Allameh Tabataba’i University
 
 
 
Faculty of Persian Literature and Foreign Languages
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interpreter-Training-Specific Techniques:
 
 
 
A Didactic Approach
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A Dissertation Submitted
 
 
 
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
 
 
 
the Degree of Ph.D. in Translation Studies
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advisor: Dr. Kambiz Mahmoodzadeh
 
 
 
Readers: Dr. Farzaneh Farahzad
 
 
 
Dr. Gholam Reza Tajvidi
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
February 2015
 
 
برای رعایت حریم خصوصی نام نگارنده پایان نامه درج نمی شود
 
 
(در فایل دانلودی نام نویسنده موجود است)
 
 
تکه هایی از متن پایان نامه به عنوان نمونه :
 
 
(ممکن است هنگام انتقال از فایل اصلی به داخل سایت بعضی متون به هم بریزد یا بعضی نمادها و اشکال درج نشود ولی در فایل دانلودی همه چیز مرتب و کامل است)
 
 
Abbreviations
 
 
 
CI……………..….consecutive interpreting
 
 
 
CA…………….….processing capacity available for coordination
 
 
 
CR…………….….processing capacity requirements for coordination
 
 
 
DF…………….….degree of freedom
 
 
 
EVS………………ear voice span
 
 
 
GE…………….….general English
 
 
 
IT…………….…..interpreted text
 
 
 
LA…………….….processing capacity available for listening
 
 
 
LR…………….….processing capacity requirements for listening
 
 
 
LTM………………long-term memory
 
 
 
MI…………….….multiple intelligences
 
 
 
MA……………….processing capacity available for memory
 
 
 
MR……………….processing capacity requirements for memory
 
 
 
N.…………………number
 
 
 
NS………………..non-significant
 
 
 
P…………….……probability level
 
 
 
PA…………….….processing capacity available for production
 
 
 
PR…………….….processing capacity requirements for production
 
 
 
R…………….……correlation coefficient
 
 
 
R2…………….…..shared variance
 
 
 
S.……………..….significant
 
 
 
SI……………..….simultaneous interpreting
 
 
 
SL…………….….source language
 
 
 
SOV…….……….subject-object-verb
 
 
 
ST…………….….sight translation
 
 
 
ST…………….….source text
 
 
 
STM.…………….short-term memory
 
 
 
SVO…….……….subject-verb-object
 
 
 
TL…………….….target language
 
 
 
TA…………….….total processing capacity available for SI
 
 
 
TR…………….….total processing capacity requirements for SI
 
 
 
TS…………….….translation studies
 
 
 
TT…………….….target text
 
 
 
TTS………………tail-to-tail span
 
 
 
Figures and Tables
 
 
 
Figure 2.1 Gile’s Effort Model of SI 38
 
 
 
Figure 2.2 Processing Capacity Requirements for SI 40
 
 
 
Figure 2.3 Necessary Conditions for SI 42
 
 
 
Table 4.1 GE Test Scores for Experimental Subjects. 122
 
 
 
Table 4.2 GE Test Scores for Control Subjects. 123
 
 
 
Table 4.3 Three Raters’ Scores for Control Subjects on SI Pretest 125
 
 
 
Table 4.4 Three Raters’ Scores for Experimental Subjects on SI Pretest 126
 
 
 
Table 4.5 Three Raters’ Scores for Control Subjects on SI Posttest 127
 
 
 
Table 4.6 Three Raters’ Scores for Experimental Subjects on SI Posttest 128
 
 
 
Table 4.7 Pearson Correlation for Raters. 129
 
 
 
Table 4.8 Z Transformation for Data. 130
 
 
 
Figure 4.1 Inter-Rater Reliability Diagram for Control Subjects’ Pretest Scores  131
 
 
 
Figure 4.2 Inter-Rater Reliability Diagram for Experimental Subjects’ Pretest Scores  132
 
 
 
Figure 4.3 Inter-Rater Reliability Diagram for Control Subjects’ Posttest Scores  132
 
 
 
Figure 4.4 Inter-Rater Reliability Diagram for Experimental Subjects’ Posttest Scores  133
 
 
 
Table 4.9 Control Subjects’ SI Pretest Scores. 134
 
 
 
Table 4.10 Experimental Subjects’ SI Pretest Scores. 135
 
 
 
-Test Results for SI Pretest Scores. 138
 
 
 
Table 4.12 Control Subjects’ SI Posttest Scores. 139
 
 
 
Table 4.13 Experimental Subjects’ SI Posttest Scores. 140
 
 
 
-Test Results for SI Posttest Scores. 142
 
 
 
Table 4.15 Experimental Subjects’ SI Improvement Rate. 145
 
 
 
Table 4.16 Linguistic Intelligence Scores for Experimental Subjects. 147
 
 
 
Figure 4.5 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Linguistic Intelligence  150
 
 
 
Table 4.17 Logical-Mathematical Intelligence Scores for Experimental Subjects  153
 
 
 
Figure 4.6 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Logical-Mathematical Intelligence  156
 
 
 
Table 4.18 Visual-Spatial Intelligence Scores for Experimental Subjects. 157
 
 
 
Figure 4.7 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Visual-Spatial Intelligence  160
 
 
 
Table 4.19 Musical Intelligence Scores for Experimental Subjects. 162
 
 
 
Figure 4.8 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Musical Intelligence  165
 
 
 
Table 4.20 Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence Scores for Experimental Subjects  166
 
 
 
Figure 4.9 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence  168
 
 
 
Table 4.21 Interpersonal Intelligence Scores for Experimental Subjects. 170
 
 
 
Figure 4.10 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Interpersonal Intelligence  172
 
 
 
Table 4.22 Intrapersonal Intelligence Scores for Experimental Subjects. 175
 
 
 
Figure 4.11 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Intrapersonal Intelligence  177
 
 
 
Table 4.23 Naturalist Intelligence Scores for Experimental Subjects. 180
 
 
 
Figure 4.12 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Naturalist Intelligence  182
 
 
 
Table 4.24 Correlation between MIs and SI Improvement Rate. 184
 
 
 
Table 4.25 Experimental Subjects’ Degree of Extroversion/Introversion. 186
 
 
 
Table 4.26 Extroversion Degree and SI Improvement Rate. 187
 
 
 
Figure 4.13 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Extroversion. 190
 
 
 
Table 4.27 Introversion Degree and SI Improvement Rate. 192
 
 
 
Figure 4.14 Scatterplot Diagram for SI Improvement and Introversion. 194
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conducted within the framework of causal research model in translation studies, the present experimental work addresses the effect of applying certain interpreter-training-specific techniques (e.g. shadowing, improvisation, anticipation, paraphrasing, split-attention exercises, memory enhancement exercises, etc.) on the quality of simultaneous interpretation by the trainees. Prior to the commencement of the experiment, a standard test of General English (IELTS) was administered to ensure homogeneity. The participants (initially 102 who were later reduced to 70) were all undergraduate translation trainees, of whom 35 received the treatment (experimental group) and the remaining 35 did not (control group). Two tests of simultaneous interpretation (a pretest and a posttest) were conducted and then rated by three raters. T-test results for the pretest (t=0.59) showed there was no significant difference between the two groups whereas t-test results for the posttest (t=5.1) indicated that the experimental group outperformed the control group significantly. Such an improvement is believed to be the outcome of the treatment. The possible relation between experimental subjects’ rate of SI improvement and their multiple intelligences was investigated: as to Gardner’s first five intelligences, no statistically significant correlation was found (verbal-linguistic: -0.03, logical-mathematical: 0.178, visual-spatial: 0.26, musical-rhythmic: 0.06, bodily-kinesthetic: 0.02) while the remaining three were observed to correlate significantly with SI improvement level (interpersonal: -0.49, intrapersonal: 0.482, naturalist: 0.446). The possible relation between SI improvement rate and Jung’s two personality types was also probed into: extroversion turned out to have a correlation of -0.08 (near zero) and introversion correlated to the extent of 0.46; a moderate positive correlation, though statistically non-significant.
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dedication…………………………….………………………..………………………..…I
 
 
 
Acknowledgments…………………….…………………..………………….………..II
 
 
 
Abbreviations……………………………………………..………………………………….III
 
 
 
Figures and Tables…………………………….………..…………………..…………V
 
 
 
Abstract……………………………………………………………………..…………VIII
 
 
 
Table of Contents………………………………………..……………………………..X
 
 
 
CHAPTER 1: Introduction
 
 
 
1.1 Chapter Overview… 2
 
 
 
1.2 Introduction.. 2
 
 
 
1.3 Background of the Problem… 5
 
 
 
1.4 Significance of the Study.. 7
 
 
 
1.5 Purpose of the Study.. 9
 
 
 
1.6 Research Questions. 9
 
 
 
1.7 Research Hypotheses. 10
 
 
 
1.8 Theoretical Framework.. 11
 
 
 
1.9 Limitations and Delimitations. 13
 
 
 
CHAPTER 2: Review of the Related Literature
 
 
 
2.1 Chapter Overview… 19
 
 
 
2.2 Interpreting: Definition and Modes. 20
 
 
 
2.2.1 Simultaneous Interpreting.. 23
 
 
 
2.2.2 Consecutive Interpreting.. 26
 
 
 
2.2.3 Sight Translation.. 28
 
 
 
2.2.4 Simultaneous Interpreting with Text. 31
 
 
 
2.2.5 Liaison Interpreting.. 32
 
 
 
2.2.6 Whispering Interpreting.. 32
 
 
 
2.2.7 Escort Interpreting.. 33
 
 
 
2.3 Simultaneous Interpreting.. 33
 
 
 
of SI. 38
 
 
 
2.3.2 Horizontal vs. Vertical Approaches. 42
 
 
 
2.3.3 EVS and TTS.. 45
 
 
 
2.4 Interpreter-Training Techniques. 52
 
 
 
2.4.1 Shadowing.. 54
 
 
 
2.4.2 Sight Translation.. 59
 
 
 
2.4.3 Consecutive Interpretation.. 60
 
 
 
2.4.4 Split-Attention.. 62
 
 
 
2.4.5 Anticipation.. 68
 
 
 
2.4.6 Improvisation.. 74
 
 
 
2.4.7 Memory-Enhancement. 74
 
 
 
2.4.8 (Simultaneous) Paraphrasing.. 78
 
 
 
2.4.9 Condensation/Compression.. 82
 
 
 
2.5 Multiple Intelligences. 84
 
 
 
2.5.1 Verbal-Linguistic. 86
 
 
 
2.5.2 Logical-Mathematical 87
 
 
 
2.5.3 Visual-Spatial 88
 
 
 
2.5.4 Musical-Rhythmic. 88
 
 
 
2.5.5 Bodily-Kinesthetic. 89
 
 
 
2.5.6 Interpersonal 90
 
 
 
2.5.7 Intrapersonal 90
 
 
 
2.5.8 Naturalist. 91
 
 
 
2.6 Extroversion/Introversion.. 92
 
 
 
CHAPTER 3: Methodology
 
 
 
3.1 Chapter Overview… 97
 
 
 
3.2 Type of Research.. 97
 
 
 
3.3 Experiment. 99
 
 
 
3.3.1 Participants. 99
 
 
 
3.3.1.1 Experimental Group   99
 
 
 
3.3.1.2 Control Group   100
 
 
 
3.3.2 Treatment. 100
 
 
 
3.3.2.1 Memory-Enhancement  102
 
 
 
3.3.2.2 Condensation/Compression   103
 
 
 
3.3.2.3 Improvisation   104
 
 
 
3.3.2.4 Consecutive Interpretation   105
 
 
 
3.3.2.5 Sight Translation   106
 
 
 
3.3.2.6 Split-Attention   107
 
 
 
3.3.2.7 Shadowing   108
 
 
 
3.3.2.8 Anticipation   110
 
 
 
3.3.2.9 (Simultaneous) Paraphrasing   111
 
 
 
3.3.3 Instruments. 112
 
 
 
3.3.3.1 General English Test  112
 
 
 
3.3.3.2 SI Pretest and Posttest  113
 
 
 
3.3.3.3 Multiple Intelligences Test  114
 
 
 
3.3.3.4 Personality Type Test  115
 
 
 
3.4 Data Collection and Analysis. 116
 
 
 
3.4.1 General English Test. 116
 
 
 
3.4.2 SI Pretest and Posttest. 116
 
 
 
3.4.3 Multiple Intelligences and Personality Type Tests. 118
 
 
 
CHAPTER 4: Research Findings, Data Analysis, and Discussion
 
 
 
4.1 Chapter Overview… 121
 
 
 
4.2 GE Test Scores. 121
 
 
 
4.3 SI Test Scores. 124
 
 
 
4.3.1 Inter-Rater Reliability.. 124
 
 
 
-test. 134
 
 
 
-test. 138

 
 
 
 
. 142
 
 
 
4.4 MI and SI Scores Correlation.. 144
 
 
 
4.4.1 Linguistic Intelligence and SI Improvement Rate.. 147
 
 
 
4.4.2 Logical-Mathematical Intelligence and SI Improvement Rate   153
 
 
 
4.4.3 Visual-Spatial Intelligence and SI Improvement Rate.. 157
 
 
 
4.4.4 Musical Intelligence and SI Improvement Rate.. 161
 
 
 
4.4.5 Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence and SI Improvement Rate.. 165
 
 
 
4.4.6 Interpersonal Intelligence and SI Improvement Rate.. 170
 
 
 
4.4.7 Intrapersonal Intelligence and SI Improvement Rate.. 174
 
 
 
4.4.8 Naturalist Intelligence and SI Improvement Rate.. 179
 
 
 
4.5 Personality Type and SI Scores Correlation.. 185
 
 
 
4.5.1 Extroversion and SI Improvement Rate.. 187
 
 
 
4.5.2 Introversion and SI Improvement Rate.. 192
 
 
 
CHAPTER 5: Conclusion
 
 
 
5.1 Chapter Overview… 199
 
 
 
5.2 Research Questions Revisited and Answered.. 199
 
 
 
5.4 Pedagogical Implications. 204
 
 
 
5.5 Suggestions for Further Research.. 207
 
 
 
References…………………..…………………………………………………………211
 
 
 
Appendices……………………..………………………………………………………221
 
 
 
CHAPTER 1
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.1 Chapter Overview
 
 
 
The present chapter outlines the whole work on a small scale. We will first look at a short introduction to and background of the problem, then the significance and purpose of the study will be briefly discussed and finally the questions, hypotheses, and theoretical framework of the present study along with the main limitation and delimitations will be stated.
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.2 Introduction
 
 
 
Translation, considered in its broadest sense, is a practice, with a history thought to be as long as that of mankind, which has had tremendous influences upon man’s life throughout the history. The significance of such a practice in this day and age, duly termed as the age of communication, is far from disputable especially when one considers the role played by translation in all the communications that take place in various contexts. Therefore it is easy to see why the scientific study of translation has gained an unprecedented momentum over the past couple of decades.
 
 
 
No one can be sure when interpreting, in its broadest sense, was first undertaken by human beings. However, it is logical to assume that interpreting is definitely older than translation since the latter came into existence after the invention of some kind of writing system while the former could have existed before that. Pöchhacker (2005, p. 682) makes the following observation in this regard:
 
 
 
Interpreting as the activity of enabling or facilitating communication between speakers of different languages is a millennial practice, with earliest records dating back some five-thousand years (cf. Hermann 1956/2002).
 
 
 
However, for numerous reasons, to be elaborated on by researchers, translation has attracted much more attention in the history than interpreting. As Pöchhacker (2004, as cited in Pöchhacker, 2005, p. 683) states “In the history of scholarship on translation, few authors have reflected specifically on what we now call ‘interpreting’.” (my emphasis) The systematic study of interpreting is rare and cannot be claimed to be older than a number of decades (cf. Seleskovitch, 1999; Shaw et al., 2004; Riccardi, 2005; Pöchhacker, 2005; Lung & Li, 2005; Seeber & Zelger, 2007).
 
 
 
One reason for this could be that there exists a sort of widely-held misconception among people – laypeople to be more precise: anyone who knows two languages well enough can be a translator, and anyone who is a translator can be an interpreter. Schmitz (1988, pp. 273-274, as cited in Ibrahim, 2009, p. 358) makes the following observation regarding this chaotic situation: