Ear-Voice-Span and Target Language Rendition in Chinese to English Simultaneous Interpretation

EVS對中到英同步口譯之影響

10.29786/STI.200907.0006

張梵(Albert L. Chang)

同步口譯 ； 中到英同步口譯 ； ear-voice span EVS ； 說話速度 ； 誤譯及漏譯 ； Simultaneous interpretation SI ； SI from Chinese to English ； Ear-voice-span EVS ； Speech rate ； Errors and omissions

翻譯學研究集刊

12輯（2009 / 07 / 01）

177 - 217

英文

本研究敘述中到英同步口譯時，所觀察之Ear-Voice Span(EVS)與口譯表現。由於口譯員同步口譯時，需要理解原文方能說出譯文，因此譯文產出比較原文存有時間差，此一時間差稱為EVS。 聆聽原文並決定何時開始說出譯文，是同步口譯重要工作之一，EVS管理也對口譯表現十分關鍵。本研究分析五篇研究所二年級口譯學生的中到英同步口譯，並分析：(1)中到英同步口譯之EVS；(2)說話速度對EVS之影響；及(3)譯文中之誤譯及漏譯情形。 本研究觀察之EVS從最短1.2秒至最高15.7秒不等，每位口譯學生落後講者平均為4.7秒至7.1秒。此外，當講者說話速度變快時，每位口譯學生平均落後時間也為增加；落後時間較長，誤譯及漏譯情況也增加。 本研究希望觀察之結果，對學生口譯訓練能有所幫助。口譯學生必須了解較長EVS之可能影響，並採取適當策略以調整EVS長短。

The paper reports a small-scale observation on ear-voice span (EVS) during simultaneous interpreting (SI) from Chinese to English, where EVS is taken as the lag time between comprehension of the source text (SL) and reformulation of the target language (TL). Waiting and determining when to start TL rendition is a major task in SI, and EVS management is crucial to SI performance. The study analyses five SI interpretations from Chinese into English and explores the following: (1) EVS during Chinese to English SI, (2) the effect of speech rate on the EVS, and (3) errors and omissions in the TL rendition. The observed EVS in this study ranged from a low of 1.2 seconds to a high of 15.7 seconds; the average lag ranged from 4.7 seconds to 7.1 seconds. In addition, when the speaker increased his pace, there was an increase in the average lag among the participants. The study also showed a higher rate of errors and omissions following longer lags. The observed results may be helpful in interpreter training. Interpreter-trainees should be aware of the possible consequences of long EVS's, and take appropriate strategies to regulate the EVS.

1. Barik, H.C.(1975).Simultaneous interpretation: qualitative and linguistic data.Language and Speech,18,272-297.
2. Barik, H.C.(1973).Simultaneous interpretation: temporal and quantitative data.Language and Speech,16(3),237-270.
3. Chernov, G. V.(1979).Semantic aspects of psycholinguistic research in simultaneous interpretation.Language and Speech,22(3),277-296.
4. Dawrant, A.(1996).Fu Jen University.
5. Du, Z.M.,Meng X.C.(2006).Waiting in simultaneous interpretation: an issue open to question.Journal of PLA University of Foreign Languages,29(5),69-73.
6. Gerver, D.(1971).Simultaneous and consecutive interpretation and human information processing.Report HR 566/1, Social Science Research Council, London.
7. Gerver, D.(1975).A psychological approach to simultaneous interpretation.META,20(2),119-128.
8. Gile, D.(1995).Basic concepts and models for interpreter and translator training.Amsterdam:John Benjamins Publishing Co..
9. Gile, D.(1999).Testing the effort models' tightrope hypothesis in simultaneous interpreting - a contribution.Hermes,23,153-172.
10. Gile, D.,Danks, G. M. Shreve(eds.),S. B. Fountain(eds.),M. K. McBeath(eds.)(1997).Cognitive Processes in Translation and Interpreting.Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage.
11. Goldman-Eisler, F.(1972).Segmentation of input in simultaneous translation.Journal of Psycholinguistic Research,1(2),127-140.
12. J. H. Danks(eds.),G. M. Shreve(eds.),G.M. Fountain(eds.),M.K. McBeath(eds.)(1997).Cognitive Processes in Translation and Interpreting.London:Sage Publications.
13. Kade, O.,Cartellieri, C.(1971).Some methodological aspects of simultaneous interpreting.Babel,17(2),12-16.
14. Lederer, M.,D. Gerver(eds.),H. W. Sinaiko(eds.)(1978).Language Interpretation and Communication.New York:Plenum Press.
15. Lee, T.H.(2002).Ear voice span in English into Korean simultaneous interpretation.Meta,47(4),596-606.
16. Li, C.,Thompson, S.(1981).Mandarin Chinese: a functional reference grammar.Berkeley:University of California Press.
17. Moser, B.,Gerver(eds.),H. Sinaiko(eds.)(1978).Language, Interpretation and Communication.New York:Plenum Press.
18. Moser-Mercer, B.,J.H. Danks(eds.),G.M. Shreve(eds.),G.M. Fountain(eds.),M.K. McBeath(eds.)(1997).Cognitive Processes in Translation and Interpreting.London:Sage Publications.
19. Pio, S.(2003).The relation between ST delivery rate and quality in simultaneous interpretation.The Interpreters' Newsletter,12,69-100.
20. Schweda, N.(1987).Linguistic and extralinguistic aspects of simultaneous interpretation.Applied Linguistics,8(2),194-205.
21. Seleskovitch, D.,D. Gerver(eds.),H.W. Sinaiko(eds.)(1978).Language Interpretation and Communication.New York:Plenum Press.
22. Seleskovitch, D.,Lederer, M.,J. Harmer(trans.)(1995).Silver Spring.MD:RID.
23. Yagi, S. M.(2000).Studying style in simultaneous interpretation.Meta,45(3),520-547.

1. 楊承淑(2015)。生手與新手的帶稿同傳產出特徵：以中英財經議題為例。輔仁外語學報，12，1-16。