Note-taking in Interpreting.ppt

Note-taking in Interpreting By Loretta Lau Contents I. Why note-taking? The importance of taking notes in interpreting Our short-term memory alone can not retain the amount of information the speaker gives in the act of interpreting. We need to employ other means to help with our retaining and retrieval of information. Notes are an aid to enhance the work of understanding, analysis and re-expression, the three activities of consecutive interpreting. The main use of notes is to relieve memory. Although an interpreter may have understood the main ideas of a speech, it is almost impossible for him/her to recall all the elements of a five-minute speech, particularly if it contains numbers, names, lists, since such elements cannot be recalled on the basis of analysis and logic. As time goes on, our mermorizing efficiency will go downhill and the quality of our interpretation will become worse and worse. Therefore, note-taking becomes necessary for interpreter to supplement his/her short-term memory and reduce the memorizing stress. II. How to take notes?Comparison Notes for interpretation Time-limited For yourself, immediate Signs, symbols, lines (developed by yourself, as long as youcan recognize) Main ideas Notes for common use No time-limit For yourself/others, in the future Words or expressions or system of symbols (learnt from another course) Main ideas/ every exact words Remenber: Do not take down a group of words, as it is time-wasting. What you take should be half-done information analyzed by yourself. e.g.: “发展”，“增加”， develop, increase “进步”，“进一步” make progress “减少”，“下降”， decrease, reduce “恶化” become worse Highly recommended: develop your own symbols based on what you are familiar with. e.g.: mathematical signs: =, , … Language used in your notes: SL and TL Use whatever language that comes to your mind Use as many symbols as you feel comfortable with