This book examines conference-level simultaneous interpreting from a signed language into a spoken language, drawing on Auslan (Australian Sign Language)-to-English simultaneous interpretation data to explore the skills, knowledge, strategies, and cognitive abilities needed for effective interpretations in this language direction.
As simultaneous interpreting from a spoken language into a signed language is the widely accepted norm within the field of signed language interpreting, to date little has been written on simultaneous interpreting in the other language direction. In an attempt to bridge this gap, Wang conducts microanalysis of an experimental corpus of Auslan-to-English simultaneous interpretations in a mock conference setting to investigate different dimensions of quality assessment, interpreting strategies, cognitive load, and the interpreting process itself. The focus on conference-level simultaneous interpreting not only allows for insights into the impact of signed language variation on the signed-to-spoken language simultaneous interpreting process but also sheds light on the unique demands of conference settings such as the requirement of using a formal register.
Acting as a bridge between spoken language interpreting studies and signed language interpreting studies and highlighting implications for future research on simultaneous interpreting of other language combinations (spoken and signed), this book will be of interest to scholars in translation and interpreting studies as well as active practitioners in these fields.
Author(s): Jihong Wang
Series: Routledge Advances in Translation and Interpreting Studies, 60
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2021
Cover
Half Title
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: Setting the Stage
1.1 An Unforgettable Experience
1.2 Interpreting Deaf Professionals’ Signed Monologues into Spoken Languages
1.3 Research Questions of This Study
1.4 The Significance of This Study
1.5 Book Structure
Notes
References
Chapter 2: Overview
2.1 Directionality in Signed Language Interpreting
2.2 Simultaneous Interpreting from a Signed Language into a Spoken Language
2.3 Cognitive Load in Simultaneous Interpreting
2.3.1 Cognitive Load
2.3.2 Cognitive Load Models of Simultaneous Interpreting
2.3.3 Working Memory and Simultaneous Interpreting
2.4 Gile’s Effort Model of Simultaneous Interpreting and ‘Tightrope Hypothesis’
2.5 Adapting Gile’s Effort Model
2.6 Processing Time in Simultaneous Interpreting
2.6.1 Temporal Range of Processing Time
2.6.2 Variability in Processing Time
2.6.3 External and Internal Factors That Influence Processing Time
2.6.4 Relationship Between Processing Time and Simultaneous Interpreting Performance
2.7 Numbers as a Problem Trigger in Simultaneous Interpreting
2.8 Strategies in Simultaneous Interpreting
2.8.1 Comprehension Tactics, Preventive Tactics, and Reformulation Tactics
2.8.2 Literal Interpretation and Free Interpretation
2.8.3 Strategic Omissions
2.8.4 Strategic Additions
2.9 Summary
Notes
References
Chapter 3: Methodology
3.1 The Auslan Source Text
3.2 Creating an Experimental Corpus
3.2.1 The Interpreters
3.2.2 Auslan-to-English Interpretation Data Capture
3.3 Analytic Assessment of Simultaneous Interpreting Performance
3.3.1 External Raters
3.3.2 Developing an Assessment Rubric
3.3.2.1 Selecting Assessment Criteria
3.3.2.2 Determining Weightings
3.3.2.3 Defining the Rating Scale
3.3.2.4 Writing Level Descriptors
3.3.3 External Raters’ Analytic Assessment Process
3.4 Microanalysis of the Interpretation Corpus Using ELAN and Excel
3.5 Thematic Analysis of the Retrospective Interview Data
Notes
References
Chapter 4: Quality, Self-perceived Challenges, and Self-reported Strategies
4.1 External Raters’ Scores for the Interpreters
4.2 Native Signers Versus Non-native Signers
4.3 Self-perceived Challenges
4.3.1 Signed Language Comprehension Problems
4.3.1.1 International Sign, Unfamiliar Signs, and Sign Variation
4.3.1.2 The Deaf Presenter’s Signing Style
4.3.1.3 Unfamiliarity with the Subject Matter
4.3.2 Cognitive Overload
4.3.3 Target Speech Production Difficulties
4.3.3.1 Trying to Produce Comprehensible English Sentences
4.3.3.2 Using a Formal Register in English
4.3.3.3 Maintaining Coherence in the Target Speech
4.3.4 Artificial Testing Conditions
4.4 Self-reported Strategies
4.5 Discussion
4.5.1 Native Signers and Non-native Signers
4.5.2 Improving Signed Language Comprehension
4.5.3 Enhancing Native Language Proficiency
4.5.4 Cognitive Overload and Interpreting Strategies
4.5.5 Familiarity and Designated or Preferred Interpreters
4.6 Summary
Notes
References
Chapter 5: Processing Time Regarding Sentence Beginnings, Numbers, and Negation
5.1 Measuring Processing Time on 40 Auslan Sentences
5.2 Variability in Onset Processing Time
5.3 Accuracy of Interpreting Numbers and Processing Time Regarding Numbers
5.3.1 Error Taxonomy for Number Interpretations
5.3.2 Accuracy Rate of Interpretations of Individual Numbers
5.3.3 Accuracy Rate of Interpretations of Numbers in Clusters
5.3.4 Processing Time for Accurate Interpretations of a Number Versus Processing Time for Inaccurate Interpretations of the Number
5.4 Onset Processing Time Versus Number Processing Time
5.5 Consequences of Excessively Short Onset Processing Time
5.6 Corollaries of Exceptionally Long Onset Processing Time and Tail-to-tail Span
5.7 Interrelation Between Processing Time and Interpreting Strategies
5.8 Discussion
5.9 Summary
Notes
References
Chapter 6: Cognitive Overload and Coping Strategies Regarding Numbers
6.1 Cognitive Overload and Sentence-level Accuracy Regarding Numbers
6.1.1 Number Accuracy Versus Sentence-Level Accuracy
6.1.2 Sentence Accuracy Versus Segment Accuracy
6.2 Free and Literal Interpretations for Coping with Numbers in the Middle of Sentences
6.2.1 Long Processing Time, a Lack of Suppression, Self-correction, and Free Interpretation
6.2.2 Short Processing Time and Literal Interpretation
6.3 Coping Strategies for Numbers Near or at the End of Sentences
6.3.1 Topic-Comment Structure and Numbers
6.3.1.1 Use of Different Strategies and Printed PowerPoint Slide
6.3.1.2 Use of Strategic Additions and Linearity
6.3.2 Pseudo-Cleft Structure and Numbers
6.3.2.1 Coping Strategies, Self-correction, and Cognitive Overload
6.3.2.2 Literal Interpretation, Strategic Additions, and Unjustifiable Omissions
6.4 Summary
Notes
References
Chapter 7: Cognitive Overload and Coping Strategies Regarding End Negation
7.1 Cognitive Overload and Sentence-Level Accuracy Regarding End Negation
7.2 Coping Strategies for End Negation
7.2.1 Long Onset Processing Time and Free Interpretation
7.2.2 Switch from Free Interpretation to Literal Interpretation
7.2.3 An Exception: Use of Short Processing Time and Pause to Cope with End Negation
7.2.4 Prediction
7.3 Discussion of Results
7.4 Comments on the Local Analysis
7.5 Summary
Note
References
Chapter 8: Summary and Recommendations
8.1 Answers to the First Research Question
8.2 Answers to the Second Research Question
8.3 Answers to the Third Research Question
8.4 Key Knowledge and Skills for Success
8.5 Strengths and Limitations of This Study
8.6 Implications of the Findings
8.6.1 Implications for Deaf Professionals
8.6.2 Implications for Signed Language Interpreters Working at Formal Settings
8.6.3 Implications for Spoken and Signed Language Interpreters in General
8.7 Suggestions for Further Research
8.8 Final Thoughts
References
Appendices
Appendix A Auslan Transcription Conventions
Appendix B Auslan Source Text and a Literal English Translation
Deaf People And Human Rights
Deaf People And Human Rights
Spontaneous Introduction to the Un Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Appendix C Pseudonyms and Educational/Professional Details of Participants
Appendix D A Rubric for Assessing Auslan-to-English Simultaneous Interpreting Performance
Author Index
Subject Index
