interpretingmemory

Factors likely to affect memoryGenetically-determined?Concentration/attentivenessSleep/restSurroundingsPressure/nervousnessTypes of information inputFamiliarity with the new informationFood and water (nutrition)

Memory can be trained. It is like a muscle and needs exercise.

Why memory in interpreting is difficult?The limitation of short-term memoryThe inactiveness of long-term memoryThe huge psychological stress

External inputsensory registerlost from SRshort-term storelong-term storelost from STSdecay, interference and loss of strength in LTSAtkinson and Shiffrins stages of memoryControl processesattention

According to Atkinson and Shiffrins model, incoming information flows from the sensory register to short-term memory to permanent storage in long-term memory.

Control processesRote/maintenance rehearsalElaborative rehearsalCodingStrategies for retrieving information from long-term memory

The most important control process is rehearsal. Rote, or maintenance rehearsal, functions to keep information active in STM. It corresponds to simple repetition of the information.Elaborative rehearsal involves relating the information to other known information, a process involving meaning. It functions to quickly transfer information to long-term memory.

Control processes

Coding involves attaching appropriate information from long-term memory to short-term information.

Short-term memory system has a severely limited capacity (an important feature of this model), which implies not only that a smaller number of items can be stored, but also that the control processes require some of the limited capacity. Control processes

Rehearsal may guard some information against loss from short-term memory, but this gain comes at the expense of not being able to rehearse other items.In general, the control processes expedite the processing of some information, but this facilitation comes at the expense of other information.

The meaning, once broken away from the original language form, can be remembered much longer than the original form of narration. That is why understanding meaning, rather than words, is very important for interpreters.

Improvement of memory efficiencyText type analysis and (application of )memory Logic analysis and memory (structure, cues, key words, logic relations) Visualization

Typhoon moved into northern fujian early yesterday morning. Nearly half a million people had to be evacuated as the 200 km per hour winds uprooted trees, tore roofs off some houses and completely demolished less sturdy ones. In coastal areas, many boats were submerged by the 10 meter swell, while others were beached and left stranded with their hulls ripped open.

Price of a Miraclemiracle precocious loanwith whispered desperationa glass jelly jar closetIndian Chiefpharmacistsliptwistmusterin an annoyed tone

Chicagosoftenstoop downbarely audiblywell upcoincidencemittenwithout chargechain of eventsfaith

Price of a MiracleTess was a precocious eight-year-old girl when she heard her Mom and Dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. They were moving to an apartment complex next month because Daddy didn't have the money for the doctor's bills and our house.

Only a very costly surgery could save him now and it was looking like there was no-one to loan them the money. She heard Daddy say to her tearful Mother with whispered desperation, Only a miracle can save him now.

Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes.

Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good.

Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! And what do you want?the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages," he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

"Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. He's really, really sick... and I want to buy a miracle.

"I beg your pardon?" said the pharmacist. "His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?"

"We don't sell miracles here, little girl. I'm sorry but I can't help you," the pharmacist said, softening a little. "Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.

The pharmacist's brother was a well-dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, What kind of a miracle does your brother need?

I don't know, Tess replied with her eyes welling up. "I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.

How much do you have? asked the man from Chicago.

One dollar and eleven cents, Tess answered barely audibly. And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.

Well, what a coincidence, smiled the man. A dollar and eleven cents the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said,Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the kind of miracle you need.

That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neurosurgery. The operation was completed without charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

"That surgery, her Mom whispered, was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost... one dollar and eleven cents ... plus the faith of a little child.

Long words

FloccinaucinihilipilificationAntidisestablishmentarianismpneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

Men always remember ladies because of romance only. (Marlboro)

The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog.

Introduction to an arts and crafts company

Distinguished guests, dear friends:

I feel honoured to have this opportunity to introduce our company to you through the platformprovided by this conference.

15 I550170015450024000

Founded I5 years ago, we are a company specializing in the design, manufacture and sales of handicrafts. Fifteen years ago our staff numbered 50; now the figure is l,700. Fifteen years ago we rented a facility covering a floor space of 4,500 square meters; now our own facility covers a floor space of 24,000 square meters. These figures speak loudly and clearly of our success.

Our leading products are various architectural models, including exotic European cathedrals, the Empire State Building, the White House, and the Pentagon in the U.S., along with cartoon animal toys and Chrismas gifts with a variety of designs. Our designs have become trend-setters in the industry.

15 30%

Nowadays, our products are sold worldwide in more than twenty countries including Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, America, the UK, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany. They are well received by both local importers and customers. For fifteen years our output value has maintained an annual growth rate of 30%.

Speech at inauguration of new facilityDistinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen,Good afternoon and welcome to the openingceremony of our first factory in China. We appreciate your taking the time to share this wonderful occasion with us today.

On behalf of the company I'd like to say a big"thank you" to all of our suppliers, customers, employees and business associates that are here in attendance with us today.The management team is very proud of this facility and the very capable staff that has developed and brought this operation up to world-class status. This facility is a symbol of the focus and commitment we have made to China.

To our suppliers, we look forward to working with you to grow our business to new heights. To our dealers, we plan to continue to supply you with state-of-the-art, high quality products that will allow you to support your customers and improve the lives of many people here in China and Southeast Asia.

To our neighbours and friends, we plan to be a good corporate citizen and will work with you to uphold high business standards throughout China.

And last but not least, to our employees, we are committed to providing you with a safe and enjoyable working environment. Thank you all once again for taking the time to share this wonderful occasion with us.