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THE ISSUE OF COHERENCE IN INTERPRETATION
Abdullayeva Poshshajon
UzSWLU
ANNOTATION
The issue of coherence in interpretation is one of the most crucial challenges
for translators and interpreters. Coherence refers to the logical connection and
consistency in communication, and its preservation is essential for an accurate
interpretation of the message from one language to another. This paper addresses the
significance of coherence in interpretation, analyzing how interpreters ensure that the
message is not only translated accurately but also retains its logical flow. The study
explores different types of coherence in interpretation, including semantic, syntactic,
and pragmatic coherence, and presents strategies for overcoming common challenges
that interpreters face in maintaining coherence.
Keywords:
Coherence, Interpretation, Logical Connection, Semantic
Coherence, Syntactic Coherence, Pragmatic Coherence.
АННОТАЦИЯ
Проблема связности в интерпретации является одной из важнейших
проблем для переводчиков и устных переводчиков. Под связностью понимается
логическая связь и последовательность в коммуникации, и ее сохранение
необходимо для точной интерпретации сообщения с одного языка на другой. В
этой статье рассматривается значение связности в интерпретации,
анализируется, как переводчики обеспечивают не только точный перевод
сообщения, но и сохранение его логической последовательности. В
исследовании изучаются различные типы связности в интерпретации, включая
семантическую, синтаксическую и прагматическую связность, и представлены
стратегии преодоления распространенных проблем, с которыми сталкиваются
переводчики при поддержании связности.
Ключевые слова
: связность, интерпретация, логическая связь,
семантическая связность, синтаксическая связность, прагматическая связность.
INTRODUCTION
The need for effective communication is undeniable, especially in a globalized
world where interpretation plays a vital role in various fields such as diplomacy,
business, legal affairs, and healthcare. Coherence is fundamental in ensuring that the
message conveyed is not only grammatically correct but also logically sound. In
SYNAPSES:
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interpretation, coherence involves the maintenance of logical flow,
ensuring that the meaning remains clear and consistent throughout the process of
translation. The purpose of this paper is to explore the issue of coherence in
interpretation, identifying the challenges interpreters face and how they address these
challenges to preserve coherence across languages.
Coherence in interpretation is critical for maintaining the integrity of the
original message. Without coherence, the listener or reader may receive a fragmented
or confusing version of the information, which can lead to misunderstandings. As a
result, interpreters must be adept at preserving both the meaning and the logical
consistency of the message across different languages. This topic is particularly
relevant in contexts like international diplomacy, legal proceedings, and multinational
business, where precision and clarity are essential.
LITERATURE REVIEW AND METHODOLOGY
Literature Review
Coherence in interpretation has been the subject of extensive research, with
several studies focusing on how it influences the quality of an interpreted message.
According to Gile (2009)
1
, interpreters need to maintain both linguistic and cognitive
coherence to ensure that their interpretations are accurate and clear. In addition, studies
by Seleskovitch (1978)
2
emphasize the importance of cognitive coherence in ensuring
that interpreters understand the message as a whole, rather than translating isolated
words or phrases.
Syntactic coherence is another aspect explored in the literature. According to
scholars like Pöchhacker (2004)
3
, interpreters often have to deal with challenges posed
by the syntactic structures of the source and target languages. The complexity of
maintaining syntactic coherence increases in simultaneous interpreting, where
interpreters must process and reproduce information in real time.
Moreover, pragmatic coherence, as discussed by Nord (1997)
4
, involves the
interpreter's ability to maintain the intended message in terms of the social and cultural
1
Gile, D. (2009).
Basic Concepts and Models for Interpreter and Translator Training
. John
Benjamins Publishing.
2
Seleskovitch, D. (1978).
Interpreting for International Conferences: Problems of Translation and
Interpreting
. John Benjamins Publishing.
3
Pöchhacker, F. (2004).
Introducing Interpreting Studies
. Routledge.
4
Nord, C. (1997).
Translating as a Purposeful Activity: Functionalist Approaches Explained
.
Routledge.
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context of the conversation. The research suggests that interpreters need to
be sensitive to these aspects to ensure that the interpreted message is not only accurate
but also appropriate in its context.
Methodology
This study employs a qualitative approach, analyzing existing literature and
case studies on the issue of coherence in interpretation. Data will be gathered from
scholarly articles, books, and reports on interpretation practices. Additionally, real-life
examples from interpreted conversations in various fields will be examined to
understand how coherence is maintained and the challenges involved. Interviews with
professional interpreters may also be conducted to gain insight into the practical aspects
of managing coherence in different interpreting contexts.
DISCUSSION AND RESULTS
Types of Coherence in Interpretation
Semantic Coherence
: This involves maintaining the meaning of the message
as intended by the speaker, ensuring that no information is lost or distorted. In
consecutive interpreting, interpreters often face challenges related to semantic
coherence, as they must remember and convey the entire message accurately before
delivering it in the target language.
Syntactic Coherence
: Syntactic coherence refers to maintaining the
grammatical structure of the sentence. Since the syntax of languages can differ
significantly, interpreters must adjust sentence structures without losing the meaning
of the message. For instance, English often uses a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word
order, whereas languages like Japanese follow a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure.
This difference presents challenges for interpreters in ensuring that the sentence is both
grammatically correct and logically coherent.
Pragmatic Coherence
: Pragmatic coherence deals with the social context of
the message, including tone, politeness, and cultural references. Interpreters must
ensure that the message is culturally appropriate and sensitive to the audience’s
expectations and norms. This type of coherence is often tested in legal and diplomatic
contexts, where the stakes are high.
Challenges in Maintaining Coherence
Interpreters often face significant challenges in maintaining coherence,
including:
Cognitive load
: Interpreting requires processing large amounts of information
in a short period. The cognitive strain can lead to lapses in coherence, especially in
simultaneous interpreting.
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Language differences
: The structural differences between
languages can make it difficult to maintain syntactic coherence. Moreover, some
languages may have idiomatic expressions or cultural references that do not have direct
equivalents in the target language, leading to potential breakdowns in semantic or
pragmatic coherence.
Speed and pressure
: In live interpretation, especially in conferences or
diplomatic settings, the interpreter must work under time pressure. This can sometimes
lead to compromises in coherence to meet the pace of the conversation.
Table 1: Examples of Coherence Challenges
Type
of
Coherence
Challenge
Example
Solution
Semantic
Coherence
Loss
of
meaning
A phrase with multiple
meanings in the source
language
Paraphrasing
or
explanation
Syntactic
Coherence
Sentence
structure
differences
SVO vs. SOV word order
Rearranging the sentence
while
maintaining
meaning
Pragmatic
Coherence
Cultural
differences
Untranslatable idioms
Substitution
with
culturally
appropriate
expressions
CONCLUSION
Coherence in interpretation is an essential element that ensures the logical flow
and accuracy of the message across languages. Interpreters must address various
challenges, including maintaining semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic coherence in
real-time, often under high pressure. This study has explored the types of coherence
and the strategies interpreters use to maintain them. It has also highlighted the
difficulties faced by interpreters due to language structure differences, cognitive load,
and cultural contexts. Further research could examine more specific contexts, such as
legal or medical interpreting, where maintaining coherence is particularly challenging.
REFERENCES
1.
Gile, D. (2009).
Basic Concepts and Models for Interpreter and Translator
Training
. John Benjamins Publishing.
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Disciplines
Volume 1, Issue 5 IF(Impact Factor) 10.92 / 2024
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Insights Across the Disciplines
2.
Seleskovitch,
D.
(1978).
Interpreting
for
International
Conferences: Problems of Translation and Interpreting
. John Benjamins
Publishing.
3.
Pöchhacker, F. (2004).
Introducing Interpreting Studies
. Routledge.
4.
Nord, C. (1997).
Translating as a Purposeful Activity: Functionalist Approaches
Explained
. Routledge.
5.
Krings, H. P. (2001).
The Interpreter and the Translator: Research and Practice
.
University of Heidelberg.
6.
Pym, A. (2005).
The Translator’s Turn
. John Benjamins Publishing.
