(1)Introduction:The Purposes of Note-taking
(a)To relieve memory;
However well the interpreter may analyze a speech and orders its ideas with a view to interpreter’s memory, there will still be too many elements in a five-minutes speech for interpreter to recall everything.This is particularly true if a speech contains numbers, names, lists
and so on.
Further, if the interpreter devotes their intellectual energies to remembering (e.g. a list of chemicals), this may distract them from the key task of listening attentively to what comes next.
(b) To “jog” the interpreter’s memory;
The term “relieving” is used to cover noting down specific elements so the interpreter can reproduce the content of a speech.
The term “jogging” means the notes can also used to enhance the interpreter’s ability to reproduce the structure.
So notes should therefore reflect the form of a speech, making it clear to the interpreter what is important and what is ancillary, how ideas are related or separated from one another.
(2)Practical Points for Note-taking
(a) An interpreter must be able to take their notes quickly and write upon something convenient to hold and easy to handle. So necessary toolsare advised as follows:
A stenographer’s note-pad, roughly 15cm by 20cm ; (Note:write on only the recto side, not recto-verso)
A good old-fashioned lead pencil.
(b)Requirements for the style of note-taking
Should be easily legible－writing in large character;
Should be well spread out over the page so that various elements can be clearly differentiated.
Must be totally unequivocal.(Note: don’t create abbreviation word ,which will cause mistakes. For example,ind =?independence)
(3)What to Note
(a) The main ideas( subject-verb-object);
(b) Links and separations between ideas should appear in the notes;(which make the interpretation more logical and more easily be followed)
(c) The point of view being expressed;
(d) The audiences need to know ‘what happened and when’, and the tenses of verbs are therefore important. Similarly, modal verbs have a decisive influence on the function of other verbs and determine the meaning of a sentence;
To Sum Up
To sum up, the interpreter’s notes should give at least the main ideas of a speech with the links between those ideas; points of view, tenses of verbs, and modal verbs, should also be noted;
However, be aware: there are also elements that an interpreter cannot remember and where notes are used to relieve their memory. These elements include numbers, dates, proper names and lists of chemicals,fish or whatever. Once the interpreter senses there are these elements coming from the speaker,the interpreter should drop everything else and note it immediately, as otherwise the interpreters have little chance of remembering them.
The one thing to be avoided is trying note everything down as an end in itself ,to the detriment of the interpreter’s active listening to the original.
