NOTE-TAKING

NOTE-TAKING
IN
IN CONSECUTIVE
CONSECUTIVE
LESSON III
 Useful sources
• GILLIES Andrew, Note-taking for Consecutive
Interpreting, Routledge, second edition 2017.
• ROZAN J.-F. La prise de notes en
interprétation consécutive, Geneve 1956.
(Note-taking in Consecutive Interpreting,
translated by Andrew Gillies, 2002)
• NOLAN James, Interpretation. Techniques
and exercises, Multilingual Matters Ltd. USA,
2005, 320 p.
 Objectives of the topic
• importance of memory in interprting
• importance of bringing a pen and
paper to interpreting assignments
• and jotting down figures and names
etc. to help support short term
memory
 Objectives of the topic
• be aware of the existence of note-
taking systems (most often used by
conference interpreters)
• understand the limitations of note
taking as merely a complement to,
rather than a replacement for,
memory.
 Memory & Note Taking
• Note taking can hinder memory
• We must first develop our
memory
»» effective listening skills and
concentration
 Memory
• Hearing
• Listening
• Understanding
• Retaining
• Reproduction / Re-expression /
Recalling
 Listening
• is an active process (concentration),
which involves paying attention to
receiving a message and then
comprehending it.
• Thus, listening means understanding -
listening for understanding.
 Memory techniques
• Visualisation
• Involve senses (sight, smell, taste,
sound etc.)
• Relate things to your experience
 Note-taking
• is central to consecutive
interpreting.
• Practicing interpreters develop
their own techniques for note-
taking.
A personal system of note-taking is
very useful not only in consecutive
but also in simultaneous
(e.g. to jot down figures, names, etc.),
as well as for translators (to write
summary records from notes).
 Consecutive relies on
long-term memory.
Psychological studies have shown that
long-term memory fades very rapidly.
However, although it is very difficult
to remember a large number of
words, it is not so difficult to
remember a series of ideas.
• Developing a personal system of
notes also helps to form the habit of
summarizing and symbolizing words
and phrases
»» INTERPRETING THE MESSAGE
NOT WORDS
Basic guidelines on note-
taking
Your note-taking system must be your
own.

It must be one that you can easily use,

based on your own style of handwriting.
(stenography, speedwriting)
 Language for note-taking
Most interpreters take notes in the TL
rather than the SL
- it saves time and effort for
interpretation
- it helps the interpreter to make a
conscious effort to move away from the
structures and expressions of the SL.
 Note-taking Process in
Consec.
In order to make notes become an
aid to enhance consecutive
interpreting:
• (i) what to note;
• (ii) how to note; and
• (iii) when to note.
 ABBREVIATION OF
WORDS
The rule of thumb

unless a word is short (4-5 letters) the

interpreter should note it in an
abbreviated form.
• Rule: If you have time write a word
as completely as possible, however, if
a word must be abbreviated, then
write some of the first and last
letters rather than trying to write
as many letters as possible from the
start onwards.
 Symbols
Symbols are quicker and easier to
write than words.
What is a symbol:
-a picture;
-a letter;
-a series of letters
-etc.
 Principles of note-taking
by Rozan
1. Noting the idea and not the word
2. The rules of abbreviation
3. Links
4. Negation
5. Adding emphasis
6. Verticality
7. Shift
In order to understand better how to
take notes,
Try to do all the tasks and exercises
and to practice note-taking.

Good luck 