2. Definition
● Note-taking (sometimes written
as notetaking or note taking) is
the practice of recording
information from different
sources and platforms.
● Note-taking is a very important
skill that interpreters need to
master.
3. What is consecutive interpreting?
Consecutive interpreting is one type of oral translation from a source language
to a target language. Interpreters will start to translate, once the speaker has
finished speaking, typically with the help of their notes.
Interpreters’ notes are quite different from students’ notes as they’re used
for different purposes.
As a student, you take notes to reinforce your memory with the focus of a
class. It works even better if you preview or review your notes before and
after class to achieve an active learning process.
When it comes to consecutive interpreting, however, notes serve to assist
your translation within an ongoing conversation.
What is the different between taking
note in study and in interpreting?
4. Why note-taking is needed in
interpreting
1. Note-taking can reduce stress
● Even the most experienced interpreters would feel stressed at the
beginning of a conference, considering the possible unknown
factors they’re about to cope with: new terms, speakers’ accents,
technical issues, etc.
● The more unknown factors out there, the more stressful they’ll
become.
5. Why note-taking is needed in
interpreting
2. Note-taking can assist short-term memory
● During consecutive interpreting, information is mostly processed
and retained as short-term memory, or working memory.
● However essential it is, short-term memory is far from enough
when required to process a certain amount of information within a
limited time.
6. Why note-taking is needed in
interpreting
3. Note-taking can facilitate logical delivery
● You can’t always expect all speakers to present ideas clearly
and logically. Also, certain languages convey ideas in a more
implicit manner, such as Chinese, Japanese and Saudi.
7. What to write in your notebook:
tips on effective notes
• How to use notes to its utmost is way more important than
simply writing down anything the speaker says.
• A good consecutive interpreter usually takes better notes.
That’s part of their secret to performing a well-organized
translation.
8. What to write in your notebook:
tips on effective notes
1. Find a balance between notes and memory
• It’s quite normal for beginners to rely too much on notes. It’s
like you at last find a straw to clutch upon before drowning,
you won’t let go of it easily.
• Therefore, beginners tend to write down unnecessary
information when they can actually remember by heart.
9. What to write in your notebook:
tips on effective notes
2. Avoid mixing languages
• Interpreters are usually multi-language speakers. Hence, they
can take notes in any language as long as they personally
feel comfortable with it.
• However, notes written in more than one language can cause
certain misunderstandings in interpreting, and increase the
time needed to understand, which can result in a decrease in
efficiency.
10. Question:
An interpreter needs to be aware that they cannot
have full-writing of the speech. Their notes must
something for the re-expression of the speaker‟s
ideas, not the transcript of his/ her speech. These
are just some prompt signs and association of
ideas. A question is raised here. What should be
noted and in what ways should they be noted
effectively?
11. Why take notes?
Instructors share information not available in textbooks and
then make connections.
Notes serve as a “file” of information.
They become a storehouse of information for later use i.e.
preparing for an exam, writing a paper and/or for use in a more
advanced course.
Taking notes helps you become an “active listener” and a
“critical thinker”.
“Passive” listening is what you do when you watch a sitcom on
television or have a casual conversation with someone.
“Active” listening is when you listen carefully to make sure you
understand and learn the information that is being conveyed.
12. Taking notes facilitates learning, by allowing you to
become an effective learner.
When taking notes you will stay more focused on what is being said or what you
are reading; you will be continuously analyzing; you will be forced to think
rapidly about what you see and hear.
Notes help you remember information!
According to Walter Pauk in “How to Study in College”
(1997) students who do NOT take notes in lecture will
lose information as follows:
Taking note in Interpreting have the
same effects
13. How to prepare to take notes:
Using key Words
- Key words are the words that carry essential information.
- To shorten sentences, omit articles exclamations unimportant prepositions
adjectives and adverbs.
- Change word order.
- Use nouns and verbs (content words).
- Same symbols can be used for both English and Vietnamese words and
phrases that have the same meaning.
- You can use your own system of symbols and abbreviations.
14. How to prepare to take notes:
Abbreviating
• Omit endings vowels and double letters.
• Use only the first or first two or three
letters of certain words.
• Use symbols to replace certain words or
letters
• Do not use the same abbreviation for 2
different things.
• Use acronyms (first letter of each word in
a phrase).
• Use the same symbol or abbreviation for
all derivatives of the same word and for all
synonyms of a particular word
15. There are two ways of note-taking that
the interpreter usually use:
Diagram noting:
Supporting idea - 1 Supporting idea - 2
Supporting idea - 3
Main Idea
16. There are two ways of note-taking that
the interpreter usually use:
Diagram noting:
Production costs Demand
Fiscal policy
Inflation
17. There are two ways of note-taking that
the interpreter usually use:
Vertical noting:
_____________ Main idea-1
…………………. Supporting idea-1
…………………. Supporting idea-2
_____________ Main idea-2
…………………. Supporting idea-1
…………………. Supporting idea-2
18. There are two ways of note-taking that
the interpreter usually use:
Vertical noting:
__Factors affecting air quality_ Main idea-1
….…Dust (52.5%) ……………. Supporting idea-1
…….Power Plants( 16.2%)……Supporting idea-2
__Life style risk factors of Cancer_ Main idea-2
………Smoking…………………….. Supporting idea-1
………Obesity……………………… Supporting idea-2
19. The layout of Notes based on S-V-O unit
Subject
Verb
Object
Subject
Verb
Object
20. Example:
The researchers concluded that people are more likely to
take action when minimal parameters are set.
People may ask themselves if they have enough to donate
and whether it will make a difference. By clarifying that
“even a penny” could make a difference, the second line
makes the request more achievable for those considering a
donation.
21. The layout of Notes based on S-V-O unit
LINKS SPEECH
The researchers
concluded
people are more likely to
take action when minimal
parameters are set.
People
clarifying
“even a penny” could
make a difference
22. Abbreviation Full Name
=ity Equality
1980s Nineteen eighties
a.m. Morning
num Number
signifi Significant
approx. Approximately
buildg Building
b/4 Before
b/c Because
hs His
ABBREVIATIONS USED IN NOTE-
TAKING
23. Example:
1. Since then there have been a number of significant events that may
affect our path to the WTO, for example the Submit in Indonesia.
2. The building which his uncle bought is situated on the Red River.
24. The layout of Notes based on S-V-O unit
LINKS SPEECH
Num of signifi events
affect
Our path to the WTO
(eg: submit in Indo)
The buildg
(hs uncle bought)
situated
the Red River
25. Advantage of Taking note
in interpreting
1. Notes extend your memory because you’re able
to capture more information than your working
memory can hold.
2. Notes enhance your focus because you’re too
busy listening, analysing, and writing to think
about checking Facebook.
Note taking is needed for the interpreters
