商务现场口译unit

U n i t T w o

C e r e m o n i a l A d d r e s s

Unit Objectives （单元目标）

After reading this unit, you should

?understand how to make a short-term preparation for the interpreting tasks.

?find ways to improve your interpreting skills and performance.

?master the basic words and expressions about ceremonial address.

?know some cultural background knowledge about ceremonial address.

Preparing

I. Interpreting Skills (口译技能)

Read the following presentation about short-term preparation. Try to

understand what and how to prepare for the interpreting tasks in the

short run. Then complete the following task:

Suppose you are going to work as an interpreter for a businessman who is

going to make a ceremonial address. How are you going to prepare for it and

what questions are you going to ask if you are able to contact the organizer or

the speaker before the interpretation starts? Work in groups and work out a

question list.

Preparing Training (II): Short-term Preparation（短期准备）Short-term preparation in interpreting refers to the job that can only be prepared shortly before the interpreting task is taken. In contrast with long-term preparation, short-term preparation is more direct and concrete, as each interpreting task is different from one another. The interpreter works for different speakers and on different subjects. In real interpreting situations, pre-interpreting preparation is usually referred to as short-term preparation.

What to Prepare?

After an interpreter has accepted an interpreting assignment, they shall start to prepare for the task immediately. Following are the essential items that the interpreter shall prepare.

1. Meeting Documents

The meeting documents are a great help to the interpreters. It is advisable for interpreters to ask the organizer to provide the complete documentation（文件）and background information for the task as early as possible, such as the meeting schedule（时间表）, list of participants（参加者）, introduction of the keynote speakers（主题发言人）etc. He must try to understand “who is the speaker? what is the subject? what is the occasion? who is the audience? and what type of speech is it?”.

2. A Glossary List

After getting the documents, the interpreter is then able to know the topics and subjects he is going to deal with. At this time, an experienced interpreter will work out a list of glossary and terminology（术语）he will potentially encounter in interpreting. A prepared glossary list sometimes helps the interpreter out when he comes across new words.

3. Dictionaries, Notebooks and Pens

Interpreting is often done in an uncertain situation. There are always some words and expressions beyond the interpreter’s mind and preparation. In this case, some classified dictionaries（分类词典）may be of great help. An experienced interpreter always brings certain dictionaries, which they can consult whenever possible. In addition, note-books and pens are also necessary in interpreting. As interpreters usually take notes in interpreting, two top-opening notebooks（竖翻式笔记本）and knock-gell pens（按

压式水笔）are therefore recommended for interpreters to carry. Such note books and pens are easily handled in interpreting situations.

4. Dresses and Name Cards

In addition, interpreters should know the general dress code（着装要求）before the meeting starts. Interpreters are always expected to dress appropriately and behave respectfully when they attend the meeting. Moreover, business cards（名片）are also necessary as interpreters sometimes receive name cards from the organizer and the speakers. Therefore, interpreters should prepare their own cards to offer them in return. Otherwise, it would make them embarrassed.

How to Prepare?

The following three ways are suggested that interpreter do when making short-term pre-interpreting preparation.

1. Read through the Relevant Documents

Before an interpreter begins to work, he should read through the documents he is able to obtain and organize all the documents in an easily recognizable way so that he can find them immediately when the speaker is delivering his speech. If he has translated some of the texts beforehand, he should also classify the translated texts and put them in order.

2. Surf the Internet

There is plenty of information in Internet. By surfing the net, the interpreter may find some important information that is related to the interpreting tasks, such as the background of the key-note speakers; the introduction to the related organizations etc.. It is suggested that interpreters find an Internet access and make full use of it.

3. Contact the Organizer and the Speaker

Briefings（碰头会）are potentially a very useful part of advance preparation. They are meetings organized for the interpreter, with the participation of the organizer and the speakers. At the briefing, the interpreter can ask specific questions and get some general information. Sometimes, some speakers have strong accents. If possible, interpreters should attempt chance to talk personally with such participants before the real task begins so as to be familiar with their accents and improve the accuracy of the interpretation.

4. Prepare a question list

Before taking the interview with the organizer and the speaker, interpreters are supposed to prepare a question list（提问单）in advance, as both the organizer and the speaker are usually rather busy. The questions must be to the point. A prepared question list will be of great help during the interviews. Following is a sample question list:

A Sample Question List

To Organizer:

1.May I have the schedule? Will there be any changes about the schedule?

2.Is it possible for me to have the speakers’ speech drafts or ppt slides?

3.Who will attend the conference? Is there a Q & A session?

4.Who are the key-note speakers? How can I get in touch with them?

To Speaker:

1.How long will the speech last?

2.What are your main points? Are you going to add or cut any points?

3.Are you going to use any technical terms?

4.May I have your draft or ppt slides?

II. Phrase Interpreting (短语口译)

Work on the following words and phrases. Interpret them into Chinese

and English respectively.

A. English to Chinese

1. Take this opportunity

2. Cherish

3. Signing ceremony

4. Witness

5. Extend sincere thanks to….

6. Appreciate

7. Last but not least 8. Enhance

9. At his earliest convenience 10. Workshop

B. Chinese to English

1、司仪

2、嘉宾

3、值此……之际

4、友好使者

5、良好祝愿

6、衷心感谢

7、热情好客8、应……的邀请

9、代表10、无以伦比的

III. Sentence Interpreting （句子口译）

Work on the following sentences. Interpret them into Chinese and

English respectively.

A．English to Chinese

1. I feel honored to come here on my first visit to your beautiful city.

2.I would like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to our host for their earnest

invitation and the gracious hospitality.

3. Although there is a distance of tens of thousands of miles between us, "Long distances separate no

bosom friends", as one of your Tang poets once said.

4. I greatly cherish the close relationship between our two cities. I also greatly value the position we

enjoy as one of your most important trading partners.

5. On behalf of the foreign guests attending this workshop, let me offer a most sincere “thank you”for

you warm and gracious welcome.

B．Chinese to English

1、我代表中国政府和人民，并以我个人的名义，向贵国人民致以亲切的问候和良好的祝愿。

2、我们很高兴，同阁下一道欢庆这个光辉的节日。

3、我真诚地希望彼此之间继续密切合作，发展我们的友好关系，确保我们在经济、金融和贸易

方面的合作持续增长。

4、请允许我借此机会，祝愿市长先生，祝愿出席今晚招待会的所有中国朋友，身体健康.

5、对全世界电脑工业界而言，这是令人兴奋的时刻，我们很高兴能有这个机会来参加研讨会，

谢谢你们的邀请和热情接待。

Performing

I. Decoding--Notes Taking （笔记记录）

Listen to the recordings of Text A. Try to catch the main ideas of the

speech. Note down the key points while you are listening. Then tell the

main ideas of the speech with the help of your notes.

II. Memorizing--Story Retelling （故事复述）

Listen to the recordings of Text A again. Try to catch more details and

improve your notes. Then retell the speech in your own words with the

help of your notes.

III. Encoding--Message Reconstructing（信息重组）

Listen to the recordings of Text A paragraph by paragraph. Take notes

when necessary and start interpreting during the pauses.

Text A 中国的发展亚洲的机遇

尊敬的各位来宾，女士们，先生们，朋友们：

今天，有机会参加博鳌亚洲论坛2004年年会，我感到十分高兴。首先，我代表中国政府，对各位朋友的到来，表示热烈的欢迎！

几年来，在亚洲各国以及国际社会的支持下，博鳌亚洲论坛不断发展，在区域性合作进程中发挥着日渐显著的作用，向世界展示了亚洲人民寻求合作共赢得热切愿望。

我们高兴地看到，亚洲形势总体稳定、和平、发展、合作已成为亚洲前进的主流，经过共同努力，亚洲有关国家摆脱了金融危机的阴影，战胜了非典和禽流感疫情的冲击，经济结构调整取得成效，产业升级换代步伐加快，区域合作方兴未艾抗御风险能力不断增强。亚洲继续是全球最具发展活力的地区之一，也继续是全球贸易的重要增长点之一。我们对亚洲的发展前景充满信心。

女士们，先生们！中国的发展离不开亚洲，亚洲的繁荣也需要中国。中国将坚持和平发展的道路，高举和平、发展、合作的旗帜，同亚洲各国共创亚洲振兴的新局面，努力为人类和平发展的崇高事业做出更大的贡献。谢谢各位。

IV. Coordinating—Field Interpreting （现场口译）

Listen to the recordings of Text B. Take some notes when necessary and

interpret the text with the help of your notes.

Text B

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am extraordinarily happy to have witnessed this signing ceremony today because it symbolizes, for me, exactly the type of cooperation that we need and that is a cooperative endeavor which will bring in more investment and lead to more cooperation.

This is after months of hard work, from developing the concept, soliciting interest from the private sector, encouraging Government departments to offer services, to the signing of the contract today with the establishment of the joint venture: Shenzhen Networking Technology Company (SWTC).

Our partner in this exciting venture has been selected after a rigorous evaluation process and its proposal has been rated the best on the combined technical and financial assessments. SWTC is a joint venture of Star Cooperation and Digital Technological Company: companies with strong technical and marketing expertise and financial background.

Ladies and gentlemen, our vision is to make Shenzhen a leading digital city in the globally connected world in the 21st century. The establishment of SWTC will be an important step towards achieving that.

Packaging

I. Interpreting and Assessment（口译与评估）

Work in groups. Listen to the recordings of Text C. Take some notes

while listening. Interpret the text with the help of your notes. The other

members are expected to evaluate the interpreters’ performance with the

peer’s assessment form.

Text C

尊敬的各位来宾，各位朋友，女士们，先生们：

值此第五届中国投资贸易洽谈会召开之际，我谨代表中国政府，向来自世界各地的嘉宾表示热烈的欢迎！我愿意就加入世贸组织后外商投资中国西部的新机遇，向各位嘉宾作一简要介绍。

二十一世纪的中国，是更加开放的中国。目前，中国政治稳定，经济发展，社会和睦，人民安居乐业。

不久前，北京申办2008年奥运会取得成功，这将与加入世贸组织一起，加速推动中国的改革开放和经济发展。我希望进一步促进外商参与中国西部大开发，推动广大的西部地区加快经济和社会发展的进程。

世界各国的地区不少有远见卓识的企业家，都将目光投向了中国，投向了西部，并从投资活动中获得了丰厚的回报。我们真诚地希望，各国各地区的企业和其他各界人士，抓住历史机遇，积极来华开展投资贸易合作与交流，携手共创美好未来。

Peer's Assessment Form

3.1 Are there any abrupt beginnings or endings? □□□□

3.2 Is the performance incoherent? □□□□

3.3 Is the message implausible or illogical? □□□□

4. Loyalty

4.1 Are there any significant omissions? □□□□

4.2 Are there any unjustified changes? □□□□

4.3 Are there any unjustified additions? □□□□

II. Feedback and Comments （反馈与评论）

After you finish the interpretation, tell your classmates and teacher how

you feel about your performance. Then the teacher will make an overall

comment on your performance and give you some suggestion.

Aims of this Unit

Student’s Feedback

Teacher’s Comments

The candidate has met the standard, knowledge and skill requirements.

Candidates: _____________________ Date ______________________

Assessor: ______________________ Date ______________________ Supplementary Exercises (补充练习)

Task I Simulation Exercises （模拟练习）

Work in groups. Role-play the following situations with your partners, acting as the Chinese speaker, English speaker and the interpreter respectively. One group will be invited to perform in class.

Task 2 Vocabulary Development （词汇扩展）

Read the following words and expressions. Try to keep them in mind and find more to enrich your language bank.

Useful Words & Expressions

座位卡 name / place card

纪念 in commemoration of; to commemorate; to observe 庆祝 in celebration of; to celebrate; to observe 司仪 MC ( Master of Ceremonies ) 嘉宾

distinguished guests

无以伦比的热情好客

the incomparable hospitality

热情洋溢而又令人信服的讲话 very gracious and eloquent remarks 应/承蒙……的（盛情）邀请 at the (gracious) invitation of …

(以……为首的)政府/公司代表团 gove rnment / company delegation (headed/led by… ) 以私人/官方的身份 in a(n) private/ official capacity

尊敬的…… 阁下 Your Excellency Respected and Dear… 值此……之际 on the occasion of … 友好使者

an envoy of friendship

随团来访的商界朋友

friends from the business community accompanying the delegation

珍惜与……的传统友谊 to cherish one’s traditional friendship with… 良好祝愿 best wishes 相互合作 mutual cooperation 衷心感谢 sincere thanks

Situation B

You work for a company in Liverpool. You have come to Shenzhen for a Trade Fair. You are to say goodbye to one of your company’s clients. Make a farewell speech expressing your happiness while staying with them.

Situation A

You are Assistant Manager of Company Nike. Please make a welcoming address to welcome Peter O’Donnell , a trainee manager in the head office in New York.

Beginning ?It is with great pleasure that I …

?I have the great pleasure to …

?It gives me great pleasure to …

?I have the honor to extend, on behalf of …our welcome to the…

?Allow me to express our warm welcome and cordial greetings to our distinguished

guests coming from afar.

?We are very proud and honored to receive such a group of distinguished

entrepreneurs.

?This is also a very happy and memorable occasion for me personally.

?Today we are especially pleased and happy to receive the delegation led by…

?We assemble here today with great elation to welcome…

?We are happy to celebrate this glorious festi val together with…

?We are very much honored and pleased to give a banquet this evening in honor

of… and the other distinguished guests from… who have come to visit …at the

invitation of ….

?Your presence adds much to our festive joy.

?With great elation and pleasure, we….

?With profound and amicable sentiments for your people, we….

Ending ?I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to you .

?Thank you so much for…in spite of your busy schedule.

?And that concludes my speech.

?I’d like to end/conclude my speech.

?Thank you for your attention.

Task 3 Cultural Salon （文化沙龙）

Read the following presentation and try to get some cultural knowledge

about ceremonial addresses.

Ceremonial Speeches

Ceremonial Speech-- a speech that you give on ceremonial occasions that reaffirms communities bonds and values and/or strengthens ties between individuals and groups.

Purpose -- to honor or commemorate someone

2 Types:

●Testimonial or Tribute Speech—speech given to honor and celebrate characters and

accomplishments.

●Eulogy Speech -- speech that praises a deceased individual and essentially praises their

virtue.

Designed To

●Inform

●Persuade

●Entertain

Guidelines

●Speech depends on speaker’s ability to craft words and images that capture the occasion.

●Speech consists of a mix of stories, images, and arguments in response to the occasion.

●Speech of tone must be appropriate for the occasion.

●Speech should build to emotional climax

Task 4 Interpreting Practice (口译实践)

Work on the following sentences and text. Interpret them into Chinese

and English respectively.

A. Sentence Interpreting

1. 这是一次具有历史意义的开拓性的会议。

2. 这次会议将对形成一个新的世界格局产生积极的影响。

3. 建立一个新的亚欧伙伴关系要求我们有新的观念和新的方法。

4. 我们应该求同存异，增进相互理解和信任。

5. 让我们为本届会议的圆满结束而共同努力。

B. Text Interpreting

Text D

Your Honor Mr. Mayor, My Chinese Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I feel honored to come here on my first visit to your beautiful city. On behalf of all the members of my mission, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to our host for their earnest invitation and gracious hospitality we have received since we set foot on this charming land. I am also very happy that this visit has given me an excellent opportunity to convey to you and to the people of Shanghai warm greetings and sincere good wishes from the government and people of my country. Although we live with a distance of thousands of miles between us, “Long distance separates no bosom friends.” as one of your Tang poets said.

The whole world is watching with great interest the remarkable changes that are taking place in China, particularly in Shanghai. To our great amazement, this country boasts a two-decade persistent economic growth, which is unequalled elsewhere in the world. China’s miraculous rise as one of the strongest economic powers in the Asian-Pacific region has attracted, and will continue to attract, a growing number of business, manufacturing and financial giants in our country to invest in China, particularly to invest in a number of long-term projects in Shanghai and its surrounding areas.

Last but not least, I would like to extend in person our official invitation to the mayor of shanghai. We would like to His honor to visit our city at his earliest convenience, so as to give us an opportunity to return the warm reception and hospitality we enjoy here.

I greatly cherish the close relationship between our two cities. I also greatly value the position we enjoy as one of your most important trading partners. In spite of the worldwide economic recession in recent years, there has been a steady growth in our economic cooperation and trade volume. It is our sincere wish that we continued to work closely together to enhance our friendly relationship and to ensure a sustained growth in our economic, financial and trade cooperation.

On this occasion of this reception, I wish Mr. Mayor and all our Chinese friends present here tonight good health! Thank you!

Student Self-assessment Form

1. Interpreting Skills—Short-term Preparation A B C D

1.1 Importance of short-term preparation □□□□

1.2 Definition of short-term preparation □□□□

1.3 Things that are to be prepared in interpreting □□□□

1.4 Ways to make the short-term preparation □□□□

2. Linguistic Notes about Ceremonial Address

2.1 Useful words and expressions □□□□

2.2 Sample sentences □□□□

3. Cultural Notes about Ceremonial Address

3.1 Definition of a ceremonial address □□□□

3.2 Purpose of ceremonial addresses □□□□

3.3 Two types of ceremonial addresses □□□□

3.4 Four guidelines of ceremonial addresses □□□□

4. Phrase Interpreting about Ceremonial Address

4.1 Chinese-English □□□□

4.2 English-Chinese □□□□

5. Sentence Interpreting about Ceremonial Address

5.1 Chinese-English □□□□

5.2 English-Chinese □□□□

6. Text Interpreting about Ceremonial Address