Enhancing strategic memorization: exploring the synergy of emotions and mnemonics in Translation Studies

Abstract

This article explores strategic competence in interpreting, with a focus on mnemonic techniques. Following an overview of interpreting challenges based on Daniel Gile’s Effort Models, it presents a pilot study investigating how mnemonic strategies can enhance memory and cognitive processes in Translation Studies. Previous research on translating medical abbreviations suggests that mnemonics – such as acronyms, expressions, models, rhymes, note organization, imagery, and associations – play a key role in supporting interpreters’ cognitive abilities.
The study introduces an innovative algorithmic approach that highlights the crucial role of emotions in memory retention, offering a new perspective on how emotions and mnemonics synergize in interpretation. It underscores the interdisciplinary link between Translation Studies and psychology, especially in terms of memory, attention, perception, decision-making, and affective processes.
The article aims to examine how emotions and mnemonic techniques impact strategic memorization in interpreting, emphasizing their combined effects on memory retention and interpreting proficiency. Through the lens of Robert Plutchik’s theory of basic emotions, the study classifies key mnemonic techniques as essential tools in addressing the cognitive challenges of interpretation.