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Abstract:
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The process of consecutive interpreting came to be academically analysed right from
the start from two different standpoints: a scientific approach based on empirical
studies, close to the field of natural sciences, and a less tangible approach belonging to
the liberal arts providing principles and assumptions based on introspection and
personal experience. Cooperation in the quest of generally applicable tenets and
conclusions has been rather scant. Our research project aims at analysing consecutive
interpreting from a completely new approach, considering it as a process blending
content from both branches. Interpreting will be regarded as a creative art and
consecutive interpreting will no longer be all about note-taking. Our analysis will prove
how other aspects such as memory and, most especially, improvisation, play a much
more important role in the overall process. Note-taking however still seems to be one of
the most popular concepts to write about and little or no interest focuses on the ability to
improvise. Perhaps because improvising is not considered to be empirical enough?
Improvisation is a skill that encompasses many abilities and techniques that are decisive
throughout the process in an interpreter’s performance and there is actual scientific
research to prove that. Our research leads to the consideration that learning how to
improvise, and thus “letting go”, in fact brings about many positive results.
Improvisation added to consecutive interpreting leads to improved performance as the
activities carried out in one and another require very similar mental processes. It is
about time that science and art start cooperating a little more with each other in order to
make academic and practical studies richer and deeper rather than limited and singletracked |
