Lesson 2

Content Interpretation skill: short-term memory

Effort models Daniel Gile (1995) 能力负荷模式 Two phases of consecutive interpreting: Phase 1: I=L+M+N Phase 2: I=Rem+Read+P

1)Importance of a good memory (several seconds~15 minutes ， 120~220 words/m) 2)Can be trained 3)Memory useful to interpreters: the ability to learn by heart (no) remember things said moments before (yes)

4)Meaning Vs Memory meaning> active memory, shorter to be committed, and once broken from original language form, can stay much longer Vs words > only a faint impression

5)Short-term memory (verbal) Vs Long- term memory(non-verbal) 7-8 discrete info points capacity unlimited 20~30 sec much longer active stowed away, need to be activated 6)In interpreting, memory last only a short time, therefore, STM should be prioritized in memory training

Short-term memory To reproduce the main idea and relevant details of a discourse without taking any notes. Listening Analyzing What, who, when, how, why Basis for note-taking (or else, scattered info)

Memory training a. Source language reproduction b. Target language reproduction c. Shadowing d. Logic analysis

Memory training 1)Develop your own ways of strengthening memory power, retrieval cues (clues for recalling) 2)Must be concentrated on topic under discussion 3)Retrieval cues:  Time order: narrations, stories, history, etc  Spatial order: visualization, eg. 东西南北中，由原及近， 由近及远， etc.  Logic order: logic of reasoning Reproduce the information in different wordings from the original text.