Business in China--A New Perspective on the Impact of the Interpreter: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT\ud BUSINESS IN CHINA???A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE IMPACT\ud OF THE INTERPRETER: A PILOT STUDY\ud by\ud Shaloma A. McGovern\ud Master of Arts in Social Science\ud California State University, Chico\ud Summer 2011\ud This paper focuses on what key elements a skilled interpreter must possess\ud in order to be of maximum value. The role of the interpreter throughout history has\ud been pivotal in matters of war and diplomacy, trade and business and oftentimes, the\ud interpreter took on the additional role of cultural ambassador. There are unique\ud variables that exist when conducting business is China which increases the importance\ud that the interpreter plays during negotiations. For maximum value, an interpreter should\ud have three key elements???Language Skills, Personal Characteristics and Knowledge of\ud Chinese Business Etiquette. Qualitative research was conducted via interviews with\ud skilled Chinese speaking interpreters to determine if they had these necessary elements.\ud Results showed that of the ten participants, only five had the crucial balance of\ud Language Skills, Personal Characteristics, and Knowledge of Chinese Business\ud Etiquette to successfully interpret for business negotiations in China. Such startling\ud results highlight the reality that to succeed in China choosing the right interpreter\ud matters.CSU, Chic