Application of the Interpretive Theory of Translation to Business Interpretation

Abstract

The Interpretative Theory of Translation (ITT) was first developed on the basis of empirical practice and observation of interpreting. Its core idea is that the interpreter understands the source language and grasps the intention conveyed by the source language, then breaks away from the external form of the source language and expresses the speaker’s intention in idiomatic target language. Business interpretation is characterized by being purposeful, extemporaneous, time-limited, and comprehensive. In view of these features, business interpreter should observe the principles of faithfulness and efficiency. The main purpose of interpretation, according to ITT, is to transfer the information and explain the true intention of the speaker. This paper, on the basis of real example analysis, puts forward two coping strategies—simplification strategy and adaptation strategy, under the guidance of ITT. Simplification means to simplify the content expressed by the speaker without changing the speaker’s real intention, whereas adaptation strategy totally forgets the original structure and tries to express the speaker’s intention. Compared with the simplification strategy, the adaptation strategy is more flexible, but the main purpose of both is to express the true intention of the speakers and promote business activities.