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long-term memory can store much larger quantities of information for potentially unlimited duration (sometimes a whole life span). While short-term memory encodes information acoustically, long-term memory encodes it semantically.
2.2.4 Comparison between Short-term Memory and Long-term Memory
Psychological studies of human memory make a distinction between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM). The idea of short-term memory simply means that you are retaining information for a short period of time without creating the neural mechanisms for later recall. Long-term memory occurs when you have created neural pathways for storing ideas and information which can then be recalled weeks, months, or even years later. To create these pathways, you must make a deliberate attempt to encode the information in the way you intend to recall it later. Long-term memory is a learning process. And it is essentially an important part of the interpreter's acquisition of knowledge, because information stored in LTM may last for minutes to weeks, months, or even an entire life. The duration of STM is very short. “It usually ranges from 5 to 20 seconds and no more than 1 minute.” (Cheng Zhengfang, 2003, 71.)
2.3 Memory’s functions
Memory is used to link one’s past and present which is a fundamental brain mechanism of a healthy man related to his study, work and life. There is no chance for human beings can be progressive if we do not have the capability to remember things. It tells us what experience we have had, some of them may not be happy or successful. At present, we can avoid such an unpleasant thing if we can learn from the past by use of memory. On the other hand, memory makes a man wealthier in spirit. Knowledge is inherited by memory. The older we grow, the more we understand. It also plays a very important role in newly occupations such as secretary and interpretation.
3. Memory’s roles in interpretation
People who are at home and abroad have given their explanations that what interpretation is.
Interpretation is a language activity which includes listening,
speaking, reading, writing and translating, which enables the people
who come from different countries to reach accurate, effective and
successful communication.(Wang Binhua, 1998, 3.)
Mahmoodzadeh gives a more detailed definition of interpreting:
Interpreting consists of presenting in the target language, the exact
meaning of what is uttered in the source language either simultaneously
or consecutively, preserving the tone of the speaker (1992,231.)
Mahmoodzadeh also emphasizes that a skillful interpreter is expected
to "have a powerful memory." (1992:233.)
The function of memory in interpretation is fulfilled by the combination of Short-term Memory and Long-term Memory .However, the former one occupies largely the place. “What we use most in the process of interpretation is Short-term Memory.” Wang Binhua, 1998, 22.) It is the reason that the immediateness of interpretation本论文由英语论文网 www.51lunwen.org整理提供 requires no much time to use Long-term Memory. Therefore, at most cases, Short-term Memory is what we talk about in interpretation. Daniel Gile, a famous French researcher in interpretation, states how an interpreter’s energy is distributed during the process of simultaneous interpretation and consecutive interpretation:
SI (simultaneous interpretation) = L+M+P+C ( listening and analysis +
short-term memory + s