Coping Tactics For Note-taking In Interpreting Relatively Fast Speeches

In consecutive interpretation, interpreters will encounter certain difficulties andchallenges when the pace of speech is fast. Without effective coping tactics toovercome these difficulties, the performance of the interpreters will be negativelyinfluenced. This paper attempts to provide useful suggestions on how to cope withfast speeches by analyzing the interpretation of two English speeches given in2013Shanghai Forum. First, this paper looks at the errors and problems that occurredduring the interpretation of fast speeches. Then, some coping tactics are provided.It is universally acknowledged that note-taking in consecutive interpretation consistsof two phases (which may take place at the same time or in turn), one is the analysisand comprehension of the speech, and the other is taking down notes. After case study,the paper discovered that when the pace of speech is fast, problems will occur in bothof the two phases. The faster the pace is, the more difficult note-taking becomes. Thecase study shows that most of the errors caused by note-taking are the result of pooranalysis and comprehension. And in most cases, these errors are more serious than therest. That means, in coping with fast speeches, interpreters should work harder in thefirst phase, so that the speech can be better analyzed and comprehended. As for thesecond phase, the interpreter should make some adjustments to improve accuracy,avoid misunderstanding and better convey the message of the speaker. Besides, theauthor also provides three useful note-taking techniques which can effectivelyincrease the speed of writing notes.