Undergraduate Training of Sight Translation : With Particular Stress on the Korean-into-English Speech Text

Abstract

This study has dealt with the level of the speech text appropriate for the training undergraduate interpretation majors, particularly for Korean-into-English sight translation classes. In order to determine a more efficient level of speech text to be used in class, data was collected and analyzed from two types of texts, a formal speech text (FST) and an informal speech text (IST). The results are as follows. As had been expected, the rate of errors and omissions stood at 45% in the case of FST, and 27% in the case of IST, indicating that the rate was much higher in FST than in IST. Interpreters showed delays in the process of handling the Embedded Structure, probably because the sentences were relatively longer and the verb was placed at the sentence-final position. Considering such a high rate of interpretation disruptions, formal speech texts, which usually contain a relatively large number of complicated structures, may not be recommendable for the training of sight translation for undergraduate interpretation majors. Therefore, IST texts, which normally include relatively shorter sentences, may motivate the students more, thereby maximizing the efficiency of sight translation education.