Considering the important status of the Interpretive Theory and the necessity of a sound interpretation of culture-loaded expressions, this thesis resorts to the Interpretive Theory as a theory basis to explore the acquisition of interpreting culture-loaded words. The thesis will attempt to present an introductory review on interpreting and culture-loaded expressions, including definitions, types of interpretation and culture-bounded terms and the typical previous research, and then the application of the theory in interpretation. Meanwhile, an investigation will be made to explore the interpretation of culture-loaded expressions. Finally, the findings of this study and the analysis of the investigation will be presented in the conclusion part.
2 Literature Review
The research on interpretation is of great theoretical and practical significance and has experienced a long and controversial period. This part is an attempt to review some influential studies and views from different scholars on interpretation and on the interpreting of culture-loaded expressions from the perspective of different theories.
2.1 Research on Interpretation
2.1.1 Definitions of Interpretation
Different scholars hold different views on Interpretation. Zhong Shukong (1984) believes that interpreting could not be merely regarded as a linguistic activity, instead, it should be regarded as an aspect of a larger domain. That is of communication. Tian Jianguo (1985) thinks that interpreting is a special activity promoting the oral communication among people with different languages. Both of them hold the similar view with a French professor-Seleskovitch. From her (1978) perspective, interpreting is communication which contains an analysis of the original and its conversion into a form accessible to the listeners.
From the above definitions, it can be concluded that interpreting serves as a communicative intermediary that transforms one language to another so that people speaking different languages can understand and communicate with each other. Meanwhile, language reflects culture. That is to say, interpretation is responsible for the exchanges between two cultures.
2.1.2 Classifications of the Interpreting
Generally speaking, there are two types of interpretation: consecutive interpreting (CI), and simultaneous interpreting (SI). According to situations and purposes, interpreting can be classified into conference interpreting, interpreting for negotiations, everyday life interpreting and guide interpreting. (Kang Zhifeng, 2012)
From the perspective of Zhang Jiliang (2010), interpretation can be pided into consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting. The former one can be further pided into classic consecutive interpreting and short consecutive interpreting. Simultaneous interpreting is also called liaison interpreting, short consecutive interpreting without notes or dialogue interpreting. It can also be further pided into two types: SI in the booth and whispered interpreting or whispering. Besides, SI in the booth differs from SI with text and SI without text.
(1) Consecutive interpreting
Consecutive interpreting is also called extemporaneous interpreting. The interpreter listens to and understands the source language which could be several sentences, paragraphs or part of the speech. After that, the interpreter immediately interprets them into the target language.
(2) Simultaneous interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting refers to a kind of interpretation which the interpreter translates what the speaker says to audiences in a continual way without any pauses. It can be achieved through sight interpreting, whispering interpreting and video-aid interpreting. Whispering interpreting means the interpreter translates the source language for leaders or senior officers in whispering during the state visit. It is usually used in inpidual communication rather than group meetings. On the other hand, video-aid interpreting is usually used in conferences or big events. The audience can listen to what the speaker says through headphones or other advanced electronic devices.