controversy in Argentina. )
(5) Reasonable simplification: Simplification refers to a translation principle that simultaneous interpreters simplify the language form, explain, summarize and summarize the original information on the basis of not affecting the main information of the original text, or when it is difficult to be understood by the target audience when translating directly into the target language. Simultaneous interpreters should decide how often to use this principle according to the background of the audience. If the audience is unfamiliar with the content of the translation, the translator should keep the jargon as simple as possible. For example, at a meeting to introduce the "EU agricultural policy" to teenagers, something like this appeared: "If the CIF price of products at the community border is lower than the guiding price set by the common market organization, non-tariff profits tax will be levied. If you translate people "faithfully" into any language, young listeners will not understand. According to the principle of simplicity, the French translation is as follows: "If agricultural products enter the Community at a price lower than the official market price of the Community, it is impossible to levy a special agricultural tax". If the price of agricultural products entering Europe is lower than the official European price, a special agricultural tax will be levied. )
(6) Information equivalence: "Faithfulness" has always been regarded as the criterion for testing translation. However, in simultaneous interpretation, it is sometimes difficult to be "faithful" to the original text, and sometimes it is not recognized by the audience. Interpretation is different from translation, which can be conceived and deliberated in enough time. Simultaneous interpretation requires the interpreter to reorganize the received information in a very limited time so that the target audience can understand the speaker's speech. Therefore, in simultaneous translation, it is sometimes difficult to translate words, phrases and sentences in the source language perfectly. What the translator should strive to do is to grasp the main information to be conveyed by the source language speaker according to the accepted words, phrases and text content, and at the same time express it in a language way that is easy for the audience to understand. In other words, in the process of translation, we should achieve the overall "information equivalence". Simultaneous interpretation is the most difficult translation in all kinds of translation activities, and not everyone can be competent. In the tense environment of international conferences, it is not easy for an interpreter to listen and translate continuously. To learn this skill well, you need to have certain conditions, such as strong English listening and speaking ability, good English and Chinese pronunciation and intonation, quick thinking, quick response, interest in international issues and wide knowledge. Simultaneous interpretation is one of the most difficult translation activities. In the tense environment of international conferences, it is not easy for an interpreter to listen and translate continuously. To learn this skill well, you need to have certain conditions, such as strong English listening and speaking ability, good foundation, English and Chinese pronunciation and intonation, quick thinking, quick response, interest in international issues and wide knowledge.
With the rapid increase of international communication, large-scale international conferences have a great demand for high-quality simultaneous interpreters. At present, the number of simultaneous interpreters is far from meeting the growing demand for foreign exchange.
At present, the training of simultaneous interpretation talents in China is mainly accomplished through master's degree education, mainly the master's degree in simultaneous interpretation. The enrollment scale of formal academic education is small, the training period is relatively long, and the entry threshold is high, which can not meet the needs of a large number of talents who already have a certain English foundation but want to master simultaneous interpretation skills quickly and enter the simultaneous interpretation industry.
In addition to being able to communicate in English without obstacles, candidates should also be proficient in two working language systems. In addition, simultaneous interpretation has very high professional requirements for practitioners, such as professional knowledge, flexibility, psychological quality, physical quality and so on. If you want to know something about finance, economy, manufacturing, municipal administration and environmental protection, you should also know the accents of some non-native English speakers, such as the characteristics and ways in which Latin Americans and Indians speak English.
There are few universities in China that can train simultaneous interpreters. The earliest place to train simultaneous interpreters in China was the "Training Course for United Nations Interpreters" (now it has been changed to the Advanced Translation Institute). It is a cooperative training project jointly organized by the United Nations and the Government of China on 1980. Because of the strict requirements, there are only 10 official interpreters in each session, and students will go to Brussels for training after passing the exam. Most of the graduates of this class have done simultaneous interpretation in the United Nations.
Due to the high professional requirements of simultaneous interpretation and the shortage of teachers, only a few foreign language colleges in China cultivate and recruit simultaneous interpretation talents at the postgraduate level. Some social training schools in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan and other cities offer simultaneous interpretation courses. The enrollment situation of Beiwai and Shangwai is introduced as follows.
It is reported that there are currently more than 2,000 professional simultaneous interpreters in the world. China lacks simultaneous interpreters. According to incomplete statistics, there are only about 2,530 professional simultaneous interpreters, most of whom are located in metropolises with frequent international exchanges such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. In recent years, simultaneous interpretation has been listed as one of the talents in short supply. Due to the shortage of food, simultaneous interpretation in the buyer's market will naturally cost a lot. According to professionals, excellent translators can earn 800 dollars a day, and ordinary translators can earn 4000 yuan. Simultaneous interpretation is regarded as one of the "golden collar" industries with the highest gold content.
Demand exceeds supply, and high salary attracts many envious and chasing eyes. How to test simultaneous interpretation? What professional qualities should an applicant have? Is there any relevant qualification examination and training in China? Many people know little about it and are eager to know it. Recently, the author interviewed the admissions officers and related experts of simultaneous interpretation in Beijing Foreign Studies University and Shanghai International Studies University on these issues.
How to receive professional training in simultaneous interpretation
Due to the high professional requirements of simultaneous interpretation and the shortage of teachers, only a few foreign language colleges in China cultivate and recruit simultaneous interpretation talents at the postgraduate level. Some social training schools in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Wuhan and other cities offer simultaneous interpretation courses, such as New Oriental School. The enrollment situation of Beijing Foreign Studies University and Shanghai Foreign Studies University is introduced as follows.
Simultaneous interpretation is the most difficult translation in all kinds of translation activities, and not everyone is competent. The person in charge of the office of Beijing Foreign Studies University told the author that it is not easy for an interpreter to listen and translate continuously in the tense environment of international conferences. To learn this skill well, you need to have certain conditions, such as strong English listening and speaking ability, good English and Chinese pronunciation and intonation, quick thinking, quick response and interest in international issues. In addition to being able to communicate in English without obstacles, candidates must also be proficient in two working language systems. In addition, simultaneous interpretation has very high professional requirements for practitioners, such as professional knowledge, flexibility, psychological quality, physical quality and so on. If you want to know something about finance, economy, manufacturing, municipal administration and environmental protection, you should also know the accents of some non-native English speakers, such as the characteristics and ways in which Latin Americans and Indians speak English.
Interpretation major is an applied graduate student, and the examination is different from other majors, which is very practical. As far as I know, most of the entrance examinations are not listed in the bibliography, and the written examinations do not test theoretical knowledge. The contents of written test are mostly practical contents such as paragraph rewriting, filling in the blanks, writing, English-Chinese two-way translation and comprehensive knowledge test. These all depend on the examinee's usual knowledge accumulation and ability training.
Another particularity of the exam is that the major is mainly based on the candidates' re-examination results. In addition to passing the written test, the oral test, that is, the second interview, is the most important thing in selecting talents. Only the second interview can objectively examine English listening comprehension and oral expression ability.
It is understood that the re-examination content includes:
1. Visual translation: orally translate English manuscripts into Chinese.
2. Retelling: First listen to the English recording twice (time: 3-5 minutes, you can take notes), and then repeat what you have heard in English.
3. Interview.
External re-inspection includes:
1. Speech: Choose one of several topics provided by the examination committee and give an impromptu speech for 2-3 minutes.
2. Retelling: Listen to the speech 1-2 minutes, and then retell the speech in your own words in another language.
3. Visual translation: Listen to a short passage, browse 1 minute, and then translate its content orally.
4. Question and answer and dialogue.
expert opinion/advice
The author interviewed relevant experts on the feasibility of applying for simultaneous interpretation for non-foreign language majors. Experts believe that most domestic simultaneous interpreters are undergraduate foreign language graduates. However, many well-known international interpreters are not all "trained". For example, a well-known French interpreter is a doctor of mathematics. Colleges and universities welcome and encourage non-foreign language majors to apply, but simultaneous interpretation is the top of the pyramid after all. I hope candidates can do what they can and make rational choices, such as applying for other levels of interpretation training (business interpretation, etc.). ), so as not to return in vain and gain little.
Because this major is complicated, if you want to pass the relevant exams, you'd better have systematic professional training. In addition, according to international practice, senior United Nations personnel and experts should be invited to serve as judges. Becoming a simultaneous interpreter will never happen overnight. Internationally, there is the International Association for Simultaneous Interpretation (AIIC), an industry organization. Founded in 1953, this association is the only professional association of conference interpreters in the world. It is responsible for examining and identifying the professional qualifications and language combinations of conference interpreters, formulating their professional rules, working conditions, professional ethics and vocational training standards, popularizing the best practices of conference interpretation, and conducting collective negotiations with international organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union to determine the treatment of conference interpreters. AIIC membership is widely regarded as the highest professional certification for conference interpreters. At present, AIIC has more than 2,600 members all over the world, and there are 20 members in Chinese mainland, including 5 in Shanghai. Peide Jinxiu English simultaneous interpretation training class thinks that English shorthand is the basic skill of English simultaneous interpretation, so it is very important to learn English shorthand well! ! English shorthand, as its name implies, is a symbol system used to record English pronunciation. 1888, American John robot Greg invented English shorthand with 20 basic shorthand symbols. Every year, 654.38+0 million people all over the world are learning English shorthand. English shorthand has made great contributions to the American business revolution.