Towards Intelligent Databases

This article is a presentation of the objectives and techniques of deductive databases. The deductive approach to databases aims at extending with intensional definitions other database paradigms that describe applications extensionaUy. We first show how constructive specifications can be expressed with deduction rules, and how normative conditions can be defined using integrity constraints. We outline the principles of bottom-up and top-down query answering procedures and present the techniques used for integrity checking. We then argue that it is often desirable to manage with a database system not only database applications, but also specifications of system components. We present such meta-level specifications and discuss their advantages over conventional approaches

In and Off the Show: Co-constructing ‘invisibility’ in an Interpreter-Mediated Talk Show Interview

This paper examines how participants in an interpreter-mediated televised interview communicate involvement in a shared event. It takes as a case in point an interview where Michail Gorbachev, accompanied by his interpreter Pavel Palazchenko, appear on the ALL TALK show, hosted by the BBC journalist Clive Anderson. Detailed analysis of the interview demonstrates how the interpreter’s physical presence helps shape a shared image of him as someone “just translating.” It is suggested, that the efficiency by which his translation work is communicated, apart from owing to the interpreter’s fluency in English and Russian, is due to the others’ communicative behaviour. While addressing one another as conversational partners and interacting with the studio audience and the viewer, they cast him variably as sharing and not fully sharing their ongoing exchange. Moreover, his efficiency as interpreter is shown to be a result of his ability to anticipate grammatical and pragmatic features of turn composition. Overall, the study demonstrates how detailed analyses of real-life interpreter-mediated interaction can assist in explaining and teasing apart the illusive “invisibility” of interpreters.Cet article examine comment les participants à une interview télévisée assistée par un interprète signalent leur engagement dans un événement partagé. Un exemple est fourni par l’interview où Mikhaïl Gorbatchev, accompagné de son interprète Pavel Palazchenko, intervient dans le ALL TALK show, animé par le journaliste de la BBC Clive Anderson. Une analyse fouillée de l’interview montre comment la présence physique de l’interprète aide à modeler une image partagée de sa personne en tant que « simple interprète ». L’analyse montre que l’efficacité de son travail de traduction est due non seulement à sa parfaite connaissance de l’anglais et du russe mais aussi au comportement communicatif des autres. Tout en discutant ensemble comme des partenaires de conversation et interagissant avec l’auditoire du studio et le téléspectateur, ils lui attribuent à la fois un rôle de participant et de non-participant à leurs échanges. De plus, son efficacité d’interprète semble résulter de sa capacité à anticiper les dispositifs grammaticaux et pragmatiques de la composition des tours de paroles. Plus généralement, cette étude montre comment des analyses détaillées en temps réel des interactions assistées par un interprète peuvent aider à démêler et mieux comprendre l’invisibilité illusoire de l’interprète

Throwing away the textbook: a process drama approach to teaching ESL in China

The author considers the effectiveness of process drama as a pedagogical method and questions the difference between process drama and the kinds of role-play commonly used in ESL classes. Adopting a process drama methodology the author delivered two Oral English courses for undergraduate students and at the conclusion of the course invited the students to evaluate their learning in the form of a focus group. The results of the research suggest that there are distinct advantages to using a process drama approach to teaching oral English. Students on the course not only improved their self-confidence and operational performance but also exhibited behaviours commonly attributed to autonomous learners. They were also able to identify these improvements in themselves and engage in goal setting for future learning

Corpus-based Interpreting Studies : early Work and Future Prospects

Aquest article fa una revisió dels projectes de recerca realitzats en el passat i en el present dins del camp dels Estudis d'Interpretació basats en Corpus (EIC). S'analitzen breument els obstacles generals que apareixen en la creació de còrpora electrònics destinats a l’estudi de la interpretació. Es subratllen també les principals raons per les quals el desenvolupament dels Estudis d'Interpretació basats en Corpus es troba encara en un estat menys avançat que el dels Estudis de Traducció basats en Corpus (ETC). Allò que es pot aprendre de les experiències passades i presents en el desenvolupament de còrpora d'interpretació pot suggerir maneres de salvar gradualment l'escull actual entre EIC i ETC.Este artículo hace una revisión de los proyectos de investigación realizados en el pasado y en el presente dentro del campo de los Estudios de Interpretación basados en Corpus (EIC). Se analizan brevemente los obstáculos generales que aparecen en la creación de corpus electrónicos destinados al estudio de la interpretación. Además, se hace hincapié en las principales razones por las que el desarrollo de los Estudios de Interpretación basados en Corpus se encuentra aún en un estado menos avanzado que el de los Estudios de Traducción basados en Corpus (ETC). Todo lo que podemos aprender de las experiencias pasadas y presentes en el desarrollo de corpus de interpretación puede sugerir maneras de salvar el desnivel entre EIC y ETC.The present paper offers an overview of past and ongoing research projects within the field of Corpus-based Interpreting Studies (CIS). General obstacles to the creation of machine-readable corpora to study interpreting are briefly discussed, highlighting the main reasons why the development of Corpus-based Interpreting Studies is still at a less advanced stage than that of Corpus-based Translation Studies (CTS). What can be learnt from past and current experiences in developing interpreting corpora may suggest ways to gradually bridge the existing gap between CIS and CTS

Corpus-based Interpreting Studies : early Work and Future Prospects

Aquest article fa una revisió dels projectes de recerca realitzats en el passat i en el present dins del camp dels Estudis d'Interpretació basats en Corpus (EIC). S'analitzen breument els obstacles generals que apareixen en la creació de còrpora electrònics destinats a l'estudi de la interpretació. Es subratllen també les principals raons per les quals el desenvolupament dels Estudis d'Interpretació basats en Corpus es troba encara en un estat menys avançat que el dels Estudis de Traducció basats en Corpus (ETC). Allò que es pot aprendre de les experiències passades i presents en el desenvolupament de còrpora d'interpretació pot suggerir maneres de salvar gradualment l'escull actual entre EIC i ETC.Este artículo hace una revisión de los proyectos de investigación realizados en el pasado y en el presente dentro del campo de los Estudios de Interpretación basados en Corpus (EIC). Se analizan brevemente los obstáculos generales que aparecen en la creación de corpus electrónicos destinados al estudio de la interpretación. Además, se hace hincapié en las principales razones por las que el desarrollo de los Estudios de Interpretación basados en Corpus se encuentra aún en un estado menos avanzado que el de los Estudios de Traducción basados en Corpus (ETC). Todo lo que podemos aprender de las experiencias pasadas y presentes en el desarrollo de corpus de interpretación puede sugerir maneras de salvar el desnivel entre EIC y ETC.The present paper offers an overview of past and ongoing research projects within the field of Corpus-based Interpreting Studies (CIS). General obstacles to the creation of machine-readable corpora to study interpreting are briefly discussed, highlighting the main reasons why the development of Corpus-based Interpreting Studies is still at a less advanced stage than that of Corpus-based Translation Studies (CTS). What can be learnt from past and current experiences in developing interpreting corpora may suggest ways to gradually bridge the existing gap between CIS and CTS

Designated or preferred? A deaf academic and two signed language interpreters working together for a PhD defence: A case study of best practice

In this paper we present an appreciative inquiry case study of our work together in a PhD defence, which we believe demonstrates a best practice in the field of signed language interpreting. We call into question the meaning and relevance of the ‘designated interpreter’ model, examining whether there is a ‘perfect formula’ for deaf academics and interpreters working together, not only in PhD defences, but also in academia more generally. We also challenge the very system for the provision of interpreter services as an institution creating structural inequalities, because it is heavily based on privilege. We argue that what is key is preference (i.e. the ability to exercise real choice) and familiarity, rather than the assignation of a ‘designated’ interpreter, and that simply achieving a degree in interpreting cannot guarantee that an interpreter will be prepared to meet the needs of deaf professionals. We also argue that sign language interpreter education needs to focus more than it does now on training to work into English (and/or other spoken languages in non-English-speaking countries), on performing visibly comfortable language work, and on specific specializations linked to deaf professional access and continuing professional development