Keywords: jiāotì chuányì, 交替传译, consecutive interpreting, consecutive translation, Chinese interpreter, business interpreting, liaison interpreting, alternating interpretation, professional translation services, 口译 (kǒuyì), 同声传译 (tóngshēng chuányì)
Summary: Discover the meaning of 交替传译 (jiāotì chuányì), the Chinese term for consecutive interpreting. This guide explains how this “turn-by-turn” method of oral translation is used in high-stakes business meetings, legal settings, and diplomatic events in China. Learn the difference between 交替传译 and simultaneous interpreting (同声传译), and see practical examples of how to use this term correctly.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): jiāotì chuányì
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: N/A (Advanced/Specialized)
Concise Definition: A mode of interpreting where the speaker talks for a short period and then pauses, allowing the interpreter to convey the message in the target language.
In a Nutshell: Imagine a conversation where only one person can speak at a time. First, Person A speaks in Chinese for a minute or two. Then, they stop. The interpreter then speaks, relaying Person A's message in English. Then Person B responds in English, pauses, and the interpreter relays their message back in Chinese. That back-and-forth, “turn-taking” process is 交替传译 (jiāotì chuányì). It is deliberate, precise, and common in smaller, formal settings.
Character Breakdown
交 (jiāo): To hand over, cross, exchange, or alternate. Think of two things intersecting or trading places.
替 (tì): To replace, take the place of, or substitute.
传 (chuán): To pass on, transmit, or convey. Imagine passing a message along a line of people.
译 (yì): To translate or interpret. This character is composed of the “speech” radical (言) on the left.
The characters combine logically: 交替 (jiāotì) means “to alternate” or “in turns.” 传译 (chuányì) means “to transmit through interpretation.” Together, 交替传译 (jiāotì chuányì) literally means “to interpret by alternating” or “interpreting in turns.”
Cultural Context and Significance
交替传译 (jiāotì chuányì) is not just a technical term; it reflects a certain communication style valued in formal Chinese contexts like business and diplomacy. Unlike the non-stop flow of simultaneous interpreting, consecutive interpreting forces a slower, more deliberate pace. This allows all parties to listen carefully, consider their words, and observe non-verbal cues.
Comparison to “Networking Events”: In Western culture, a fast-paced business meeting might be seen as efficient. However, in many high-level Chinese negotiations, the measured pace of consecutive interpreting is preferred. It builds a sense of gravitas and shows respect for the process. The pauses are not “wasted time” but moments for reflection and relationship-building, aligning with cultural values like prudence (谨慎, jǐnshèn) and giving face (给面子, gěi miànzi). While the West has consecutive interpreting, its use in China often carries this extra weight of formality and deliberate relationship management.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Formality: This is a formal, professional term. You will hear it when discussing professional services, not in casual conversation.
Common Contexts:
Business Negotiations (商务谈判, shāngwù tánpàn): Used in boardrooms and high-stakes meetings where precision is paramount.
Legal Settings (法律场合, fǎlǜ chǎnghé): Essential for depositions, witness interviews, and client-attorney meetings.
Medical Consultations (医疗咨询, yīliáo zīxún): For detailed doctor-patient discussions where accuracy can be life-or-death.
Press Conferences (记者招待会, jìzhě zhāodàihuì): Often used for Q&A sessions where a speaker gives a detailed answer, then pauses for the interpreter.
Diplomatic Meetings (外交会晤, wàijiāo huìwù): A classic use case for bilateral talks between leaders.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
这次重要的商务谈判，我们需要一位经验丰富的交替传译员。
Pinyin: Zhè cì zhòngyào de shāngwù tánpàn, wǒmen xūyào yī wèi jīngyàn fēngfù de jiāotì chuányì yuán.
English: For this important business negotiation, we need an experienced consecutive interpreter.
Analysis: This sentence shows the term used in a typical business context to specify the type of interpreter required.
同声传译 (tóngshēng chuányì): Speaker talks continuously, interpreter talks at the same time with a few seconds delay, usually from a soundproof booth. (Simultaneous).
Common Mistake: Using them interchangeably. A client asking for `同传 (tóngchuán)` for a 3-person business meeting is asking for the wrong service; they almost certainly need `交传 (jiāochuán)`.
交替传译 vs. 陪同口译 (péitóng kǒuyì):
交替传译 is formal and typically involves longer chunks of speech and note-taking. It focuses on accurately rendering a prepared or structured monologue.
陪同口译 (péitóng kǒuyì), or “escort interpreting,” is more conversational and less formal. It's used for factory tours, informal dinners, or travel. The interpreting happens sentence-by-sentence in a more fluid, conversational way.
Common Mistake: A learner might think any back-and-forth interpreting is `交替传译`. But casually helping a friend at a market is not `交替传译`; it's just informal interpreting (口译). `交替传译` implies a professional setting and structure.
Why it's wrong: This is too formal. You are simply “translating” or “interpreting” for a friend.
Correct: `我在帮我的朋友翻译菜单。` (Wǒ zài bāng wǒ de péngyǒu fānyì càidān.)
Related Terms and Concepts
同声传译 (tóngshēng chuányì) - Simultaneous interpreting. The other main mode of professional interpreting, done in real-time.
口译 (kǒuyì) - Oral interpretation. The general umbrella term that includes both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting.
笔译 (bǐyì) - Written translation. The counterpart to oral interpretation, dealing with written documents.
翻译 (fānyì) - The broadest term for translation/interpreting, both written and oral. In casual speech, it's often used for any kind of language conversion.
译员 (yìyuán) - Interpreter / Translator. The professional who performs the service.
会议口译 (huìyì kǒuyì) - Conference interpreting. A specialization that can involve either consecutive or simultaneous modes.
陪同口译 (péitóng kǒuyì) - Escort / Liaison interpreting. A more informal, sentence-by-sentence mode of interpreting for tours or informal meetings.
耳语传译 (ěryǔ chuányì) - Whispered interpreting (chuchotage). A form of simultaneous interpreting where the interpreter whispers directly into the ear of one or two clients.