Syntactic linearity in simultaneous Interpretation

This lesson aims to demonstrate the efficiency of syntactic linearity principle in simultaneous Interpretation.

 

Syntactic linearity has become a basic principle of simultaneous interpretation. In order to avoid the imbalance of energy distribution, interpreters often give translations according to the order of the source language. It can help them reduce the burden of memory and the lag time between translation and speech to the largest extent.

    

Syntactic linearity is to interpret in terms of the language structure and sequence of the source language as far as possible, divide the whole sentence into different sense groups or information units, and then connect them in a natural way. In this way, the meaning of sentences could be expressed accurately.  

 

1.1 Theme and rheme

a) Theme: It refers to the part that is at the beginning of the sentences that lead to the topic, which belongs to the given message (old information).

b) Rheme: It refers to the ingredient except the theme, which is new message; (new information).

Sometimes, there is (a) considerable overlap between the theme and subject in a sentence.

ex:  

1. The term “shopping center”// has been/ evolving since the early 1950s

Sometimes, there might be different parts to act as theme or subject.

ex:

2. Interesting, precisely// the same situation / occurred / in North America in the 1980s

Analyses:

Example 2: Its theme is interesting, precise, the subject is the same situation.

Example 1: This component, which is both the subject and the theme, is called the "unmarked theme". The other one, which is the theme instead of the subject, is called the "marked theme" (example 2)

 

 

1.2 Classification of the theme

a) simple theme

b) Multiple theme

c) Clausal theme

 

1.2.1 Simple theme

Simple theme refers to the topical theme which consists of noun phrases, adverbs, or prepositional phrases. The themes of examples 1 and 2 belong to the simple theme.

 

1.2.2 Multiple theme

Multiple theme is composed of conceptual, interpersonal, and discourse functional components, such as a modal (manner adverb), a finite element, or the vocative element before the topic.

ex:

3. On the other hand, / in my opinion, surely/ shopping center// can thrive east Asia.

(Structural) Discourse / Modal (Interpersonal) / Modal (Interpersonal), Topic (Concept) //

 

1.2.3 Clause theme

Clause theme can also be divided into themes in simple clause and clause complex; compound clause theme is divided into paratactic clause-complex theme and the hypotactic clause-complex theme.

For example, the theme in paratactic clause-complex (ex4) and hypotactic clause-complex (ex5).

 

ex:

4. The movie // was interesting, but I // did not enjoy it

5. while I // know that we have our areas of divergence, // there remains a profound EU interest / in a stable. Prosperous and open China that embraces democracy, free market principles, and the rule of law.

 

 

1.3 There are three main categories of distribution of theme information

a) The theme refers to known information

b) The theme refers to unknown information

c) The theme refers to zero information

Skills：“segmentation / analysis and dissection（phrasing）

The following example sentence: the italic part before the double slash(// )is the theme, the single slash(/) indicates the segmentation, () represents pauses and stores , the additional information with a plus sign(+)and the omission of the minus sign (-).

 

1.3.1 The primary represents known information

1.3.1.1 Theme in the simple declarative clause

ex:

6. Our outstanding achievement // is without doubt / the stability.

【译文】：我们最大的成就//毫无疑问/就是稳定。

7. I have been asked to speak on the role of the Europe Union, in a changing world.

【译文】：我们//受邀来谈谈欧盟的作用，/在这个瞬息万变的世界上+扮演的角色。

8. Our outstanding achievement // is without doubt the stability that the creation of the EU has brought // to the whole European continent.

【译文】：我们最大的成就//毫无疑问/就是稳定/,欧盟的建立将稳定带给了整个大陆。

 

1.3.1.2 Theme in yes/no question

9. Can you give me your latest catalogs / with detailed prices?

【译文】：你能//给我你们最新的产品目录/和详细价格表吗？

 

1.3.1.3 Theme realized by the functional elements in the imperative clause

10. let’s // work together / toward a complete success of the conference.

【译文1】：让我们//共同努力，+（争取）本次大会的圆满成功！

【译文2】让我们//一起为本次大会的圆满成功而努力！

11.  I come to china / at an important time.

【译文1】我/来到中国，在一个重要的时刻。

【译文2】我/来到中国，恰逢一个重要的时刻。

 

 

1.3.2 Theme carrying new information

1.3.2.1 the thematic fronting in the simple declarative clause given special emphasis

12. Interestingly, precisely// the same situation / occurred / in North America in the 1980s.

【译文】有趣的是//完全相同的情况也出现在/上世纪八十年代的北美洲。

13.  This design // I am not fond of.

【译文】这个设计//我不喜欢。

 

1.3.2.2 the theme in the inversion

14.  Only when I see with my own eyes the beauty of it // will I decide to invest.

【译文】只有当我亲眼见识它的美丽//我才会决定投资。

 

1.3.2.3 the theme in the wh-question

15.  So what // are the keys in to the integration?

【译文】那么什么/是一体化的关键呢？

 

1.3.2.4 theme in the exclamatory clause

16.  What a great idea // it is!

【译文】多好的主意啊（这是）！

 

1.3.2.5 theme in the cleft-clause

17.  It is in the spirit of friendly cooperation, mutual promotion and common prosperity // that I extend to you the warmest welcome.

【译文】（+本着）友好合作，共同促进，共同繁荣的精神，//我向各位致以最热烈的欢迎！

 

1.3.2.6 passive voice

18.  The problem of refugees // should be dealt with in an integrated manner

【译文】难民问题的处理//，应采用综合的方法。(The verb is converted into part of the theme)

19.  The Olympic spirit // is characterized by…

20.  Liberalization of trade and investment // has been influenced / by the expansion and intensification of regional integration of efforts.

【译文】贸易和投资的自由化//已经受影响。（+因为）区域一体化的努力普遍加强了。

(by was translated into a sentence guided by "because")

21.  proposals // are made to improve political dialogue through more clearly focusing on existing mechanisms.

【译文】：有人建议（n.→v.+ subject）//应该促进政治对话，方法是进一步强调现存机制。

 

1.3.2.7 hypotactic clause

In English, the subject is usually followed by the preceding clause in a collection consisting of two or more events. It was an unmarked theme when a dependent clause precedes. Meanwhile, it was a marked theme when an independent dependent clause precedes. It is common to reorder the sentence when translating the English master from a hypotactic clause into Chinese, because the Chinese habit turns the clause into an unmarked theme. In a literal translation, the translator can only wait or cut sentences into more small clauses.  

22.  The conference // will resume at 6 p.m. // after the board directors // have met privately.

【译文】会议/下午六点继续进行，在此之前董事会//要先碰碰头。

23.  Our work // would not have been so successful / if we // haven’t received the support of Canadians.

【译文】我们的工作（等待）如果没有得到（停顿）加拿大人的帮助就不可能这么成功。

顺译：我们的工作之所以这么成功，多亏了加拿大人的帮助。

 

 

1.3.3 theme carrying zero information

24. It // was not long / before John tried to break all his promises.

【译文】没有多久（不久），约翰就想撕毁全部字据。

25.  It // is very difficult / to reach a consensus on it.

【译文】很难就这个问题，达成一致意见。

26. There has been a tendency to assume that infrastructural concerns can be resolved by the advent of newer and more expensive technologies.

【译文】现在的趋势就是/认为基础设施落后的问题/可以有更新更昂贵的科技来解决。

 

 

 

2.1 Syntactic linearity and segmentation

Segmentation is to cut the sentence into several parts according to the appropriate sense groups or concept units in simultaneous interpretation and then, translate them into Chinese. The basic requirement of the syntactic linearity is to make a proper segmentation of the original sentence. A segmentation is not only a break, its ultimate purpose is to connect several groups for easy translation.

 

27. Foreign firms have increasingly turned to china // to supply parts or make products, // and such deals have been a hot political topic in the run-up to the US presidential elections // as industry groups worry about losing ground to low-cost Chinese competitions.

【译文】外国企业越来越多地转向中国，或提供部件，或制造产品。而这类交易成了美国总统竞选前期的一个热门话题，因为一些行业担心在中国低成本的竞争前处于下风。

 

 

2.2 Syntactic interpretation and Repetition

Because English sentences are connected by linking verbs. Sentences tend to be longer, more inclusive, logically tight. In simultaneous interpretation, if an interpreter interprets according to the order of long English sentences, there may be Chinese sentences with extra long attributives or adverbials, which are not feasible in Chinese.Because Chinese emphasizes parataxis and does not have so many conjunctions, repetition is very common in Chinese. In short, repetition is almost the skill that every interpreter uses in the English-Chinese biography.

 

28. To our great amazement, this country boasts at two-decade persistence economic growth, which is unequalled elsewhere in the world.

顺译：使我们惊讶的是，这个国家保持了二十年经济增长，这种持续二十年经济增长在世界上其他的地方是没有的。

This sentence repeats "twenty years of economic growth" ;If you interpret it into Chinese in the original order “使我们惊讶的是，这个国家保持了二十年经济增长，是在世界上其他地方不可比拟的”. This is not in line with Chinese habits and grammar.

 

 

2.3 Interpretation and conversion

Conversion refers to the conversion of word classes here. This skill is commonly used in interpretation. Comparing the different expressions of the two languages, it is easy to find that Chinese verbs are used frequently. It is very common that verbs are used together and reduplicated. Verbs embody the style of Chinese. The phenomenon of " nominalizations " in English is more prominent: nouns, prepositions, participles, which are used more frequently. Especially in more formal occasions, speakers often give speeches in a static way. Therefore, where these non-verbs are used in English, they are often used as verbs in Chinese expressions.

When doing the interpretation in sequence, the interpreters need to do word-based conversion if they neither want to change the sentence's sequence, nor make the sentence stiff and obscure, that is, in agreement with Chinese expression habits. So that the sentence could be natural and smooth.

29. Implementation of international human rights standards is extremely important.

贯彻国际人权法非常重要。(English abstract nouns are interpreted into verbs in Chinese)

30. The Vice Secretary of State has given an oral report on the delegation’s work of arm investigation.

副国务卿口头汇报了该代表团武器检查的工作。(English specific nouns are interpreted into verbs in Chinese)