An Investigation Into Short-Term Memory Training in Interpreting Course at a University in Vietnam

Authors

  • Nguyen Thi Dieu Ha University of Economics – Technology for Industries

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1503.05

Keywords:

short – term memory, short-term memory training, interpreting, investigation

Abstract

Short – term memory (STM) is extremely crucial in an interpreter’s task since the message must be conveyed quickly from the source language to the target language. Hence, the interpreter must have high concentration once he gets involved in the interpreting process. STM is often ignored in interpreting modules since students are required to self – practice at home and other necessary skills are more focused. However, several language schools still embed STM activities in the course due to students’ need analysis. This paper aims at evaluating STM training in interpreting subject at a university in Viet Nam. Besides, the students’ perception of STM is also investigated. To collect data for analysis, the researcher used semi-structure interviews with 20 students at intermediate and advanced levels in English. The results of the study indicated that STM had positive effects on students’ interpretation and the majority of students showed their positive attitudes toward STM training.

Author Biography

Nguyen Thi Dieu Ha, University of Economics – Technology for Industries

Faculty of Foreign Languages

References

Baigorri-Jalón, J. (2005). Conference interpreting in the first international labor conference (Washington, D. C, 1919). Meta, 50(3), 987–996. https://doi.org/10.7202/011609ar.

Bratel, O., Kostiuk, M., Bratel, S., Okhrimenko, I., & Filonenko, V. (2020). Short-term memory training of students during foreign language learning. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 8(4), 1596–1604. https://doi.org/10.13189/ujer.2020.080453.

Cascella, M., & Khalili, Y. Al. (2023). Short-Term Memory Impairment. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545136/#_article-28986_s2_

Catford, J. (1965). A Linguistic Theory of Translation. Oxford University Press.

Jungwha, C. (2003). The interpretive theory of translation and its current applications. Interpretation Studies, 3(December), 1–15.

Logie, R. H. (2003). Spatial and Visual Working Memory: A Mental Workspace. Psychology of Learning and Motivation - Advances in Research and Theory, 42, 37–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0079-7421(03)01002-8.

Lu, L., & Chen, Y. (2013). A Survey of Short-term Memory in Consecutive Interpreting Course. In X. Shao (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2013 International Academic Workshop on Social Science (pp. 671–674). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/iaw-sc.2013.148

Munday, J., Ramos Pinto, S. & Blakesley, J. (2022). Introducing Translation Studies. Theories and applications. 5th ed. Routledge: London and New York.

Naseri, M. (2017). The Importance of Memory and Notetaking in the Process of Interpreting. Department of English, Kabul University.

Nguyen, Q. H. (2007). Interpreting Techniques English − Vietnamese, Vietnamese − English. Ho Chi Minh Publisher.

Nguyen, T. M. T., & Nguyen, T. H. (2023). Factors affecting the quality of consecutive interpretation at multi-media rooms: From lectures' perspective. VNU Journal of Foreign Studies, 39(2), 149-163.

Petrescu, C. (2014). Teaching Interpreting. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 3266–3270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.745.

Phelan, M. (2001). The Interpreter’s Resource. Multilingual Matters LTD. http://www.multilingual-matters.com. Retrieved on 8th January 2023.

Pöchhacker, F. (2014). Introducing Interpreting Studies. Routledge: London and New York.

Rasouli, F. (2022). The Impact of Developing Short-Term Memory on the Interpretation Performance of Students. Cihan University-Erbil Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 6(1), 64–68. https://doi.org/10.24086/cuejhss.v6n1y2022.pp64-68.

Robert G. Crowder. (2014). Principles of Learning and Memory. Psychology Press.

Shiffrin, R. M. (1973). Information persistence in short-term memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 100(1), 10-12.

Su, J. (2019). The Evolution and New Dynamics of Interpreting Studies. US - China Foreign Language, 17(7), 311–317. https://doi.org/10.17265/1539-8080/2019.07.001

Zulfikar, Z., Aulia, C. T., & Akmal, S. (2020). Exploring EFL Students’ Problems in Listening To English News Broadcasts. Language Literacy: Journal of Linguistics, Literature, and Language Teaching, 4(2), 340–352. https://doi.org/10.30743/ll.v4i2.2940

Downloads

Published

2024-05-08

Issue

Section

Articles