Password recovery instructions will be sent to the specified email.
Ingrese un EmailEl Email ingresado no se encuentra registrado.
Note-taking
NOTE-TAKING
Note-taking is one of the most important skills that test takers must possess.
Note-taking consists of writing down the main ideas of the discourse and any necessary connectors, in a manner that facilitates memory support when reproducing the new discourse.
It is important to remember that the task taker should only take down ideas or concepts, not isolated words, and that the notes should serve as memory triggers, but never a substitution.
Test takers should not dedicate an excessive amount of effort to trying to write down the entire discourse, but instead, only the necessary ideas or keywords that will help them with the reformulation of the speech.
Although it is more common for task takers to develop their own note-taking systems (symbols and abbreviations) based on their own experience and needs, certain common principles as well as certain frequently used symbols exist that generally make it easier to take notes efficiently.
The more notes you make, the more of your attention is focused upon making notes and less on the effort of listening and analysing, both of which essential to a good interpretation. So, it is important that you improve your short term memory in all ways possible.
You are allowed to take notes since the very beginning of the audio. This means since the play of the briefing.
Your notes will not be required for marking or for any other matter. They remain with you.
It is recommended that you take notes in the language you are listening the segment. With practice, you might start mixing your notes in both languages or in the target language. But be aware before you start your delivery of the message that you do not start in the wrong language, this is to say, in the same language you listened to the segment.
Whenever taking notes, the interpreter must concentrate on the major idea and how this can be noted clearly and simply.
Unless a word is short (4-5 letters) the interpreter should note it in an abbreviated form.
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 on wards.
The expression “which have contributed to” is long. The word “help” is short. Wherever possible we must abbreviate by using a word which conveys the same meaning but is shorter.
When taking notes then, we should never miss out the links. Indeed, what we actually see is that if the links are noted well the rest of the idea can be summarised in just a few strokes of the pen.
Noting links becomes very simple if we use the keywords that follow. (Over time this will become automatic.)
(as, why) and that is because, this is the reason why, since, given the fact that, (in someinstances) given that; to convey explanation
(tho) although, despite the fact that; to convey opposition
(but) on the other hand, but, nevertheless, however; to convey limitations
(if) it is possible that, assuming that; to convey supposition
(as to) as far as x is concerned, on the matter of; to convey reference
(tfe) therefore, one can then conclude; to convey conclusion
The three symbols below are also extremely useful.
(=) the same goes for, one might say the same of; to convey the idea of equality or correspondance
(≠) on the other hand, contrary to; to convey the idea of difference or lack of correspondance
(+) in addition, furthermore, if we also take account of; to convey the idea of additional precision.
Negation might be noted by means of a line running through a word or symbol. Example: If we use “OK” to signify “agree”, then “disagree” will be OK. It is also possible to write the word “no” before the word to be negated (thus in our example we would note no OK). This second method is clearer and since “no” is a very short word using it is not a problem.
Verticality means taking notes from top to bottom rather than from left to right. This method makes it possible to:
group ideas logically, allowing a complete and immediate synthesis when we come to read back our notes,
to do away with many links which would otherwise be essential to the clarity of the text.
Symbols are great, but it is worth abiding by a few basic principles to make sure they HELP rather than HINDER. A "symbol" is anything, a mark, sign, letter or short word, used to represent a thing, or group of synonymous concepts.
Why use symbols? They are quicker and easier to write than words. They eliminate source language interference because they represent ideas not words.
How to use symbols? Symbols should be clear and unambiguous. Prepare symbols in advance, don't improvise mid-speech and save much heart-ache.
What to note with symbols? Ideas that recur, i.e. think, discuss, propose, agree, decide. These symbols can be used regardless of the meeting topic.
You can get your symbols from anywhere that suits you as long as you stick to some basic rules. Consider texting and messaging symbols such as “bc” for “because”, “str8” for straight, “ASAP” for “As Soon As Possible”.
Write only on one side of the sheet
Separate segments properly. You could use a line across the column. Separate the different parts of the message (which often correspond to sentences), using horizontal lines.
You might take notes diagonally to increase writing speed, note lists vertically.
Do NOT transcribe everything that is said without paying attention to active listening.
Start with "monolingual" consecutive translation. Listen to a speech in Spanish; write down your notes, then try to do some reformulation exercises in the same language. This will increase your confidence in reading your notes quickly and broaden your vocabulary.
Take a moment to think about your note-taking technique. You can write a lot, or use only a few written elements. The important thing is that what you write is CLEAR to you.
Sight translation is also very useful. Sight translation refers to the process of reading a document or piece of writing in the original language, and translating it out loud in the target language as it’s been read.
Another useful technique to begin with consecutive interpreting is to start listening to one single sentence at a time. Listen to it, take your notes, then STOP the recording and try and translate the sentence. Seems like a "slow" way to begin, but you gain confidence in what you're saying, you feel no pressure to take notes hastily, and you learn how to do it THINKING about what you're writing down.
Scribbling a few words on the paper is useless if you have not understood the concept itself.
Write the thing that comes most quickly to your pen.
Don't look for equivalences while listening, now is not the time (unless the speaker pauses for some reason).
If you are not understanding, STOP taking notes and LISTEN until you do understand.
Make sure that the colour of the pen (or pencil) and paper that you use are such that the former clearly stands out against the latter.
WHAT SHOULD BE NOTED:
Ideas. The essence; a single symbol or word can represent an entire idea.
Causality, consequence, links etc. and the relation of the ideas to one another in time.
Numbers. Note the numbers immediately, interrupting whatever you are noting to note the number as they cannot be remembered from context and noted later as ideas can.
Proper names. If you don't know a name, note it phonetically and see if you can work out how to say it properly in your target language later. If you can't then substitute a generic like "the UK delegate" rather than mangling the name.
Tense of the action, i.e. present, past or future.
Technical terms. Specific to the context of the speech.
Lists. Lists of words which are not integral parts of the sentences in which they are held overload the memory. So note them.
The first sentence of each new idea should be noted with particular care. This does not mean verbatim but with care.
Last sentence of the speech should be noted with particular care.
Striking usage. If the speaker uses a word or expression that stands out he has probably used it deliberately and will want it to appear in the intepretation.
Whether the statement is negative, positive, interrogative or exclamatory.
Connections between ideas and arguments.
Emphasis and stress.
Source (Note taking - The Seven Principles By Jean-François Rozan)
