2.1 An overview of corpus-based interpreting studies
<2.2 Corpus-based studies on the sociocultural aspects of interpreting
2.3 Corpus-based studies on GPC interpreting in China
Chapter 3 Modality in English and Chinese
3.1 Studies on English modality
3.2 Studies on Chinese modality
3.3 Studies of modality in translation between Chinese and English
3.4 Contrastive studies on modality in Chinese and English political speeches
3.5 A Systemic Functional view of modality in English and Chinese
Chapter 4 Modality Shifts in the Use of English Modality Markers
4.1 General features of modality shifts
4.1.1 Overall degree and distribution of modality shifts
4.1.2 Modality shifts with different ST speakers
4.2 Interpersonal effects of the major types of modality shifts
4.2.1 Weakening and subjectivisation
4.2.2 Strengthening
4.2.3 De-obligation
4.3 Summary
Chapter 5 Modality Shifts in the Translation of Chinese Modality Markers
5.1 General features of modality shifts
5.1.1 Overall degree and distribution of modality shifts
5.1.2 Modality shifts with different ST speakers
5.2 Interpersonal effects of the major types of modality shifts
5.2.1 Strengthening and objectivisation
5.2.2 De-obligation
5.3 Summary
Chapter 6 The Reconstruction of Modality in Relation to Its Sociocultural context
6.1 Modality reconstruction in GPC interpreting in relation to its meta-discourse
6.1.1 The meta-discourse on diplomatic interpreting in China
6.1.2 Juxtaposing the reconstruction of modality in GPC interpreting with the meta-discourse
6.2 Modality reconstruction in GPC interpreting in relation to its typological features
6.2.1 Participants and goals of communication
6.2.2 Topics and speech type
6.2.3 Temporal and spatial setting
6.2.4 Working mode and directionality
6.3 Summary
Chapter 7 Conclusion
7.1 Major findings
7.2 Contributions and implications
7.3 Limitations and suggestions for future research
References
Appendices
Xin Li is an instructor of College English and a researcher in translation/interpreting studies at the School of Foreign Languages, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. She has a PhD in foreign linguistics and applied linguistics with a specialization in corpus-based translation/interpreting studies. Based on her active engagement in translation/interpreting research projects, she has published articles in influential journals in China such as Computer-assisted Foreign Language Education, Foreign Language Learning Theory and Practice, and Contemporary Foreign Languages Studies. She is also the associate editor of Critical Readings of Corpus-based Translation Studies (2012, in Chinese).
This book investigates a special genre of interpreting in the Chinese context, namely Government Press Conference (GPC) Interpreting. Drawing on the modality system from Systemic Functional Grammar and a corpus of 21 interpreting events, the project explores the regular patterns of modality shifts in Chinese-English GPC interpreting and seeks explanations in the sociocultural context. As a corpus-based project, the book covers qualitative analysis of the sociocultural context, qualitative analysis of the interpersonal effects of modality shifts, and quantitative analysis of modality shifts. This book will contribute to the understanding of the distinctive features of GPC interpreting in China, shed new light on the rendition of modality between Chinese and English in specific contexts, and also inspire new thoughts on the nature of interpreting in general.