The Training Strategies and Application of Short-term Memory in Interpretation

Abstract

Through this semester’s learning, the author has gained a deeper understanding of the indispensable role of short-term memory in interpreting practice. While note-taking serves as a common technique to reduce memory load, many real-world interpreting scenarios including tourism guidance, banquet interpreting, and informal negotiations. They often preclude the use of notes, thereby placing exceptional demands on interpreters’ unaided memory capacity. This article will explore the importance of short-term memory in interpreting by analyzing its underlying mechanisms and operational characteristics. Drawing upon classroom instruction and academic materials, it explores several proven training methods: information chunking to enhance memory efficiency, mental rehearsal to prolong retention, monolingual paraphrasing to improve accuracy, and shadowing exercises to strengthen auditory-memory coordination. The discussion further considers the practical application of these techniques in various interpreting contexts, offering evidence-based recommendations to help learners develop this essential professional skill set. By bridging theoretical knowledge with practical training approaches to enhance our interpreting techniques and capabilities and aim to provide meaningful insights for interpreting students seeking to optimize their memory performance in professional settings.