Consecutive interpreting requires note-taking to capture key points since interpreters cannot remember long speech segments. Effective note-taking uses individually developed symbols and abbreviations to distill the meaning rather than verbatim text. Each interpreter's notes are unique as symbols are chosen based on easy association to specific meanings. While symbols are important, note-taking alone is insufficient without a strong comprehension of language, subject matter, and world knowledge.
2. in consecutive mode, speaker
and interpreter alternate
but the length of speech
segments vary, even when
agreed beforehand
12/22/14 by marina stubinski 2014
3. the interpreter cannot
know how long the speech
segment will be
taking notes is essential, since
memory alone will be insufficient
question any interpreter who has
no means of writing !
12/22/14 by marina stubinski 2014
4. specialist note-taking
skills are taught during
postgraduate training
they involve independently
developed symbols and
abbreviations
12/22/14 by marina stubinski 2014
5. note-taking is not shorthand!
shorthand produces word-for-word text
reading this back would sound unnatural
instead, interpreters distill the speaker’s
meaning with symbols and then rephrase
succinctly for the audience
12/22/14 by marina stubinski 2014
6. every interpreter’s notes
are individual and unique
interpreters choose symbols they
easily associate to a specific
meaning; this varies across
individuals
but there are no magic symbols for
names and numbers!
12/22/14 by marina stubinski 2014
7. other requirements
establishing and rehearsing symbols is
key, but
a glossary of cool symbols is useless if the
following are not of the required level:
comprehension of source language
comprehension of subject matter
general ‘world’ knowledge
articulate target language
12/22/14 by marina stubinski 2014
8. look out for more from this series!
12/22/14 by marina stubinski 2014
comments to marina stubinski : www.germanitalian.co.uk
