The technique of note-taking: tips and tricks

Formats: Webinar presentations
Topics: Expand your business and advance in your career
Interpreting
Getting established in the translation industry
Business of Translation and Interpreting

Course summary
Start time:May 16, 2013 13:00 GMT     Add to calendar

Duration: 120 minutes.

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Language:English
Summary:This course focuses on the note-taking technique for unilateral and bilateral consecutive interpreting occasions. The first goal of this course is to help candidates understand the basic concept of note-taking and to develop the skill and the speed to take notes during a speech. The second, more important goal is to help candidates establish a set of particularly developed signs, symbols and references identified as notes in consecutive interpreting.
Description
In the context of consecutive interpreting, either or both unilateral and bilateral, the technique of note-taking may be of crucial importance. It should not be assumed that the way notes are taken is not important at all. Quite contrary, the comprehensiveness of the notes will most certainly determine how successful the delivery of the interpreted discourse shall be.

This course is aimed at introducing candidates to the technique of note-taking from a purely pragmatic aspect. The first goal is to help candidates develop the skill and the speed to take notes during a speech to be interpreted consecutively. However, more importantly, the second goal of the course is to help candidates establish a set of signs, symbols, abbreviations, short references and similar representations of words, phrases, sentences and context for the purpose of interpreting a longer or shorter spoken discourse.
Target audience
1. Interpreters who want to learn more about note-taking techniques;
2. Freelancers starting in the interpreting industry;
3. Experienced freelancers who want to expand their clients database.
Learning objectives
1. To facilitate the process of consecutive interpreting;
2. To learn how to develop and use a special system of note-taking;
3. To establish a routine in the process of linking a word, phrase, sentence or context to a particular meaning and representation;
4. To practise the reconstruction of target language and discourse based on notes.
Prerequisites
Candidates are kindly advised to have a pen and a notepad ready for the practical workshop part of the course.
Program
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The agenda of the course will be as follows:

1. Theoretical intro (10 min)
2. First workshop session: Examples & practice (25 min + 10 min Q&A)
3. 10 min break
4. Theoretical explanation (10 min)
5. Second workshop session: Detailed practice (40 min)
6. Q&A 15 min

All the material needed for the course will be included in the presentation whereas extra material will be available for download on the main training page.

Candidates are kindly advised to have a pen and a notepad ready for the practical workshop part of the course.
Registration and payment information (click to expand)
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To purchase your seat at this session please click on the "buy" button. Available slots are limited and will be assigned to registered and paid participants as soon as payment is reported. Early payment is advised in order to secure participation. Allow some time for payment processing if you are paying by wire transfer.
Software and system requirements (click to expand)
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Virtual platform system requirements

For PC-based Users:

• Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
• Required: Internet Explorer® 7.0 or newer, Mozilla® Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google™ Chrome™ 5.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection
• Recommended: Dual-core 2.4GHz CPU or faster with 2GB of RAM (recommended)

For Mac®-based Users:

• Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 – Leopard® or newer
• Required: Safari™ 3.0 or newer, Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google™ Chrome™ 5.0 or newer (JavaScript™ and Java™ enabled)
• Internet Connection Required: Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection
• Required: Intel processor (1GB of RAM or better recommended)

To Use VoIP (microphone and speakers or headset):

• Required: Fast Internet connection (384 kbps or more recommended)
• Required: speakers or headset (USB headset recommended)
• NOT required: Microphone - attendees can communicate with the trainer through incorporated chat.

Recommendations

• For the visual section of the training course, we recommend that you have a 64kbps link. This means using an ISDN line or Broadband. Wireless connection is NOT recommended.
• For the audio section of the training course, we recommend that you have a headset or speakers.
• We recommend that you log in 30 minutes in advance of the start time to prepare for the training course.

Courses will be open half an hour before the start time. Please login before the start time to ensure that everything on your system is working correctly.
Created by
 Jasmina Djordjevic    View feedback | View all courses
Bio: Jasmina is an Assistant Professor with a PhD in Applied Linguistics (English Language) and an appointed and sworn translator, native in German and Serbian as well as close-to-native in English. She has taught Legal English, Translation Techniques, Consecutive Translation, Culture in Business Communication at the BA level and Intercultural Communication and Translation as well as Consecutive and Conference Interpreting at the MA level. Parallel to her academic career, she has been developing her translator and interpreter career for the last 23 years. Now she is trying to contribute to the profession by coaching students to become good translators, interpreters or teachers. She has written many articles and a few books, two of the most important ones being “Translation in Practice – Written and Consecutive” and "Scientific, Professional and Official Translation", which consists of two volumes, one is a theoretical overview and the other is a workbook. Her primary objective is to offer valid and tested teaching/ learning techniques for students training to be translators and interpreters. Jasmina's extensive and elaborate academic and professional record shows highly developed standards needed in the translation and interpreting business.
General discussions on this training

The technique of note-taking: tips and tricks
Claudia Brauer
Claudia Brauer Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 23:05
Member (2011)
English to Spanish
+ ...
The importance of taking notesApr 4, 2013

Jasmina, how wonderful that you are giving this course, because it is one of the important issues for any consecutive interpreter to learn. I will recommend it to those taking my courses on introduction to interpreting!

Rohaizan Samad
 
Rebeca Sotura Nickerson
Rebeca Sotura Nickerson
United States
Local time: 20:05
Member (2011)
Spanish to English
+ ...
What type of note taking?Apr 4, 2013

Jasmina, is this a note taking course for conference interpreting? Or court interpreting?

 
LilianNekipelov
LilianNekipelov Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 23:05
Russian to English
+ ...
Conference and court interpreting Apr 4, 2013

is done mostly in the simultaneous mode where there is not time for note taking. This might be helpful in consecutive interpreting only, such as during various depositions, hearings, etc.

 
Jasmina Djordjevic
Jasmina Djordjevic Identity Verified
Serbia
Local time: 04:05
Member (2009)
German to Serbian
+ ...
Note-taking in generalApr 5, 2013

Claudia, thank you in advance for all recommendations. I am sure people will benefit from it.

RSotura, this course is meant to be a general course in note-taking. I shall try to explain briefly why general in order to avoid confusion and answer LilianBoland as well.

Obviously, notes are taken in consecutive interpreting as in simultaneous time is of the essence and it is rather unlikely that the interpreter might opt for notes. Maybe only to jot down a number or some other
... See more
Claudia, thank you in advance for all recommendations. I am sure people will benefit from it.

RSotura, this course is meant to be a general course in note-taking. I shall try to explain briefly why general in order to avoid confusion and answer LilianBoland as well.

Obviously, notes are taken in consecutive interpreting as in simultaneous time is of the essence and it is rather unlikely that the interpreter might opt for notes. Maybe only to jot down a number or some other concept they might forget easily. Otherwise, notes might be more of a distraction.

As for the difference between consecutive and conference, it directs us back to the basic difference between consecutive and simultaneous. Conference interpreting is realized mainly as simultaneous but could, in certain circumstances, also be realized as consecutive. Traditional training, during most of the second half of the previous century, relied heavily on consecutive. With the advance of technology, simultaneous has become the more practical form.

However, nowadays there are yet many other forms within the two. Thus there is simultaneous for hearing impaired based on sign language, for instance. Notes are not a usual thing there. Or, there is whispering (known as "chuchotage"). Again, notes are unlikely to be taken. Or, there is community interpreting (related to social services, advisory meetings, police hearings, marriage ceremonies, etc.) which is basically consecutive and notes might be useful in some cases. Furthermore, there is court interpreting, which might be either simultaneous or consecutive as it will depend on the location, the scope and the magnitude of the case itself. In a smaller setting, courtrooms will not have the necessary equipment, so consecutive will be more appropriate. Furthermore, there is bilateral interpreting, which is more like mediation in cases of negotiations, company meetings and other smaller settings where notes might be useful. Finally, consecutive may be based on longer or shorter pieces of discourse (referred to as "chunks") meaning that the source language speaker might be delivering an entire speech and then the interpreter delivers the translation. Obviously, notes are crucial. Alternatively, the source language speaker might be uttering smaller pieces of discourse and the interpreter will render the translation in smaller chunks as well. Notes might not be needed.

In brief, notes can be taken whenever the interpreter feels the need for them. There is no law or rule against it. Whether or not the interpreter will benefit from the notes is clearly a matter of how well they have developed the technique.

Therefore, rather than imposing theoretical elaborations, I usually tell my students to develop the technique and make use of it whenever they feel the need for it. That is the reason why I would like to invite professionals, those in training or those aspiring to widen their expertise to participate in the course. I am sure they will benefit from it.

Jasmina
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