Introduction
Along with the trend of economic globalization and cultural diversification, communication among people from different countries and different cultures is more frequent and important.Interpreters are enjoying a constantly improved position in international communication, acting as the bridge which make people of different languages and backgrounds connected.Gradually, more elements should be considered in interpretation, especially keeping the communications smooth by using polite expreion.In this case, the study of application of politene communicative principle in interpretation will bring enlightenment to the future work.As we all know, interpretation is a kind of hard and complex job.Politene communicative principle is used to research communicative conversation, so it also can be applied into interpretation which can be seen as a special conversation.However, interpretation is a study with a short history, which needs more help from other fields.Nowadays, the study of interpretation is concentrated on language training, interpreting skills, exams and so on.Few people pay attention to the application of politene communicative principle in interpretation.Thus, politene communicative principle in interpretation is so important and deserves more attention.
Except for the introduction and conclusion, this thesis is composed of three parts.Part one gives a view of related theories; Part two is main part of the paper, which includes preconditions for using politene communicative principle and feasibility of the adoption of politene communicative principle; Part three is the enlightenment to interpretation after the research, including strategies for applying politene 1
communicative principle in interpretation.
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1.Literature review of interpretation and politene communicative principle In 1978, English scholars Brown & Levinson wrote an article “Universals in Language Usage: Politene Phenomena”.Soon after that, Leech delivered his six criteria of politene in 1983.Since then, there are some researches about the two fields of politene communicative principle and interpretation respectively.1.1 General review of interpretation In order to identify the relationship between interpretation and politene communicative principle, it is neceary to review related interpretation theory at home and abroad.1.1.1 Definition of interpretation Interpretation is a form of translation, converting one language to anther so that the target language could convey the intended meage in source language.Interpretation eentially is “an oral translation of oral discourse” (Gile, 1995: 1) and “ an extempore oral reproduction, in one language of what is said in another language ”(Zhong, 1999: 1).Interpretation is a form of translation in which a first and final rendition in another language is produced on the basis of a one-time presentation of an utterance in a source language(Pochhacker 2004: 11).Compared to translation which is used when the immediate result of the work is a written text, interpretation has its outstanding characteristics as being used when the immediate result is a speech reproduced orally in a language other than that spoken by the original speaker.That is to say, interpretation is a communicative proce which faithfully and orally transfer the information from one language to another. 3
1.1.2 Type and development of interpretation Interpretation consists of consecutive interpretation, simultaneous interpretation and whispering interpretation, among which consecutive interpretation is the most popular and widely used.In consecutive interpretation, the interpreter listens to a speech segment and then delivers the whole segment in the target language.While in simultaneous interpretation, the interpreter conveys the meaning to the listeners while listening.In whispering interpretation, the interpreter is for speeches with one to two foreign listeners or as accompanying interpreter for your international guests outside the actual event programme.Lacking of historical record makes it difficult to find the exact date when interpretation got into shape.And interpretation came into being and developed gradually when people speaking different languages started to communicate with each other.In the past, there were middlemen, who helped people speaking different languages communicate with each other.They were usually immigrants who knew two or more languages and also called dragoman, but these people were not trained profeionally.When people speaking different languages started to communicate with each other more frequently, quick and effective interpretation was in urgent.Interpreter becomes an international profeion in the First World War.It is in the Paris Peace Conference interpreters who have been trained profeionally to meet the requirements of the conference.After that, interpretation has become a popular profeion in the world.
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1.2 An overview of politene communicative principle theories Politene as a social phenomenon can be observed in all languages and cultures, and it has long been an important object of study in linguistics.As a common social phenomenon, politene is not only an universal virtue but also a popular way to realize effective communication.1.2.1 A general view of politene communicative principle Politene is an universal phenomenon in society.However, different linguists and scholars give different explanations of politene.In western countries, Leech says that there exists a set of maxims that guide and constrain the conversation between people, he suggests that cooperative principle should be expanded because Gricean’s cooperative principle can not sufficiently explain why people so often convey meaning indirectly.It is for this reason that politene principle can be seen not just as another principle to be added to cooperative principle, but as its neceary complement.Leech introduces the politene principle which runs as follows: Minimize the expreion of impolite beliefs, Maximize the expreion of polite belief. 1.2.2 Politene theories at home and abroad
Many scholars have made great contribution to the study of politene theories.Among them, Leech and Gu Yueguo play a significant role, which serves as the foundation of the politene research for other scholars.Politene communicative principle is proposed to explain how politene operates in conversational exchange, which has a series of maxims.Leech defines politene as forms of behavior that establish and maintain comity.That is the ability of participants in a social interaction 5
to engage in interaction in an atmosphere of relative harmony.Leech specifies degree of politene principle which are the means required in a certain situation.(1) The Tact Maxim Minimize the expreion of beliefs which imply cost to other, maximize the expreion of beliefs which imply benefit to other.(2) The Approbation Maxim Minimize the expreion of beliefs which expre dispraise of other; Maximize the expreion of beliefs which expre approval of other.(3) The Generosity Maxim
Minimize the expreion of benefit to itself; Maximize the expreion of cost to itself.(4) The Modesty Maxim
Minimize the expreion of praise of self; Maximize the expreion of dispraise of self.(5) The Agreement Maxim
Minimize the expreion of disagreement between self and other; Maximize the expreion of agreement between self and other.(Leech, 1999:20-21) While in China, the real study of politene principle only began in the 1980s when pragmatics was introduced into China.The most influential figure in this area is Gu Yueguo.He puts forward his own set of politene maxims in two thesis “Politene Pragmatics and Culture” and “Politene phenomena in modern China”.His theory has distinctive characteristics of Chinese culture.He proposed four basic 6
notions: respectfulne, modesty, attitudinal warmth and refinement.According to Gu, politene principle includes five maxims:“Self-denigration and Respecting Maxim, Addreing Maxim, Elegancy Maxim, Conforming Maxim, Virtue, Words and Behavior Maxim.”(Gu, 2005: 10)
1.3 The relationship between politene communicative principle and interpretation
Interpretation is understood as the mental proce and communicative act of reproducing orally in a target language what a speaker is expreing in a source language.(Zhong, 1999: 1)
From the above explanation, it is easy to find that interpretation is a kind of special conversation.The succe of this conversation needs a media of interpreter.During interpretation, interpreters need to cooperate both with the speakers and the listeners, and they also need to control the atmosphere of this conversation and keep the conversation polite.Besides, politene communicative principle is used to research communicative conversation, so it can be applied into interpretation.
So far, there have been some studies related to relationship between politene communicative principle and interpretation, especially in recent years.For instance, Guo Yingzhen has published the iue of “Politene Principle and Interpreting” by analyzing politene principle and nine types of politene in interpretation.She says, “ Based on the politene principle and the experience of the author’s practice during past years, the honorific expreions in the proce of interpreting can be divided into and applied to in nine different situations, namely, greetings, request, inquiry, 7
complaint and regret, advice, apology, imperative, and agreement” (Guo, 2004: 15).She tries to encourage readers to use honorific expreions in interpretation so that his or her own interpreting ability could be reflected.
Wang Xiaowen discues the complementarily and contradiction between cooperative principle and politene principle, she mentions about the importance of politene communicative principle in interpretation, “As two important theories in the field of pragmatics, Grice’s cooperative principle and Leech’s politene principle both have great insights on interpreting with latter complimentary to the former.The approbation of the two principles to interpreting can effectively promote the succeful cooperation between the two parties of communication.”(Wang, 2006: 18) 1.4 Previous studies on interpreter’s subjectivity
With the increasing attention paid on the role of interpreters, the subjectivity of which arouse interest of scholars.
Qiu Jixin observes the translator’s subjectivity and its restrictions by introducing thought of foreign scholars and analysis of translation.He says, “As a subject, translators can carry out their subjectivity during the translating proce.Yet, the subjectivity must be restricted by certain factors.The two are combined closely with each other.”(Qiu, 2004: 12) Later, Hon Linping and Jiang Siping write complete conclusion on the study of the iue, on the subjectivity studies over the past ten years.They talk about the root, developing stages, some limitations and problems of all the previous researches.In general, just as what they state in the review,“the concept of interpreter’s subjectivity has gained more and more attention in China’s translation 8
study over the last decades.Analyzing the studies of the translator’s subjectivity in China from 1996 to 2005, the scholars explore the positive roles and limitations that the new trend could play in translation, the authors maintain that the translator’s turn will prevail in the 21 century.”(Hon & Jiang, 2006 ) These people do some research on the interpreter’s subjectivity and leave some evidence for others.Lv Binghua, from the perspective of subjectivity, proposed three norms, self-restriction on expreions and arrangement of meage.It is a generalization of the forms of interpreter’s subjectivity from a rather macro perspective.
Few scholars concern about the subjectivity of interpreters although the iue of interpreter’s subjectivity has been studied for years.That’s the greatest regret in the study of the iue.2.Feasibility and strategies for interpreters to apply politene communicative principle in interpreting
From the above analysis of the research conducted by many linguists and interpretation theorists, it is easy to find that politene communicative principle plays an important role in interpretation.No matter whether politene communicative principle in western countries or in China, the eence is similar only with different emphasis.This chapter, which is based on the analysis of politene communicative principle, explains the feasibility for interpreters and explores the instructive function of the politene communicative principle in interpretation.2.1 Poible steps to deal with subjectivity
When politene communicative principle is used in interpretation, at least two 9
things should be noticed.Firstly, it is poible to deal with subjectivity when interpret.Secondly, it is poible to apply politene communicative principle in interpretation.Actually the proce of interpreting can be divided into two parts: preparation before real interpretation and the actual interpretation proce.“Translation procedure involves far more than step-by-step procedures for producing a translation from a source text.” (Nida, 2004: 131) In the following part, the author will discu when and how interpreters can manipulate with subjectivity.2.1.1 Preparation before interpreting
It is well-known that enough preparation work is a key factor of a succeful interpretation.Many things can be done before interpretation and will be later used.Generally speaking, prepared knowledge includes the gloary items, background knowledge of a certain field, understanding of the speaker’s culture and so on.In order to specify the above statement and make it clear and easy to be understood, the author sets an example in the following part.
For example, There is going to be an English speaker talking about technology in clone.
Preparation work will be done differently.Interpreter A may know well about clone, he masters all the background information and latest researches in the field.But he has no idea about the speaker except that the speaker is from England.
In this situation, interpreter A may prepare in following steps.Firstly, since he knows well about the iue, the preparation of background knowledge may be very simple.Secondly, since the speaker comes from England, which needs to know more 10
about clone in England.Therefore, A should review the clone in England.Thirdly, given that A knows nothing about the speaker, he should seek a way to get familiar with culture and courtesy in England.Last but not least, A should know more about the situation whether in a conference or casual dialogue.Imagine another quite different situation: If interpreter B knows the English speaker very well.However, he knows little about clone, let alone clone in England.In this case, B would seek for different methods to deal with, which is quite different from A.Instead of paying much attention to the background of the speaker, B has to spend much time learning about clone, especially in England.Therefore, he had better read some scientific books and surf the Internet to gain more information about clone.Above all, it is easy to find that different interpreters choose different ways to prepare based on their own conditions though given the same situation.That leads to the poibility of choosing for interpreters in this proce.2.1.2 Understanding of original speech Understanding of Original Speech is a vital proce during the interpretation.If one can’t grasp the original meaning, he may mislead the intention of the speaker, even worse, spoil the whole conversation.Basil Hatim and Ian Mason once wrote in their book Discourse and the Translator, “The le evaluative the text is, the le need there will be for its structure to be modified; Conversely, the more culture-bound a text is, the more scope there may be for modification.The le culture-bound a text is, the le need there will be for its structure to be modified; Conversely, the more culture-bound a text is, the more 11
space there may be for modification.”(Hatim & Mason,1999: 3) In China, Qi Weiyan stated in her paper, “Translator’s understandings and opinions are always influenced by times, nation, language, history, custom, culture and so on.Thus, the subjectivity of translators is strongly needed because of the differences in these factors in source text, the disparity between source and target language, and the strong demonstration of times, national feature and culture capital in the source text”.(Qi, 2003) In the following, the author would show that interpreters may have different understandings towards the same original sentence.For example, It’s my great honor to be invited as your friend.Interpreter1: 作为朋友收到邀请，我十分荣幸。 Interpreter2: 我十分荣幸以朋友的身份收到邀请。
In this case, the emphasis of the interpreter is different.Interpreter 1 strengthens the meaning of “great honor to be invited” with thanks.While interpreter 2 highlights the words “as your friend” to focus on the true friendship.Therefore, the hidden meaning of the sentence is “The friendship between us is precious to me and I really appreciate it”.Both of the understandings are right if the speaker exprees the sentence without the paragraph.Still, differences between two interpreters don’t influence the quality of interpretation.It can be concluded from the above example that one sentence may lead to different understandings and the interpreters can choose their own understanding according to the atmosphere of situation, the context or the relevant information.This clearly proves that interpreters are able to manipulate during the understanding 12
proce and sometimes the subjective choosing may even be of great significance.2.1.3 Production of the interpreted version
As Qi Weiyan stated in her paper, “Translator’s subjectivity can be reflected not only from the comprehension of the source language, but also from the choosing ways of expreions.If we put it in another way, production of the translators gradually form their own translation styles, characteristics and features.There is a close relation between them.In a certain period and under certain historical and cultural background, translators form their own thoughts and senses of values, tastes and interests, as well as translation abilities, which are shown in his translation version.”(Qi, 2003) From the translation theory above, it is aware that translator’s subjectivity is what she talks about.It is the same with interpreters,too.Being an excellent interpreter requires abundant interpreting experiences, careful observation and daily practices.The author will give an example to illustrate this point.
For example, Shenzhen today is quite different from what she looked like twenty years ago.
Version1: 今日的深圳不同于20年前的深圳。
Version2: 今日的深圳比20年前不可同日而语。
When you talk about Shenzhen’s development and her achievement with a foreigner, such a sentence can be seen very often.In a real interpreting case, it is common that both of the translation versions are acceptable, with no mistake or misunderstanding between communicative parties.However, the two versions have obvious difference.Version 2 gives a more brief idea of difference in Shenzhen which 13
strikes the speaker most.While version 1 is close to literal meaning of the original sentence.The two versions have difference in ways of expreion and the author believes that it can reflect the interpreter’s characteristics in some degree.Although the original sentence is a kind of praise of Shenzhen’s great development, the sentence itself does not show that Shenzhen becomes stronger or prosperous.It can be predicted that in terms of characteristics, version 2 is more direct than version 1 since he or she wishes to expre the intended meaning in an obvious way.2.2 Feasibility of the adoption of politene communicative principle in interpretation Since it has been proved that politene communicative principle is one of the principles that should be adopted in our daily conversation.Adopting politene communicative principle in interpretation will help create harmonious atmosphere and enable the exchange of words and thoughts to be smooth and succeful.As we all know, interpretation is a kind of exchanging and talking since two communicative parties cannot communicate directly because of language and culture differences.Thus, an interpreter is needed to exchange words between the two communicative parties, which is a very important job in such kind of indirect interaction.During interpreting, a sense of being polite is badly needed.
In this part, the author will talk about the application of politene communicative principle and set examples to prove the feasibility to interpretation.The proce of application of politene communicative principle can be divided into three different forms, namely choosing of words, choosing of sentences and choosing 14
ways of expreions.2.2.1 Choosing of words Interpreters may have different words that can be used during interpretation, while they have poibility to choose proper words from them.Therefore, interpreters can find the most polite words under the direction of politene communicative principle.First of all, some words that can help the interpreters are discued.Firstly, application of model verbs in politene communicative principle will be discued.When we choose proper language form to expre politely, some appropriate model verbs can make the sentence like an euphemism.In our conversations or dialogues, these model verbs are easy to find here and there, such as “should, shall, would, could”.In order to expre the meaning more clearly, the author will set two examples in the following.When we put the model verb “could” ahead in a question sentence, it is a euphemistic expreion.For example, “could you tell me about the story?” The word “would” can be used in a euphemistic expreion, especially in the request and suggested sentence.For instance,“I would be a shame to disturb your dialogue.” “would you like to pa the book to me ?”and “wouldn’t it be better to stop it right now?” All the sentences above are more polite than those do not use model verb.
Secondly, tense of verb deserves our attention.In a sentence, past tense is another way to expre request politely, while past continuous tense is more polite than past tense.For instance,“Sorry, I did it again”.This sentence means this is not the first time he made mistake, and the intended meaning of which is he or she really feels 15
regrettable about what he or she does.From above, it can be found that past tense can also expre apologize.Thirdly, some words expreing poibility could also expre politene.when we talk something about suggestion, advice and criticism, we could use “maybe” “perhaps” and “poible”.”Poibly” mainly used in a request sentence, if it is used together with model verbs “can” and “could”, it would be more polite.When we give an invitation, suggestion, requirement and criticism, we can use the word “wonder”, because it is also a euphemism.Another example, the word “quite” can be used in the negative sentence to expre politene:“That’s not quite what I said, you know.” Some examples related to the three pairs of maxims will be discued next.2.2.1.1 Tact maxim and generosity maxim
From the brief introduction of maxim before, it is easy to know that these two maxims are intended to maxim of benefit to others and cost to oneself.The typical case is as followed.
“This is a brief introduction brochure of our school”
Version1: 这是我校的宣传册。
Version2: 这是美国某大学的宣传册。
According to Tack and Generosity Maxim, it is polite to maximize the listener’s benefit even cost the speaker more.In this situation, since the interpreter is the direct speaker to the Chinese students attending an exhibition, the interpreter has to interpret the complete meaning while maximize benefit for the listener.Based on the given situation, version2 is more proper than version1, not only for 16
sake of better advertisement of the school, but also help the listener leave a deep impreion of this school, which is different from other schools they heard before.From this point of view, the choosing of version “美国某大学” rather than “我校” realizes the minimization of other’s cost.2.2.1.2 Approbation maxim and modesty maxim
These two maxims demand maximization of praise of others and of dispraise to oneself.The following is an example:
“我们产品的质量比你方更好。”
Version1: Our product’s quality is better than yours.
Version2: It seems that our product’s quality is better than yours.
In this case, version2 doesn’t maximize praise of listeners and dispraise of him or her.The speaker states the meaning of “better than you”, which is going to cause unhappy feelings to the listeners.2.2.1.3 Agreement maxim and sympathy maxim Agreement Maxim and Sympathy Maxim demand maximization of agreement between oneself and others.An example is as followed:
你同意我的想法吗？
Not really.
Version1: Do you agree with me?
我不同意。
Version2: Do you agree with me?
我们的想法可能有些出入。
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This is a kind of “agree-or-not” sentence.Agreement should be given based on the Agreement and Sympathy Maxim.Therefore, when the interpreter chooses the expreion “有些出入” instead of “不同意”.The atmosphere is more polite and harmonious.2.2.2 Choosing of sentences
Interpreters may have different sentences that come into mind during interpretation, while they have poibility to choose the most suitable one from them.As a result, interpreters can find the most polite one under the direction of politene communicative principle.2.2.2.1 Tack maxim and generosity maxim Two conclusions can be drawn from these maxims.Firstly, offering is more polite than request in an imperative sentence.Secondly, politene communicative principle in language can be claified into various degrees because more indirect expreions give listeners more freedom to choose what they want.If a sentence is delivered in a more indirect way, it would be more polite.
Example1, Answer the phone.
I want you to answer the phone.
Will you answer the phone?
Can you answer the phone?
Would you mind answering the phone?
Could you poibly answer the phone?
Example 2, Call a taxi for me. 18
I want you to call a taxi for me.
Will you call a taxi for me?
Would you mind calling a taxi for me? In each example, the last one is the most polite because it gives the listener more opportunity to refuse.It is succeful to minimize the cost to others and maximize benefit to others.More examples can be found at the beginning of a pre conference.In order to keep the meeting going quietly, the host would say to the reporter just as “请各位与会人员关闭手机”.Under this circumstance, interpreters have these choices:“Turn off the cell phone.” “Can you turn off the cell phone?” or “Can I probably ask you to turn off the cell phone?”.Among them, the degree of being polite is deeper and deeper, then the last one is the most polite.In order to show politene, interpreters usually expre ideas in a mild and roundabout way.For example, when disagreeing with somebody, one would say,“I don’t think you are right” rather than“you are wrong”.Another example“You don’t seem to understand” instead of “You don’t know” so directly.2.2.2.2 Approbation maxim and modesty maxim
These two maxims demand maximization of praise of others and of dispraise to oneself.They contain two aspects and the first is “negative praise” which means saying something good to somebody instead of criticizing others.An example is followed,“Do you like my skirt?” “Well, yes.But it’s not my favorite.” Although B does not like A’s skirt, he exprees his feelings in a polite way.The second type is “exaggerated praise”, which is common in interpretation from Chinese to English
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because English speakers like to exaggerate their feelings, while Chinese are more implicit in comparison.Here is an example: after a party, guests coming from China say to the host,“谢谢你的邀请，我们度过了一个愉快的夜晚。” Interpreter can expre like this,“Thank you so much for inviting us, we had a wonderful night”.In this version “so much” is an exaggerated word .Another example is, when praising others, one usually addrees in this way, ”What a beautiful house!” or “What a cute boy”.
Another example,“你觉得我们有机会合作这个项目么？”
Hopefully, let’s wait and see.
Version1: Is there any poibility for us to cooperate with each other on the project?
希望可以，让我们边走边看。
Version2: Is there any poibility for us to cooperate with each other on this project?
希望能有这个合作机会，让我们边走边看。
Based on Approbation and Modesty Maxim, it is polite for the interpreter to maximize praise of the Chinese party.The Chinese party asks the question about the cooperation poibility in this situation.For some reasons, Without exact comment on the poibility, the foreigner gives an ambiguous answer to the question.Thus, the second version is recommended.2.2.2.3 Agreement maxim and sympathy maxim
These two maxims demand maximization of agreement between oneself and 20
others.English speakers usually expre disagreement in this way:“sorry”or“Excuse me”.For instance,A says,“I like these pictures, they are beautiful”.Then B says “Well, I don’t have any eye for beauty, I’m afraid”.From this example, it is easy to see that although B does not agree with A, he does not expre that in a direct way, which not only decreases the conflict between them, but also increases the accordance with the speaker.That is to say, in order to make the listener happier, good details should be talked.For instance,“That was the great Oscar for John” and “That was the great news about John”.The first sentence brings more happine to the listener.
On the contrary, when we talk about some sad news, try to say some vague words instead of details.In western culture, the expreion of “death” is a typical one.For example,“be asleep in the arms of God”“be taken to paradise and go to heaven”.Another example,“I was sorry to hear about your husband” is more polite than “I was sorry to hear about your husband’s death”.2.2.3 Choosing of expreions
Choosing of expreions means that during interpreting, an interpreter is likely to choose different ways to expre the idea.Among these choices, he or she would find the most polite one according to politene communicative principle, which includes the changing of sentence structure or custom of expreion in different languages.The author would illustrate the point in following aspects.2.2.3.1 Tack maxim and generosity maxim
Here is an example to show the expreion choices under the direction of these two maxims. 21
你看过那份计划了吗？
真不好意思，我昨天去看父母了。
Version1: Sorry, I went to visit my parents yesterday.
Version2: Sorry, I haven’t seen it though, since I went to visit my parents yesterday.
In this situation, the hidden meaning of Chinese speaker is that he hasn’t looked into the proposal yet.According to Chinese culture, the reason is given at first.However, person asks the question in order to know whether the proposal is seen though or not.Thus, in order to show respect to the leader, he or she had better choose the latter one to give the direct answer first and if time permits, giving reasons in a simple way.In this way, the modest attitude of speaker can be clearly reflected and thus gaining opinion of Chinese audience.2.2.3.2 Approbation maxim and modesty maxim Here is an example to show the expreion choices under the direction of these two maxims.That is all my speech, If you have any question concerning my speech, welcome.Version1: 我的演讲完毕，有问题可以问我。
Version2: 我的演讲完毕，如有问题，欢迎随时提问。
The original sentence is a traditional English way of expreion with no offence.However, the translated version1 may seem a bit rude to the audience in China.Thus, although violating the literal meaning of the original words, interpreters maybe choose the latter one to show politene and create a harmonious atmosphere. 22
2.2.3.3 Agreement maxim and sympathy maxim
Under the direction of these two maxims, the author will list an example:
Do you agree with our arrangement?
Yes, the transportation and accommodation are great.
Version1: 是的，交通和住宿都不错。
Version2: 安排的很好，尤其是住宿和交通。
In order to be polite, version2 chooses the expreion “安排的很好”，which is not heightened in the original words.The change of expreion adds the degree of agreement and sounds more agreeable than just saying“是的”.Therefore, the listener will be glad to your interpretation.3 Strategies for applying politene communicative principle in interpretation
Since a great many researches have been done on the strategies whenever concerning politene or subjectivity, the author is going to mention three of them simply.There are substitution when the speaker does not mention, treason when the speaker does mention but not polite to the audience and omiion to name just a few.3.1 Substitution Interpretation needs substitution sometimes.Since it has already been proved that interpreter is able to cope with subjectivity, substitution cannot be avoided because of different languages, backgrounds, styles and so on.When comes to politene communicative principle, substitution can be utilized in following: The key point of Tack and Generosity maxims is to reduce the cost of others.In some cases, people are not willing to talk about death, disease, body part and so on. 23
Instead, they would use indirect words replacing them.For instance, “big C” stands for “cancer” “mentally handicapped” replaces “retarded”, “psychiatric hospital” rather than “mental hospital”.Concerning about unemployment, they would use the words: “unwaged, between jobs”.
It’s good for one to try hard to agree with others,if not that matters, and it is the key iue of Agreement and Sympathy maxims.When one agrees with the other but he or she omits the words like “yes” or “sure” and directly continue the topic.On such occasions, it is greater if the interpreter say like “of course” or “definitely” to emphasize the agreement.Substitution can be found quite often in opening and end of speeches, informal lectures and interviews, which allows to establish harmonious atmosphere without influencing the content or final result.3.2 Treason In some occasions, if we translate the sentences literary, it would cause misunderstanding due to different cultural backgrounds.As bridge of communication, it is interpreter’s responsibility to promote better interactions, even sometimes not being loyalty to the original words.In order to maximize praise of others and minimize praise to oneself, interpreters may sometimes behave modest on behalf of the speaker.Such kind of situation can be found when communicative parties come from different cultural backgrounds.For instance, the Westerners tend to be direct while Chinese are used to behave modest.
It is the guest speaker’s or sometimes interpreter’s responsibility to use words or concept of the host speakers and that can also be regarded as a kind of agreement to 24
the host party and its custom for sake of offering more agreement to others.Situations exist when parties hold different opinions toward one iue or when slip of tongue occurs.Interpreters should be pay attention to this strategy, be loyalty to the original words and pa on the meaning to the listeners.3.3 Omiion Facing with difficulties in interpretation, omiion is one of the strategies most often applied .Omiion concludes deletion of words, phrases, sentences or even a paragraph.Here is an example: Please turn to page 20, maybe 22.let me see, yes, 25.Version1:请翻到书的20页，也许是22页，让我看看，第25页。
Version2:请翻到书的第25页。
It costs a lot for the audience to hear page 20, 22and 25 getting themselves busy in turning to pages that are not certain.Thus, it is wise and polite for the interpreter to slip to the final page which is quite certain, or else it will cause a confusing situation.However, this strategy is not proper in all conditions.When comes to important content, no random omiion is allowed.
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Conclusion
Through this paper, the author draws the conclusion that it is very important and feasible to use politene communicative principle in interpretation.Therefore, when interpreters understand preconditions of the principle and adopt related interpretation strategies, the interpreted version would be better.Since interpreters are already aware of the importance to be polite and feasibility to subjectivity.Besides, some poible ways to deal with subjectivity, interpretation strategies under the direction of politene communicative principle are are listed in the paper.It is conductive to the improvement of the quality of interpretation and the development of interpreters themselves.Since this paper is done with the aid of many reference books and some papers, there may exist weakne and limitations during the proce.Besides, there are causes that actually lead to these limitations: Firstly, as a college student, it is unlikely for the author to get in touch with interpreters in everyday life; Secondly, not doing or observing enough interpreting practice, it is impoible for the author to collect a large number of materials and cover all the areas.Finally, the author has little experience in interpretation, which causes the big trouble to perfect the paper.As a result, based on the materials available and current condition, the author tries best to make the paper reliable.The author hopes that the future researches can spare more efforts in the following aspects.Firstly, researches may collect as much materials as they can through all poible channels in future.If time permits, such kind of collection may 26
produce a more reliable research than this one.Secondly, there is no space and time left for strategies and suggestions.The author just lists three of them to name just a few.It is the hope of the author that future researcher can lay more emphasis on the strategy part to make this research more complete and systematic.
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