Listeners’ perception of the quality of simultaneous interpreting and perceived dependence on simultaneous interpreting

Interpreting ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew K. F. Cheung
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
The Other ◽  
Simultaneous Interpretation ◽  
Simultaneous Interpreting ◽  
Source Language ◽  
Hong Kong Cantonese ◽  
Negative Feelings ◽  
English Group

Abstract With the rise of the use of English as a lingua franca (ELF), the number of conference speakers and attendees who use English is increasing. Simultaneous interpreting (SI) into and from English may be provided at conferences to meet the needs of individuals with differing levels of English ability. This paper reports on the findings obtained from two sets of experiments that explored the link between listeners’ perceived dependence on SI and their perceptions of its quality. The first set of experiments was conducted onsite and the second using a remote simultaneous interpreting (RSI) setting. Native Hong Kong Cantonese-speaking participants were divided into two groups: one with Russian as the source language (SL) (Russian group) and the other with English as the SL (English group). Both groups listened to the same prerecorded simultaneous interpretation into Cantonese performed by a non-native interpreter. In the onsite setting, the Russian group perceived the non-native-accented interpretation more favorably than the English group did. This suggests that in onsite settings, perceived dependence on SI may be associated with perceptions of its quality; the greater the perceived dependence on SI, the higher the perceived SI quality. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in the RSI setting. Factors such as the inaudible SL in the background, similar levels of perceived dependence, negative feelings about online learning and tensions in the state-society relationship may contribute to the similar quality perception ratings across the two RSI groups.

scholarly journals TRANSLATION POLICIES IN LATVIA DURING THE GERMAN OCCUPATION

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrejs Veisbergs
Keyword(s):  
German Literature ◽  
The Other ◽  
German Occupation ◽  
High Class ◽  
Source Language ◽  
Translation Quality ◽  
Soviet Occupation ◽  
Broad Scope

The period of German occupation in Latvia came after twenty years of Latvian independence and a year of Soviet occupation. The shifts in the translation policies at these critical junctions were incredibly fast. The independence period was marked by a developed translation industry, a variety of the source languages, a variety of kinds of literature, with a broad scope in the quality of the translations. When the Soviets came, they quickly nationalized the publishers, ideologised the system and reshaped the pattern of what was translated. Russian was made the main source language, and other languages were minimized. The share of ideological literature grew exponentially, reaching one third of all books. Soon after the German invasion, the publishers regained their printing houses and publishing was renewed. The percentage of translations was similar to that of the independence period, with German literature making up 70% of the source texts. Most of the other source texts were Nordic and Estonian. Translation quality of fiction was generally high and the print runs grew. There are surprisingly few ideologically motivated translations. The official policies of the regime as regards publishing in Latvia appear to be uncoordinated and vague, with occasional decisions taken by “gate-keepers” in the Ostministerium and other authorities according to their own preferences. There was a nominal pre-censorship, but the publishers were expected to know and sense what was acceptable. In turn the latter played it safe, sticking to classical and serious works to translate and publish. Some high class translations of Latvian classics into German were also published during the period.

scholarly journals Can Machine Translation Assist to Prepare for Simultaneous Interpretation?

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (16) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
Ying Qin ◽  
Chunqing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Machine Translation ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Simultaneous Interpretation ◽  
Simultaneous Interpreting ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

With the rapid development of machine translation, the research of man-machine coordinated translation is drawing much concern. This paper explores roles of machine translation on advance preparation for simultaneous interpreting. We carry out a comparative study on 14 student interpreters, which are divided into experimental group and control group. The students in experimental group are allowed to use machine translation to prepare for a simultaneous interpreting, while the students in control group are not. The experimental results show that errors in machine translation might mislead the student interpreters in the simultaneous interpreting practice. On the other hand, if the time of preparation is limited, it is better not to resort to machine to make preparation because of time-consuming proofreading, or twice the effort would achieve half the result.

scholarly journals EDITORIAL: Learning Technologies in the Era of a Global Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betül Czerkawski
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Teachers And Parents

Since the early days of 2020, learning technologies have been tested by millions of students, teachers, and parents from all levels of education throughout the globe. Many educators discussed learning losses, inability of online learning to mimic real life learning environments, glitches in the technologies, or the boring interface of Zoom meetings. On the other hand, if the pandemic had happened 20-25 years ago, students would have completely lost touch with their peers and would have received no education for more than a year. In this issue, we have two very interesting articles that will guide us as we evaluate the value of digital learning. Both articles show that digital learning and new technologies have potential for advancing the quality of learning in our schools. 

scholarly journals Bridging Pragmatic Gap in Translation Process through Developing Pragmatic Awareness

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Vahid Rafieyan
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
The Other ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Source Text ◽  
Translation Process ◽  
Source Language ◽  
Translation Quality ◽  
Pragmatic Awareness ◽  
Positive Effect

<p>In order for the translator to be able to translate the source text into the target language in a relevant way, the strata of the translated text through which relevance can be obtained (pragmatic, pragmatic-semantic, and semantic strata) should be equalized to that of the source text (Li &amp; Luo, 2004). The translator can achieve this by raising his/her awareness of the source and target language pragmatic perspectives. To investigate the actual effect of developing knowledge of pragmatic perspectives of the source language and the target language on the quality of translation of culture-bound texts, the current study was conducted on 64 Iranian undergraduate students of English translation. The study consisted of three phases: 1) administering a culture-bound text to be translated by all participants, 2) dividing participants into two groups: one merely receiving translation exercises while the other receiving metapragmatic discussions of the pragmatic perspectives of the source language along with translation exercises, and 3) assessing the translation quality of both groups immediately and two months following the treatment. The study revealed the significant positive effect of pragmatic instruction on improving the quality of translation of culture-bound texts and maintaining the obtained knowledge. The pedagogical implications of the findings suggested incorporating the pragmalinguistic and sociopragmatic perspectives of the source language and their distinctions with the pragmalinguistic and sociopragmatic perspectives of the target language into translation classes as an integral part of translation classes.</p>

scholarly journals Interactions between learner’s beliefs, behaviour and environment in online learning: Path analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Enjy Abouzeid ◽  
Rebecca O'Rourke ◽  
Yasser El-Wazir ◽  
Nahla Hassan ◽  
Rabab Abdel Ra'oof ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
Path Analysis ◽  
Online Discussion ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
The Other ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
Regulated Learning ◽  
E Learning

Introduction: Although, several factors have been identified as significant determinants in online learning, the human interactions with those factors and their effect on academic achievement are not fully elucidated. This study aims to determine the effect of self-regulated learning (SRL) on achievement in online learning through exploring the relations and interaction of the conception of learning, online discussion, and the e-learning experience. Methods: A non-probability convenience sample of 128 learners in the Health Professions Education program through online learning filled-out three self-reported questionnaires to assess SRL strategies, the conception of learning, the quality of e-Learning experience and online discussion. A scoring rubric was used to assess the online discussion contributions. A path analysis model was developed to examine the effect of self-regulated learning on achievement in online learning through exploring the relations and interaction among the other factors. Results: Path analysis showed that SRL has a statistically significant relationship with the quality of e-learning experience, and the conception of learning. On the other hand, there was no correlation with academic achievement and online discussion. However, academic achievement did show a correlation with online discussion. Conclusion: The study showed a dynamic interaction between the students’ beliefs and the surrounding environment that can significantly and directly affect their behaviour in online learning. Moreover, online discussion is an essential activity in online learning.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Simultaneous Interpreters’ Speed of Speaking in Persian and the Quality of their Interpreting: A Gender Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Poorandokht Hasanshahi ◽  
Mohsen Shahrokhi
Keyword(s):  
Native Language ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Simultaneous Interpretation ◽  
Simultaneous Interpreting ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Neurological Processes ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Brain

<p>This research sought to investigate the relationship between two complex ways of communicating, i.e., speaking and simultaneous interpreting which manifest complex linguistic and neurological processes undertaken with an incredible speed in the brain. The current study aimed at testing whether there was any significant difference between male and female interpreters’ quality of simultaneous interpretation in relation to their speed of speaking in their native language. To this end, a number of thirty participants were chosen based on their proficiency level out of fifty simultaneous interpreters. To test the research hypotheses both descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The results revealed that there was not any significant difference between male and female interpreters with regard to their quality of simultaneous interpretation. Moreover, with regard to the speed of speaking there was a difference between genders; finally, there was no association between interpreters’ speed of speaking and their quality of interpretation.</p>

Interpretation at the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal: An Overview and Tojo’s Cross-Examination

2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomie Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
World War Ii ◽  
War Crimes ◽  
Japanese Culture ◽  
Simultaneous Interpretation ◽  
Simultaneous Interpreting ◽  
The Us ◽  
Japanese Residents ◽  
Address System ◽  
War Crimes Tribunals

The Tokyo and the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunals were two major international military tribunals organized immediately after World War II. Interpretation at the Nuremberg Trial has been described in a number of papers and books and is considered the origin of simultaneous interpretation. However, with regards to the Tokyo Trial, only the inadequate quality of interpretation has been mentioned in history books and political science publications, and this on very few occasions. This paper begins by offering an overview of the interpretation at the Tokyo Trial through interviews and the records of the proceedings and then analyzes a particular instance of interpretation, namely the cross-examination of Hideki Tojo, who was tried for his significant role in WWII as Minister of War and Prime Minister, and who was finally sentenced to death by the court. The Tokyo Trial was the first instance of an IBM Public Address System (simultaneous interpreting equipment) being installed with an interpreter’s booth in Japan. However, we must recall that it was actually consecutive interpretation that was provided through the use of the IBM system and the booth. Therefore the Tokyo Trial is the origin of the use of simultaneous interpretation equipment, but not the origin of simultaneous interpretation skills in Japan. The records of the proceedings show that twenty-seven Japanese served as interpreters. They were selected on the basis of their good command of English but were definitely laymen in terms of interpretational skills. In order to supervise the Japanese interpreters, four monitors were appointed by the Allied Powers. The monitors, who were second generation Japanese residents in the US, worked for ATIS (Allied Power’s Translation and Interpretation Section) during WWII and were then considered to have a good knowledge of the Japanese language, culture and history. Furthermore, the Language Arbitration System was established to address intractable translation issues related to Japanese culture and pre-war systems. The quality of the interpretation, as far as Tojo’s cross-examination is concerned, can be considered fairly good, if we consider that interpreters and monitors worked together as one unit in the interpretation service. The analysis of the interpretation based on the monitors’ interventions in Tojo’s cross-examination indicates that the monitors were concerned with the accuracy of the English interpretation in court and with the understandability of the Japanese interpretation for the accused and worked to ensure a fair trial.

scholarly journals EDITORIAL: Learning Technologies in the Era of a Global Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Betül Czerkawski
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
The Other ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Teachers And Parents

Since early 2020, learning technologies have been tested by millions of students, teachers, and parents from all levels of education throughout the globe. many educators discussed learning losses, the inability of online learning to mimic real life learning environments, technological glitches, or the boring user&nbsp; interface of Zoom meetings. On the other hand, if the COVID-19 pandemic had happened 20-25 years ago, students would have completely lost touch with their peers and would not have attended any school for more than a year. In this issue, we have two interesting articles that will guide us as we evaluate the value of digital learning. Both articles show that digital learning and new technologies have potential for advancing the quality of learning in our schools.

The Impact of Deregulation on the Quality of IDD Services

2001 ◽  
pp. 149-168
Author(s):  
Xu Yan ◽  
James Y.L. Thong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Specific Region ◽  
The Other ◽  
The Public ◽  
Telecommunications Infrastructure ◽  
Scale Experiment ◽  
Fierce Competition ◽  
The Impact

The introduction of deregulation in IDD service with effect from January 1999 triggered a round of extremely fierce competition in Hong Kong’s IDD market. In response, both the incumbent operator and the new entrants had to adopt aggressive strategies to defend or gain market share. This chapter reports on an intensive experiment of the quality of IDD services provided by the major IDD operators in Hong Kong. An innovative research methodology was designed and 240 members of the public participated in the controlled experiment. Based on 1,790 successful IDD calls to the 10 most popular destinations from Hong Kong, the IDD quality of the major operators was benchmarked. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first large-scale experiment of its kind that had ever been conducted. The experiment revealed some interesting findings. First, the monopoly control of the international gateway by the incumbent operator puts pressure on the other IDD operators to devise an appropriate strategy balancing tariffs against the quality of the IDD line. Second, when competition becomes mature, all IDD operators must place more emphasis on quality. Finally, the full benefits of quality improvement in telecommunications service in a specific region are also subject to the level of development of telecommunications infrastructure in its counterpart economies.

scholarly journals SOURCE LANGUAGE INTERFERENCE WITH TARGET LANGUAGE IN CONFERENCE INTERPRETING

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Alina Dailidėnaitė ◽  
Julija Volynec
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Simultaneous Interpreting ◽  
Source Language ◽  
Lexical Interference

This article describes an experimental study of lexical interference in simultaneous interpreting from English into Lithuanian and from Lithuanian into English. The paper aims to contribute to the literature on language interference in simultaneous interpreting as well as to identify the influence of lexical interference on directionality and quality of simultaneous interpreting. The experiment was carried out with 6 students working in two directions (from English into Lithuanian and from Lithuanian into English). The paper presents the analysis of the types, frequency and gravity of lexical interference. The results of the study suggest that lexical interference is more common and more detrimental to quality when interpreting into the B language. The results also demonstrate that interpreters experience more difficulties when interpreting word equivalents than phraseological units.

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