Unit 3 dinner party
U n i t T h r e e
D i n n e r P a r t y
Unit Objectives (单元目标)
After reading this unit, you should
understand the importance and guidelines of active listening.
find ways to improve your interpreting skills and performance.
master the basic words and expressions about dinner party.
know some cultural background knowledge about dinner party.
Preparing
I. Interpreting Skills (口译技能)
Read the following presentation about active listening and try to
understand the guidelines for active listening. Then complete the
following task:
1. Listen to the passage, “Restaurant Etiquette” and answer the following
questions:
1) What is the main idea of the speech?
2) At American restaurants, what are you usually served before you
order?
3) Why do some customers ask f or a “doggie bag”?
4) Does every state make its own laws about the sale of alcohol in
America?
5) How much tip is usually expected in American restaurants?
2. Listen to the passage again and try to catch the key words and details, then
retell the story in your own words.
Decoding Training (I): Active Listening（积极听入）
Decoding in Interpreter’s Training
Interpreting is a decoding-memorizing-encoding (解码-记忆-编码) process. Decoding is the first step interpreting. To reconstruct ideas clearly and effectively, interpreters must first of all understand them correctly. An interpreter needs acute listening and understanding. If interpreters’ Decoding Effort fails, the other efforts become meaningless, so does the whole interpreting process.
In the context of interpreting, an interpreter should be aware that “to hear” is not merely to know all the words that are being spoken, but to grasp the main ideas of the original speech, for it is meaning that is to be interpreted, not the words. The pure understanding of words alone is not sufficient for interpreters to reconstruct ideas effectively. Interpreters must be able to seize meaning when they listen to the speaker, and they must therefore listen actively.
Three Guidelines for Active Listening
Both CI and SI require concentrated listening or active listening instead of ordinary listening, which means that the interpreter avoids all distractions, concentrating on the job at hand. To listen actively, the interpreter’s brain must be active. It must perceive the sounds correctly and constantly focus on the information conveyed by the sounds. In order to maintain active listening, interpreters are suggested to follow the following three guidelines（原则）.
1. Listen to the Meanings instead of Words
What the speaker tries to convey（传达）and what the listener is interested in is not the words but the message. To render the speaker’s idea is interpreter’s top priority（首要任务）. Therefore, interpreters are expected to follow the speaker closely and catch the idea while listening.
2. Listen for both Content and Attitude
The total meaning of message consists of both idea and feeling. The speakers choose their own sentence structures and speak in their own tone to express their idea. The same sentence may mean differently by different speakers or by the same speaker who speak in different tones. Interpreters, therefore, shall consider both the content（内容）and the speaker’s attitude（态度）.
3. Listen with Ears, Eyes and Heart
Interpreting is a highly demanding profession. Listening is the first step in interpreting. Interpreter’s decoding decides whether or not the speaker’s message can be correctly transferred. Interpreters shall listen with undivided attention and with the intention to receive the intended message. What they shall resort to is not simply their ears, but also their eyes and heart.
Three Methods to Listen Actively
To understand more accurately the speaker’s intended message, interpreters must pay constant and careful attention. To improve the efficiency of active listening, interpreters often utilize（利用）several methods to help them focus on listening and collecting information. Following are some suggested methods for active listening.
1. Sit or Stand Comfortably Upright
In the course of interpreting, interpreters usually have to sit or stand beside the speaker, or sit in the booth（口译箱）. Interpreter’s sitting or standing posture will surely exert an impact on their listening. In order to keep alert and limit distractions（分心）, it is advisable that interpreters first of all make sure they are in a comfortable position.
2. Observe the Speaker’s Body Language
As we all know, people speak in both verbal language and body language（身体语言）. The speaker’s message shall be understood on the basis of his choice of words and his body language. Speaker’s body language like gestures（手势）, eye contact（眼神）and facial expressions（表情）sometimes gives hints（暗示）and tells the true story. Speaker’s facial expressions may tell the listener what he really mean.
3. Try to Visualize the Words
Visualization（视觉化）is a tactic of conceiving ideas in the mind through pictures or images. By visualizing the speaker’s words, interpreters may identify（识别）the speaker’s main idea more easily. Such a skill helps the interpreter focus attention on the meaning of words used rather than the forms of the words.
II. Phrase Interpreting (短语口译)
Work on the following words and phrases. Interpret them into Chinese
and English respectively.
A. English to Chinese
1. Business luncheon
2. Soft drink
3. Buffet reception
4. Gourmet
5. Preservative-free
6. Gain popularity
7. Propose a toast 8. Continental breakfast
9. Junk food 10. French fries
B. Chinese to English
1、款待
2、美味佳肴
3、忌讳
4、招牌菜
5、晚宴
6、菜系
7、用筷子 8、用餐举止
9、酸辣汤 10、酸奶
III. Sentence Interpreting （句子口译）
Work on the following sentences. Interpret them into Chinese and
English respectively.
A. English to Chinese
1. Sichuan food is famous for its numerous varieties of delicacies and strong flavors, and is best
known for being spicy-hot.
2. Cantonese cuisine emphasizes light cooking with seemingly limitless range of ingredients.
3. The careful coordination of such a series of delicate activities as selecting ingredients, mixing
flavors, timing the cooking, controlling the heat and finally, laying out the food on the plate for the table are the typical characteristics of Chinese food.
4. Nearly endless variety of natural ingredients and methods of preparation are employed in Chinese
cuisine/cooking.
5. May I propose a toast to the health of His Excellency the Ambassador and Mme Smith?
B. Chinese to English
1 谢谢史密斯先生的热情洋溢的欢迎词，感谢欧中贸协的盛情邀请和热情款待。
2 我非常高兴有机会出席这次欧中贸易协会举办的午餐报告会。
3 中餐先上冷盘，而西餐则先上汤。
4 请允许我邀请各位与我一起举杯，为我们双方的友谊和合作干杯。
5 请尝尝我的拿手菜。
Performing
I. Decoding--Notes Taking （笔记记录）
Listen to the recordings of Text A. Try to catch the main ideas of the
speech. Note down the key points while you are listening. Then tell the
main ideas of the speech with the help of your notes.
II. Memorizing--Story Retelling （故事复述）
Listen to the recordings of Text A again. Try to catch more details and
improve your notes. Then retell the speech in your own words with the
help of your notes.
III. Encoding--Message Reconstructing（信息重组）
Listen to the recordings of Text A paragraph by paragraph. Take notes
when necessary and start interpreting during the pauses.
Text A
President Gao, Distinguished guests, Our Chinese Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a special honor for me to have a chance to speak on behalf of all the members of our delegation, I would like to express our sincere thanks to president Gao for inviting us, and for all the hard work and thought you have given to the arrangements for our visit. We are also grateful for such a marvelous dinner tonight.
I hope that we shall all enjoy the business exchanges and friendly contact in the following days. Every member of our delegations hopes that the rate of trade between the two countries will increase in the future through our mutual efforts. And I think that only by free flow of visitors can trade develop satisfactorily.
I’m very impressed by the hospitality and warmth by which you have received us. You must have had a very busy time making all the preparations. We are especially thankful to you for arranging all the preparations. We are especially thankful to you for arranging the meeting and everything that you have done on our account. I hope that Mr. Gao and other Chinese friends will be able to visit our country in the future, so that we will have the chance to be host and return some of your kindness.
Quite apart from business contracts, these meetings will surely help enhance the understanding and friendship between us. Well begun is half done, as we say. I hope this will pave the way for further business relations between our two countries.
In closing, I would like to invite you to join me in a toast. To the trade and friendship between us! To the health of our Chinese friends! Cheers !
IV. Coordinating—Field Interpreting（现场口译）
Listen to the recordings of Text B. Take some notes when necessary and
interpret the text with the help of your notes.
Text B
Situation: Mr. Hang is the chief executive officer of Huada Company. On behalf of the company, he held a dinner to entertain an the important client. Mr. Hampton from Legend
Company.
Hang: 想吃中餐还是西餐？
Hampton: Chinese food, please.
Hang: 好的，你们想用筷子吗？
Hampton: Yes, of course. As the saying goes, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.’’ Although I can’t get along with them, I’d like to learn to handle them.
Hang: 因为这是你们第一次来中国，我想给你们介绍一些真正的中国菜。真正的中国菜强调色、香、味、形。
Waiter:请问点什么菜？
Hang:糖醋鱼、麻婆豆腐、红烧牛肉以及上汤焗龙虾。
(After the dishes are served)
Hang:请随便吃菜。
Hampton: Oh! That’s splendid. No wonder people say the Chinese are hospitable.
Hang: 想喝点什么？白兰地还是红酒？
Hampton: Brandy is too strong for me, just a glass of red wine, please.
Hang:好的，我来给您倒酒。
Hampton: Thank you.
Hang: 大家开始吧。大家请坐，首先我提议我们一起举杯为我们在座的朋友的健康和友谊干杯！
All: 干杯！
Hang: 汉普敦先生，请让我给您倒酒，不要拘束，请随便。
Hampton: The dishes really look inviting. They are really colorful, fragrant, delicious and presentable.
（After the dinner）
Hang:汉普敦先生，您觉得今天的菜可口吗？
Hampton: Yes, these dishes are all delicious, especially Special Style Lobster.
Hang:我很高兴你喜欢中国菜。还要点什么吗？
Hampton:No, thanks. I am positively full. At this point, I should like to propose a toast to our friends. Mr. Hang. I wish your company a great success. To our friendship and
cooperation, bottoms up.
Packaging
I. Interpreting and Assessment （口译与评估）
Work in groups. Listen to the recordings of Text C. Take some notes
while listening. Interpret the text with the help of your notes. The other
members are expected to evaluate the interpreters’ performance with the
peer’s assessment form.
Text C
女士们，先生们：
我代表本公司向应邀前来访问的美国Star公司代表团表示热烈的欢迎。据我所知，有关人士正在为代表团安排了一个全面的参观计划。对此，我无需赘述。
我刚刚听到我们两家公司已达成建立合资公司的协议。这使我们两家公司的合作大大向前迈进了一步。我相信，我们正在加拿大访问的董事长一定希望我能代表本公司向在座的各位表达一下，我们得知这个好消息时的兴奋心情。
除了贸易以外，你们的来访肯定会加强我们彼此之间的友谊和合作。俗话说，“良好的开端是成功的一半”。我深信，你们的这次访问将会带来更多的交流和合作。
最后请各位举杯，为我们的合作和友谊，为在座的各位健康干杯！
Peer's Assessment Form
1. Delivery A B C D
1.1 Is the articulation or intonation unnatural? □□□□
1.2 Are there any irritating outburst or exaggerated fillers? □□□□
1.3 Are there any excessive repairs or unfinished sentences? □□□□
1.4 Is the voice unpleasant or unconvincing? □□□□
2. Language
2.1 Are there any irritating mispronunciations? □□□□
2.2 Are there any irritating grammatical mistakes? □□□□
2.3 Are there any unidiomatic expressions? □□□□
3. Coherence
3.1 Are there any abrupt beginnings or endings? □□□□
3.2 Is the performance incoherent? □□□□
3.3 Is the message implausible or illogical? □□□□
4. Loyalty
4.1 Are there any significant omissions? □□□□
4.2 Are there any unjustified changes? □□□□
4.3 Are there any unjustified additions? □□□□
II. Feedback and Comments （反馈与评论）
After you finish the interpretation, tell your classmates and teacher how
you feel about your performance. Then the teacher will make an overall
comment on your performance and give you some suggestion.
Aims of this Unit
Student’s Feedback
Teacher’s Comments
The candidate has met the standard, knowledge and skill requirements.
Candidates: _____________________ Date ______________________
Assessor: ______________________ Date ______________________
Supplementary Exercises (补充练习)
Task I Simulation Exercises（模拟练习）
Work in groups. Role-play the following situations with your partners,
acting as the Chinese speaker, English speaker and the interpreter
respectively. One group will be invited to perform in class.
Task 2 Vocabulary Development （词汇扩展）
Read the following words and expressions. Try to keep them in mind and find more to enrich your language bank.
A. Useful Words & Expressions
工作午餐 working / business luncheon 冷餐招待会 buffet reception 晚宴
dinner party / banquet 款待 to entertain
色、香、味 color, flavor and taste. 四大菜系 four major cuisines 美味佳肴 delicacies / specialties
用筷子 to manage / handle chopsticks 用餐举止 table manners 忌讳
taboo
红/绿/茉莉花茶 black / green / jasmine tea
馋涎欲滴 (of the mouth) to start watering 美食家 gourmet 麻辣
spicy and hot 时（菜）谱 recipe / menu
小米粥/绿豆粥 millet congee/ congee with green beans 消毒
to pasteurize /sterilize
不含防腐剂 free of preservative; to contain no preservative; preservative-free
备受青睐 to enjoy / gain popularity 特色/招牌菜 specialty
药膳
medicated diet; health food 佐料的调配
the blending of seasoning
菜肴的装盘、摆放、和图案
the layout and design of the dishes
You are a secretary in the Company Q&Q. A visitor from New York is coming for a five-day conference. You go to the airport to welcome him, In the evening you take the visitor to a western food restaurant where your manager welcomes him on behalf of your company. Try to entertain your visitor.
You are the marketing manager of Company Avon and you are visiting the Chinese Company Q&Q for a five-day conference. At the airport, a Chinese lady receives you, takes you to the hotel to check in and talks to you about your itinerary. Then, in the evening, you have dinner with the Chinese company manager in a Chinese food restaurant.
致祝酒词To make the toast
客套话polite formulas
中餐菜名译文
头盘餐前小品Appetizers 锅贴
鸡沙律
酥炸生豪
五香牛展
白云凤爪
Pot Sticker
Chicken Salad
Fried Oysters
Special Beef
Chicken Leg
汤羹类Soup 酸辣汤
法国海鲜汤
法国杂菜汤
芥菜肉片咸蛋汤
火鸭咸蛋芥菜汤
Hot & Sour Soup
French Style Seafood Soup
French Style Vegetable Soup
Mustard Green Salted Egg Soup
Roast Duck Salt Egg / Mustard Green
龙虾蟹类Seafood (Lobster, Shrimp,
Crab) 法式咖喱焗龙虾
上汤焗龙虾
上汤姜葱焗蟹
椒盐蟹
粉丝咖喱蟹煲
French Curry Lobster
Special Style Lobster
Green Onion Crab
Spicy Salt Crab
Rice Noodle Curry Crab
虾鲜鱿贝类Seafood 白灼中虾
柠檬虾球
蒜茸蒸虾
豆瓣酱鲜鱿
椒盐鲜鱿
Boil Shrimp
Lemon Prawn
Steam Prawn w/ Garlic Sauce
Fresh Squid
Pepper Salt Fresh Squid
海鲜鱼类Seafood (Fish) 清蒸游水石斑
清蒸蒜茸带子
清蒸海鲈
蒸金钱片塘虱
辣汁串烧鱼
Steam Live Rock Cod
Steamed Scallop w/ Garlic Sauce
Fomfret
Steam Catfish
B & Q Fish Stick w/ Hot Sauce
鸡鸭鸽Poultry 脆皮炸子鸡
红烧石岐项鸽
姜葱油淋鸡
北京片皮鸭
咖喱鸡
Fried Chicken
Roast Pigeon
Green Onion Chicken
Peking Duck
Curry Chicken
猪牛肉类Meat 椒盐排骨
凉瓜炒牛肉
黑椒牛仔骨
中式牛柳
麻婆豆腐
Pepper Salt Spareribs
Bitty Melon Beef
Black Pepper Short Rib
Chinese Style Beef
Mar-Boh Tofu
煲仔类Clay Pot Style 鸡粒咸鱼茄子煲
粉丝虾米杂菜煲
罗白牛腩煲
火腩生豪煲
鱼香茄子煲
Salt Fish Chicken Egg Plant Clay Pot
Rice Noodle Vegetables Clay Pot
Beef Stew w/ Turnip Clay Pot
Roast Pig Oyster Clay Pot
Eggplant in Clay Pot
素菜类Vegetarian 豪油冬菇
红烧豆腐
罗汉腐皮卷
素咕噜肉
蒸山水豆腐
Oyster Sauce Mushroom
Fried Tofu
Vegetable Egg Roll
Vegetarian Sweet and Sour
Steam Tofu
炒粉、面、饭Rice Plate 杨州炒饭
鸳鸯馒头
上汤水饺
上汤云吞
丝苗白饭
Yang Chow Fried Rice
Shanghai Buns (12)
Dumpling Soup
Won Ton soup
Steam Rice
甜品Dessert 雪哈红莲
椰汁炖雪哈
玫瑰红豆沙
椰汁西米露
百年好合
Bird Nest Red Bean Soup
Coconut Bird Nest
Red Bean Soup
Coconut Tapioca
Red Bean Fresh Lily Bulb
西餐/ 菜Western food 欧式早餐
西瓜/葡萄/橘子/番茄/
椰子/苹果汁
柠檬水
酸奶
不含酒精的饮料
日本清酒
方便食品
汉堡包
比萨饼
汉堡王
玉米卷钟
炸薯条/煎薯片
意大利面和通心粉
Continental breakfast
Watermelon/grape/orange/tomato/
coconut/apple juice
Lemonade
Yogurt
Soft drink
Japanese Sake
Junk food
Hamburger
Pizza
Burger King
Taco Bell
French fries/ potato chips
Italian spaghetti and macaroni
B. Sample Sentences
Order ?We want two number eights, please.
?What is the specialty of the restaurant?
?Do you have any special meals today?
?What would you recommend?
?I prefer something light. I'll leave it to you.
?Could you tell me how this dish is cooked?
?It's a most popular dish.
?I'll try some lobster, and I’ll have the green salad. Entertain ?Do you like Chinese food?
?Help yourself to…
?Try some …
?Make yourself at home.
?Hope you’ve enjoyed yourself / the dinner.
?It’s very kind of you to say so.
Toast ?Cheers !
?May I propose a toast to….
?Let’s raise our glasses to….
?Let us drink to…
?May I invite you join me in a toast to….
?Here’s to your success / health!
Task 3 Cultural Salon （文化沙龙）
Read the following presentation and try to get some cultural knowledge
about dinner party.
Dinners
After you have accepted an invitation to a dinner or a party, you should know how to be a good guest. Being a good guest in a western country is usually very simple. If you are going to visit a friend’s family, the host and hostess expect you to be yourself. That is, they expect you to act naturally. Whether you are invited to dine in a colleague’s home or a restaurant, bringing your best table manners along is a good idea.
GIFTS –When you are invited to someone’s home, bring along a token of your appreciation. It can be as simple as a jar of homemade jam or as elaborate as a fine bottle of wine. The host/hostess will be grateful that you care about them.
CLOTHING–When you receive an invitation, ask about the style of dress. Consider the purpose or type of party and the time of day when choosing the appropriate outfit. Never wear a hat at the table or a casual sleeveless shirt. Of course, if it is a business dinner party, you should dress as formal as possible.
NAPKIN –Always place the napkin on your lap when you first sit down. Fold it so that a quarter is folded over at the top. This provides you with double protection from spills.
POSTURE– Relax and enjoy time with others. Do not rock back in the dinning chair and do not prop yourself up with your elbows on the table. Placing the forearm on the table edge is okay.
When cutting the food, keep your elbows close to your body. They should rest comfortably near your side.
GRACE– Wait for the host/ hostess to pick up their fork before you start to eat. If it is their custom to say a prayer before eating, you should not be embarrassed.
NOISE– Turn off your beeper and cell phone until the dinner is over. Do not slurp soup or blow on hot food and beverages. Do not speak with food in your mouth. If you must blow your nose, excuse yourself from the table.
LEAVING–After the dinner or party, keep the host / hostess in the mind, and leave at an appropriate time. Do not ask for a take-home bag of food.
FOLLOW-UP – Always send a “Thank you” note the next day. If you cannot find the time for
this, call the next day and express your appreciation.
RESTAURANTS– 15% of the bill total is the usual tip, however, for excellent service 20% or more is the norm.
Task 4 Interpreting Practice (口译实践)
Work on the following sentences and text. Interpret them into Chinese
and English respectively.
A. Sentence Interpreting
1. 你们一起买单，还是各自付账？
2. 我吃西餐喜欢用刀叉，这叫“入乡随俗”嘛。
3. 茅台是我国最负盛名的烈酒，上口但不上脑。
4. 我不喝酒，我太太也滴酒不占。
5. 我国悠久的历史、广袤的国土孕育了中餐烹饪的独特艺术。
B. Text Interpreting
Text D
Many Change are taking place in Americans’ food styles. The United States is traditionally famous for its very solid and unchanging diet of meat and potatoes. Now, in addition to the traditional home-cooked meal, we have many different alternatives to choose from: such as nutrition-balanced health food, convenient and delicious fast food and so on.
Health food gained popularity when people began to think more seriously about their physical health. Health food includes natural food with minimal processing. Most health food enthusiasts are vegetarians. They eat no meat and they prefer to get their essential proteins from other sources, such as beans, cheese, and eggs.
Fast-food can be seen all over the country. Speed is a very important factor in the life of an American. People usually have a short lunch break or they just do not want to waste their time eating. Because fast-food restaurants are places which take care of hundreds of people in a short time, there is usually very little waiting. And the food is always cheap.
Self-assessment (自我评价)
Go over this unit and try to make an assessment on what your have learned and
performed with the following self-assessment form.
Student Self-assessment Form
1. Interpreting Skills— Active Listening A B C D
1.1 Definition of decoding □□□□
1.2 Importance of decoding □□□□
1.3 Three guidelines for active listening □□□□
1.4 Three methods to listen actively □□□□
2. Linguistic Notes about Dinner Party
2.1 Useful words and expressions □□□□
2.2 Sample sentences □□□□
3. Cultural Notes about Dinner Party
3.1 Dinner party behaviors □□□□
3.2 Table Manners □□□□
3.3 Restaurant tips □□□□
4. Phrase Interpreting about Dinner Party
4.1 Chinese-English □□□□
4.2 English-Chinese □□□□
5. Sentence Interpreting about Dinner Party
5.1 Chinese-English □□□□
5.2 English-Chinese □□□□
6. Text Interpreting about Dinner Party
6.1 Text A □□□□
6.2 Text B □□□□
6.3 Text C □□□□
6.4 Text D □□□□
7. Simulation Exercises about Dinner Party
7.1 Situation A □□□□
7.2 Situation B □□□□
Points to Remember（单元要点）
Decoding is the first step in interpreting.
Both CI and SI require not ordinary listening but active listening.
Interpreters listen to meaning instead of words, they listen for both content and attitude, and they listen with ears, eyes, heart.
To improve the efficiency of active listening, interpreters are supposed to sit or stand comfortably upright; observe the speaker’s body language; and try to
visualize the words.