A Corpus-based Study of Syntactic Complexity in CATTI (China Accreditation Test for Translators and Interpreters) Prescribed Textbooks

Objective: Through comparing the differences in syntactic complexity between CATTI English interpretation practice (Level 3) and general English, this study enables textbook developers, publishers and researchers to judge the value of CATTI English interpretation practice (Level 3) more accurately, improve syntactic measures and provide inspiration for the evaluation of the syntactic complexity of texts in CATTI English interpretation practice (Level 3). Methods: The research method of corpus has provided a brand-new research perspective and means for translation studies, making the research more objective and rational. The L2 Syntactic Complexity Analyzer (L2SCA) allows researchers to analyze the syntactic complexity of English language texts. By using 14 different measurement methods, it helps to improve the quality of both quantitative and qualitative research. Conclusions: This paper has investigated the syntactic complexity of CATTI interpretation textbooks and found that there are significant differences in ten indicators between it and general English as well as academic English. The results of this study are instructive for textbook compilers: textbook compilers must use the corpus as a tool to conduct stricter quality control over the materials they compile. For textbook users, they should break away from their dependence on textbooks and supplement learning materials outside textbooks for language input so as to improve their English level. Colleges and universities can independently determine the starting stage and teaching objectives according to their actual needs.