Note-taking Mistakes In English To Chinese Consecutive Interpreting And Alternative Solutions

In consecutive interpreting,note-taking is a pivotal tool that serves as a reminder for the interpreter to retain information from the source language.Between the time that the speaker finishes speaking and the time that the interpreter takes notes and interprets from the notes,the interpreter translates the source language into the target language.In this process,note-taking is used in order to digest the speech from the source language.This is not an easy task and it is mentally consuming,as both listening and note-taking must be conducted at the same time.The reason why it is difficult to perfect note-taking is because there are multiple factors at play beyond listening and note-taking.Successfully written notes can enhance the interpretation by aiding the interpreter to remember details that would otherwise be forgotten.On the other hand,mistakes in the note-taking process can be detrimental to the interpretation as it can change the logic or the intention behind the speech.Literature supports the notion that there are common denominators that constitute efficient and successful note-taking,and these factors are discussed in this study.This thesis aims to identify note-taking mistakes in English to Chinese consecutive interpreting by dissecting the mock conference from the interview of Peter Thiel at the New York Economic Club on March 15,2018.Through close scrutiny,mistakes are initially identified and analyzed in the notes written for this thesis.Mistakes in note-taking that take place pertain to omission,numbers,and writing out entire words.Mistakes can occur during listening comprehension,note-taking,and interpretation.The analysis entails some plausible reasons that could have led to the mistakes.Following this analysis,the author provides alternative solutions by appropriately utilizing abbreviations,simplifications,symbols,images,and numbers,as well as expanding the interpreter's scope of reading,in an attempt to enhance the personal note-taking system.