Tips on Verticality, Step-patterns and Note-taking in General

Precision Information in Note-Taking

Precision information is the base information in a speaker’s messages. Numbers, proper names, lists of things and terminology are some in the group of the elements that cannot be recalled on the basis of analytical and logical thinking in a given context.Note-taking is an important tool in order to overcome the difficulties connected with memorizing and notation of precision information.

In notation of verbal precision information it is recommended that an interpreter use so-called “Arabicapproach”, that is abbreviations of polysyllabic (more than one syllable) words, in which all and not all the consonant letters are used, meanwhile, all the vowels are not used except if they are not the first letter and the last letter of the word. The main condition of making abbreviations here is to leave abbreviated words easily recognizable, as in Мскв meaning Москва or Птрб meaning Санкт-Петербург.

Numerical precision information

Example:

t (тыс.); m (млн.); b (млрд.); tr (трилл.) after numerals; (e.g. 17bU = 17миллиардовдолларовСША, U = USD).

Lecture 15

A good note should give the main ideas of the speech, the links between those ideas, tenses of verbs, figures and numbers, lists of things, proper names, if mentioned, so as to relieve interpreter’s memory. A good note should be as economical as possible with abbreviations and graphic symbols.

The following is taken from tips given by Christopher Thiéry:

1. Write the thing that comes most quickly to your pen

2. Don't look for equivalences while listening, now is not the time (unless the speaker pauses for some reason)

3. If you are not understanding, STOP taking notes and LISTEN!

4. Note legibly

5. Abbreviate long words

6. Use the space available to portray the hierarchy of ideas and...

7....to place those ideas relative to one another

8. Separate the different parts of the message (which often correspond to sentences), using horizontal lines

9. The structure of the page should be visible from 3 feet away

10. Use signs and symbols which already exist

11. Use individual letters as symbols if they are clear in a given meeting or context

12. Make sure that the colour of the pen (or pencil) and paper that you use is such that the former clearly stands out against the latter

13. Number the pages if they are not bound

14. Cross out each passage in your notes as you complete reading it back

15. Glance at each section of your notes BEFORE speaking

16. Look up at your audience

Comparing and analyzing these tips given by the prominent scholars and practitioners in interpreting, one may take them into consideration while learning and practicing note-taking techniques.