Figures of speech in economic discourse in the aspect of simultaneous interpreting (based on analysis of SPIEF texts)
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Introduction 4
Chapter 1. Functioning and Simultaneous Rendering of Figures of Speech in Economic Discourse 7
1.1 Notion of Economic Discourse in Contemporary Linguistics 7
1.2 Simultaneous Interpreting as a Mode of Interpreting 17
1.3. Exploring Figures of Speech and Their Simultaneous Interpretation 21
Chapter 2. Procedures Used in Simultaneous Interpreting of Figures of Speech... 37
2.1 Characterization of Language Material and Adopted Research Methods 37
2.2 Typology and Characteristics of Compiled Metaphors 41
2.3. Typology of Procedures Used for Rendering Figures of Speech 45
2.4. Analysis of Procedures Used for Rendering Metaphors 48
2.5. Analysis of Procedures Used for Rendering Other Figures of Speech 71
Conclusions of Chapter 2 78
Conclusion 80
References 82
Annex 1. List of Analyzed Panel Talks (SPIEF 2019) 88
Annex 2. List of Analyzed Figures of Speech and Their Rendering 90
Chapter 1. Functioning and Simultaneous Rendering of Figures of Speech in Economic Discourse 7
1.1 Notion of Economic Discourse in Contemporary Linguistics 7
1.2 Simultaneous Interpreting as a Mode of Interpreting 17
1.3. Exploring Figures of Speech and Their Simultaneous Interpretation 21
Chapter 2. Procedures Used in Simultaneous Interpreting of Figures of Speech... 37
2.1 Characterization of Language Material and Adopted Research Methods 37
2.2 Typology and Characteristics of Compiled Metaphors 41
2.3. Typology of Procedures Used for Rendering Figures of Speech 45
2.4. Analysis of Procedures Used for Rendering Metaphors 48
2.5. Analysis of Procedures Used for Rendering Other Figures of Speech 71
Conclusions of Chapter 2 78
Conclusion 80
References 82
Annex 1. List of Analyzed Panel Talks (SPIEF 2019) 88
Annex 2. List of Analyzed Figures of Speech and Their Rendering 90
This qualification research paper examines ways of rendering figures of speech in simultaneous interpreting of economic rhetoric.
Simultaneous interpreting plays an essential role in international life and cross- cultural communication. In a globalized society where interactions occur in diverse languages, the need for accurate and timely interpretation is paramount to ensure mutual understanding and cooperation. This becomes especially crucial when considering the frequent use of figures of speech by speakers. Due to their pervasive presence in spoken language and their profound impact on communication, it is imperative to adequately render figures of speech in simultaneous interpreting. Failing to render figures of speech accurately can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and loss of key information. Therefore, mastering the rendering of figures of speech is essential for interpreters to uphold the coherence and effectiveness of communication across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
The present study is conducted within the paradigm of descriptive interpreting studies, and corpus-based interpreting studies in particular, which is a relevant line of research in modern science. Corpus-based methodology application allows linguists to identify and systematize trends inherent to simultaneous interpretation as a distinct mode of interpreting activity.
The scientific novelty of this qualification research paper lies in its comprehensive analysis of figures of speech in economics within the context of simultaneous interpreting from Russian into English specifically.
The goal of the research is to identify and examine procedures of rendering figures of speech in simultaneous interpreting from Russian into English in economic discourse. The stated goal implies accomplishing the following objectives:
1. To review the existing definitions of economic discourse in modern linguistics, provide a working definition of the concept and define its framework for the research.
2. To determine the specifics of simultaneous interpreting as a mode of interpreting activity.
3. To ascertain the essence of figures of speech, their types and functions and establish aspects of their use in economic discourse.
4. To identify figures of speech used by speakers in the analyzed panel talks, provide their typology and characteristics.
5. To identify equivalents of these figures of speech in interpretation texts and analyze what changes they undergo during simultaneous interpreting.
6. To establish trends of employing certain procedures by simultaneous interpreters when rendering figures of speech and systematize findings in a typology of interpretation procedures.
The object of the research is the figures of speech used by Russian speakers at the panel talks held during the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2019 and their equivalents in simultaneous interpretation into English. The subject of the research is the procedures employed by simultaneous interpreters when rendering figures of speech, their specifics, and results of their use.
The source of the linguistic material for this paper is the transcripts of the panel talks in Russian and their simultaneous interpretation into English during the SPIEF 2019. The analyzed transcripts are sourced from the Russian-English Simultaneous Interpreting Corpus (RESIC), an ongoing research project aimed at developing a parallel corpus of Russian and English texts simultaneously interpreted into English and Russian respectively. The research is conducted based on the material of 245 figures of speech and their correspondences in interpretation texts, which are compiled by the method of continuous sampling. The research is also conducted by methods of translational, comparative, semantic, stylistic, contextual, corpus, linguopragmatic and quantitative analysis.
The research qualification paper consists of an introduction, two chapters, a conclusion, and two annexes. The first chapter “Functioning and Simultaneous Rendering of Figures of Speech in Economic Discourse” reviews theoretical issues related to the concept of figures of speech, their functioning in modern economic discourse and simultaneous interpreting. The second chapter “Procedures Used in Simultaneous Interpreting of Figures of Speech” gives an overview of what procedures are employed by interpreters to render figures of speech when interpreting simultaneously from Russian into English. The conclusion summarizes the results of the findings and defines prospects of research in the field. References used in the research are provided at the end of the qualification research paper. Annex 1 contains the list of the analyzed panel discussions, and Annex 2 encompasses the list of the analyzed figures of speech.
Simultaneous interpreting plays an essential role in international life and cross- cultural communication. In a globalized society where interactions occur in diverse languages, the need for accurate and timely interpretation is paramount to ensure mutual understanding and cooperation. This becomes especially crucial when considering the frequent use of figures of speech by speakers. Due to their pervasive presence in spoken language and their profound impact on communication, it is imperative to adequately render figures of speech in simultaneous interpreting. Failing to render figures of speech accurately can lead to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and loss of key information. Therefore, mastering the rendering of figures of speech is essential for interpreters to uphold the coherence and effectiveness of communication across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
The present study is conducted within the paradigm of descriptive interpreting studies, and corpus-based interpreting studies in particular, which is a relevant line of research in modern science. Corpus-based methodology application allows linguists to identify and systematize trends inherent to simultaneous interpretation as a distinct mode of interpreting activity.
The scientific novelty of this qualification research paper lies in its comprehensive analysis of figures of speech in economics within the context of simultaneous interpreting from Russian into English specifically.
The goal of the research is to identify and examine procedures of rendering figures of speech in simultaneous interpreting from Russian into English in economic discourse. The stated goal implies accomplishing the following objectives:
1. To review the existing definitions of economic discourse in modern linguistics, provide a working definition of the concept and define its framework for the research.
2. To determine the specifics of simultaneous interpreting as a mode of interpreting activity.
3. To ascertain the essence of figures of speech, their types and functions and establish aspects of their use in economic discourse.
4. To identify figures of speech used by speakers in the analyzed panel talks, provide their typology and characteristics.
5. To identify equivalents of these figures of speech in interpretation texts and analyze what changes they undergo during simultaneous interpreting.
6. To establish trends of employing certain procedures by simultaneous interpreters when rendering figures of speech and systematize findings in a typology of interpretation procedures.
The object of the research is the figures of speech used by Russian speakers at the panel talks held during the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2019 and their equivalents in simultaneous interpretation into English. The subject of the research is the procedures employed by simultaneous interpreters when rendering figures of speech, their specifics, and results of their use.
The source of the linguistic material for this paper is the transcripts of the panel talks in Russian and their simultaneous interpretation into English during the SPIEF 2019. The analyzed transcripts are sourced from the Russian-English Simultaneous Interpreting Corpus (RESIC), an ongoing research project aimed at developing a parallel corpus of Russian and English texts simultaneously interpreted into English and Russian respectively. The research is conducted based on the material of 245 figures of speech and their correspondences in interpretation texts, which are compiled by the method of continuous sampling. The research is also conducted by methods of translational, comparative, semantic, stylistic, contextual, corpus, linguopragmatic and quantitative analysis.
The research qualification paper consists of an introduction, two chapters, a conclusion, and two annexes. The first chapter “Functioning and Simultaneous Rendering of Figures of Speech in Economic Discourse” reviews theoretical issues related to the concept of figures of speech, their functioning in modern economic discourse and simultaneous interpreting. The second chapter “Procedures Used in Simultaneous Interpreting of Figures of Speech” gives an overview of what procedures are employed by interpreters to render figures of speech when interpreting simultaneously from Russian into English. The conclusion summarizes the results of the findings and defines prospects of research in the field. References used in the research are provided at the end of the qualification research paper. Annex 1 contains the list of the analyzed panel discussions, and Annex 2 encompasses the list of the analyzed figures of speech.
This qualification research paper explored figures of speech and their rendering in simultaneous interpretation based on the analysis of the SPIEF 2019 panel discussions taken from the RESIC. The goal of the research was to identify and examine procedures of rendering figures of speech in simultaneous interpreting of speeches from Russian into English in economic discourse.
In order to achieve this goal a comprehensive examination of the existing definitions of economic discourse within contemporary linguistics was conducted, resulting in the formulation of a working definition of the concept within the framework of the thesis. The specific characteristics of simultaneous interpreting as a mode of interpreting activity were investigated, aiming to distinguish its unique features. The fundamental essence of figures of speech, encompassing their various types and functions, was explored to ascertain their significance within economic discourse.
The figures of speech employed by speakers during various SPIEF panel discussions were identified and classified based on their typology and distinctive characteristics. Equivalents of these figures of speech in interpretation texts were identified, and an in-depth analysis was conducted to discern the modifications they underwent during simultaneous interpreting. Trends in the utilization of specific procedures by simultaneous interpreters when rendering figures of speech were established, leading to the development of a systematic typology of interpretation procedures. This systematic approach aimed to enhance understanding of the procedures employed by interpreters in conveying figurative language effectively during simultaneous interpretation.
The obtained statistical data signified that a considerable number of figures of speech had been retained during simultaneous interpreting (64%), with the remaining 36% being reduced to the explanation of their meaning or omitted in the interpretation. These results indicate that simultaneous interpreters have the capability to process and transmit figures of speech effectively, either by maintaining their original form or by adapting them, even when faced with time constraints and increased cognitive workload.
Taking into account the prevalence of metaphors in the analyzed language material, their key role in economic discourse and the variety of ways in which they can be rendered the decision was made to focus research on their rendering in the aspect of simultaneous interpretation. The analyzed metaphors were divided into categories based on their structure (simple and sustained) and degree of novelty of their created image (trite and genuine).
Upon examination, it was observed that trite imagery is much more likely to be omitted or reduced to the explanation of meaning compared to genuine imagery, primarily due to the repetitive nature of cliched metaphors, which have been overused and have lost their freshness and originality. Conversely, genuine metaphors offer vivid imagery and have the ability to express ideas in a fresh and innovative way. Hence, it is crucial to retain them during simultaneous interpreting.
A promising avenue for future research in this domain involves the development of an algorithm for rendering figures of speech, with a particular focus on metaphors, within the context of simultaneous interpreting. Such an algorithm would aim to systematize and optimize the process of interpreting figurative language, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of interpretation. Additionally, the development of such an algorithm could contribute to the standardization of interpretation practices, offering guidance and consistency in the treatment of figures of speech across diverse linguistic contexts.
In order to achieve this goal a comprehensive examination of the existing definitions of economic discourse within contemporary linguistics was conducted, resulting in the formulation of a working definition of the concept within the framework of the thesis. The specific characteristics of simultaneous interpreting as a mode of interpreting activity were investigated, aiming to distinguish its unique features. The fundamental essence of figures of speech, encompassing their various types and functions, was explored to ascertain their significance within economic discourse.
The figures of speech employed by speakers during various SPIEF panel discussions were identified and classified based on their typology and distinctive characteristics. Equivalents of these figures of speech in interpretation texts were identified, and an in-depth analysis was conducted to discern the modifications they underwent during simultaneous interpreting. Trends in the utilization of specific procedures by simultaneous interpreters when rendering figures of speech were established, leading to the development of a systematic typology of interpretation procedures. This systematic approach aimed to enhance understanding of the procedures employed by interpreters in conveying figurative language effectively during simultaneous interpretation.
The obtained statistical data signified that a considerable number of figures of speech had been retained during simultaneous interpreting (64%), with the remaining 36% being reduced to the explanation of their meaning or omitted in the interpretation. These results indicate that simultaneous interpreters have the capability to process and transmit figures of speech effectively, either by maintaining their original form or by adapting them, even when faced with time constraints and increased cognitive workload.
Taking into account the prevalence of metaphors in the analyzed language material, their key role in economic discourse and the variety of ways in which they can be rendered the decision was made to focus research on their rendering in the aspect of simultaneous interpretation. The analyzed metaphors were divided into categories based on their structure (simple and sustained) and degree of novelty of their created image (trite and genuine).
Upon examination, it was observed that trite imagery is much more likely to be omitted or reduced to the explanation of meaning compared to genuine imagery, primarily due to the repetitive nature of cliched metaphors, which have been overused and have lost their freshness and originality. Conversely, genuine metaphors offer vivid imagery and have the ability to express ideas in a fresh and innovative way. Hence, it is crucial to retain them during simultaneous interpreting.
A promising avenue for future research in this domain involves the development of an algorithm for rendering figures of speech, with a particular focus on metaphors, within the context of simultaneous interpreting. Such an algorithm would aim to systematize and optimize the process of interpreting figurative language, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of interpretation. Additionally, the development of such an algorithm could contribute to the standardization of interpretation practices, offering guidance and consistency in the treatment of figures of speech across diverse linguistic contexts.
