The Analysis of Semantic Features of theSimultaneous Interpretation of Speech

摘要：本文運用文体学理论，从语义层面对博鳌亚洲论坛2018年年会开幕式上的演讲的同声传译文本进行分析，指出其在语义层面的特征并做出详细阐释，使读者能够更好地了解公共演讲的文体特点，即在不同的语言环境下运用不同的语言手段来表达意图，以达到演讲目的。并且文体分析的方法有助于培养听众的欣赏能力和分析能力。

Abstract：Based on stylistic theory，this paper analyzes the simultaneous interpretation of speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference 2018 from the semantic level. This paper points out its semantic features and explains in detail so that readers can better understand the stylistic features of public speaking，that is，to use different language means to express their intentions in different language environments to achieve the purpose of speech. And stylistic analysis helps to cultivate audiences appreciation and analytical ability.

Key Words：public speech;stylistics;semantic features

ⅠIntroduction

Stylistic refers to the style of speaking or writing，which changes at any time，depending on factors such as specific situations，objects，locations，topics，etc.（Liu Shisheng，Zhu Ruiqing，2006）. As an important means of writing style，stylistic analysis can not only help us comprehend the meaning of the text，but also provide us with more objective basis to excavate the aesthetic value of the style，so it is widely used in various literary styles，such as poetry，fiction，drama and so on，and has received considerable effect. Public speaking as a special applied style，its main purpose is to stimulate the feelings of the audience and get the support of the audience. Through the content of speech，people can accept or reject some idea，take or give up some action. Because of this，public speaking has its unique stylistic features. Based on stylistic theory，this paper analyzes the simultaneous interpretation of speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference 2018 from the semantic level and aims at helping us understand the characteristics of the seriousness and vividness of the public speech，and learning some of the skills of the speech，and then have a general grasp of the characteristics of this type of style.

ⅡTheoretical basis

2.1 The definition of public speech

Public speeches are speeches delivered in public for a special purpose，such as open-class lectures or seminars in a university，religious preaches in the church，speeches delivered at a meeting or conference，etc. The purposes of public speech are to define something or explain something to arouse the interest of the audience or obtain their support.

2.2 Semantic features of public speech

2.2.1 In comparison

（1）simile：A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two things. Similes emphasize similarities between different objects.

（2）metaphor：Metaphor is an implied rather than stated comparison between two unlike elements. It is used about something that does not literally suggest a similarity. Metaphors create vivid mental pictures in audiences mind，and therefore make the speech rich in meaning，and as a result，very persuasive and effective.

（3）analogy：An analogy is a spoken or textual comparison between two words（or sets of words）to highlight some form of semantic similarity between them. Such analogies can be used to strengthen political and philosophical arguments.

（4）personification：It is a figure of speech where human qualities are given to objects or ideas. The non-human objects are portrayed in such a way that we feel they can act like human beings. Personification is usually employed to add the vividness to expression. It can add aesthetic qualities to a work and provide a way for author to describe inanimate objects. It also inserts more meaning into the inexplicable things like forces of nature. Often the use of personification also helps to show a characters own attitudes toward a certain thing if they project or ascribe their own feelings onto an inanimate object.

2.2.2 In contrast and juxtaposition

（1）parallelism：The parallelism in the political speech is a very common rhetorical method. The sentence pattern is neat，well-organized and enthusiastic，and it can express strong feelings and enhance the momentum of language.

（2）antithesis：It defined as “a figure of speech involving a seeming contradiction of ideas，words，clauses，or sentences within a balanced grammatical structure”. They typically make a sentence more memorable for the reader or listener through balance and emphasis of the words.

（3）climax：It implies the progression of thought at a uniform or almost uniform rate of significance or intensity，like the steps of a ladder ascending evenly. It can strengthen the mood and the impression of the audience is gradually deepened.

Ⅲ An analysis of the case of the simultaneous interpretation of speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference 2018 based on the semantic features of public speech

3.1 In comparison

（1）simile：eg：Investment environment is like air，and only fresh air attracts more investment from the outside.

Investment environment is an abstract concept but here we can have a clearer picture of investment environment by thinking the attributes of air. People like fresh air，so does the investment. If investment environment is as fresh as air，more investment will be attracted to China. This simile emphasizes the similarity between these two things and transfers an abstract concept into a concrete one. By using this figure of speech，the speaker indicated that in order to pursue further opening，China will create a more attractive investment environment as fresh as air.

（2）metaphor：eg：The world has become a global village.

In this sentence，the world is likened to a global village. The whole world is likened to a small village，which means that in the Internet age，weve gotten closer to each other. By using metaphor，the speaker means that to promote common prosperity and development in todays world，we have to pursue greater connectivity and integrated development.

（3）analogy：eg：Just like the radiance of the sun is reflected by a drop of water，the development of a country may be epitomized by an individual region.

We can see that the relationship between “the radiance of the sun” and “a drop of water” is semantically like that between “the development of a country” and “an individual region” through the two predicates “is reflected” and “may be epitomized”. It shows that Hainans development over the past four decades is the great evidence of Chinas reform and opening-up.

（4）personification：eg：We must ensure that various security mechanisms coordinate with each other in an inclusive and complementary manner.

In this sentence，the words “coordinate” is a verb of actions that only human do and ‘inclusive and complementary are the adjectives that describe human qualities. They are，essentially the unique characteristics of human beings. It can help us relate actions of inanimate objects to our own emotions to add the effectiveness and availability of the mechanisms.

3.2 In contrast and juxtaposition

（1）parallelism：eg：I am confident that with these efforts，Chinas financial sector will be much more competitive，our capital market will continue to enjoy healthy development，the building of a system of modern industries will be accelerated，our market environment will be greatly improved，and intellectual property rights will be effectively protected. In short，China will enter a new phase of opening-up.

A series of six charming ‘will be shows the changes that will take place. The sentence pattern is neat and the rhythm is clear. The speech has expressed speakers determination to implement a series of important measures for opening up to the outside world. He has a persistent attitude and a good prediction for the future.

（2）antithesis：eg：We should uphold the five principles of peaceful coexistence，respect the social system and development path independently chosen by each country，respect each others core interests and major concerns，and follow a new approach to state-to-state relations featuring dialogue rather than confrontation，and partnership instead of alliance.

“Rather than”，“instead of”，these two typical opposite expressions show that China prefers to hold “dialogue” and “partnership” with other countries. Furthermore，it shows chinas cooperative and friendly attitude towards other countries. And it makes the audience realize the importance of openness to the development of our country.

（3）climax：eg：The Chinese people have made opening-up a fundamental national policy，pursued development with an open door，and accomplished a great transition from seclusion and semi-seclusion to all-round openness.

“Made policy，pursue development，accomplish transition” embodies the process is advanced step by step and finally reach the top. It reflected that Chinese people have a firm goal and use the right method to achieve it. Besides，the sentence also embodies that to achieve the goal，Chinese people arent afraid of hardship. It can show to audience brave and indomitable spirit of Chinese people.

Ⅳ conclusion

The analysis of the speech from the stylistic perspective helps the audience to understand the stylistic features of the speech，and helps the audience realize that，in different backgrounds，different subjects and different audiences will make the speaker choose the appropriate vocabulary，sentence pattern and rhetorical method to achieve the purpose of the speech. The stylistic analysis of the speech is helpful to cultivate our ability to appreciate the English text，and to improve the studentsability to analyze and appreciate them，and to achieve the purpose of cultivating students ability to think. Through the above analysis，we can see that the speech embodies the basic characteristics of the public speech. It uses some big words and abstract words to make the language more serious and solemn，and more complex sentences are used in the sentence pattern. At the same time，it makes the speech more dynamic by using rhetorical means such as parallelism and metaphor to make the audience resonate and get the purpose of gaining support. It fully reflects the combination of public speaking and written language and has strong appeal and persuasiveness.

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作者简介：李丽丽，1994年9月出生，女，汉族，山西省晋中市昔阳县，硕士研究生，长春理工大学，汉英翻译与文化。

（作者单位：长春理工大学）