BOOK REVIEW
edited by professors Riccardo Moratto and Irene A Zhang
reviewed by Dr Vera YZ Gu
‘The volume … adeptly documents the profession’s historical roots …’
This volume stands as a critical contribution to the discourse on conference interpreting in China.
It sets the stage with a historical overview of the development of conference interpreting there since the late 1970s, providing a backdrop for understanding the profession’s current state and future prospects, then delves into pedagogical innovations, highlighting the importance of adaptive learning strategies in response to market demands and technological progress.
The focus on emerging technologies such as VR and AI offers insightful predictions into how they will help shape the future of the profession. Contributions from a diverse pool of scholars, practitioners and students enrich the volume, offering a multifaceted perspective on Chinese interpreting practice, training and research. The comparative analysis of interpreting standards within China against international benchmarks underscores efforts towards professionalisation and standardisation, marking significant achievements and areas ripe for development.
The book’s rigorous approach integrates historical analysis, theoretical exploration and practical insights, and highlights innovative pedagogical strategies, including outcome-based education and problem-based learning, thus situating the collection as relevant to both contemporary educational methodologies and future pedagogical innovations.
One of the volume’s core strengths is its fresh insights into the professional journey that has been taken, spotlighting the essential role of educational initiatives, the integration of cutting-edge technologies – in both practice and education – and the dynamic challenges and opportunities facing the profession today. Particularly notable is the nuanced discussion on the evolving role of interpreters in the age of technological progress, serving as a guide for future developments in interpreting practice and training.
Notwithstanding its strengths, the book examines a limited range of research topics and methodologies, suggesting the potential for more extensive interdisciplinary exploration and comparative studies to deepen the discourse. The coherence and thematic diversity of the collection, while strong, are somewhat limited by a uniform methodological approach which, despite facilitating a seamless narrative, might constrain the depth of the discussion. The comprehensive citations within the volume attest to a robust research foundation, though a more detailed analysis could further elucidate their relevance and significance.
Future editions could benefit significantly from incorporating a broader array of comparative studies and interdisciplinary research approaches. Such expansions would undoubtedly enrich the global conversation around the professionalisation of conference interpreting, broadening the volume’s thematic and methodological scope.
In conclusion, the volume emerges as an indispensable resource within the field of interpreting studies, providing a holistic view of both the professionalisation and the practice of conference interpreting in China. It adeptly documents the profession’s historical roots, navigates contemporary challenges and anticipates future directions, making it an essential read for scholars, practitioners and students alike. The insights on pedagogical innovations and the impact of technological advancements not only chronicle the current state of conference interpreting in China, but also catalyse further research and discourse.
Cover reproduced courtesy of Taylor & Francis
Dr Vera YZ Gu holds a PhD in applied linguistics, with a focus on T&I studies, from Monash University. Her research interests lie at the intersection of linguistics, T&I and cognition, with the aim of enhancing T&I pedagogy and practice. Alongside her academic pursuits, Vera is a professional translator and interpreter proficient in Chinese/Mandarin and English, with specialised training in conference interpreting.
