Aimed at students of conference interpreting, whether on university and professional training courses or self-learners, Note-Taking for Consecutive Interpreting - A short Course offers future interpreters a step-by-step guide to the skill of note-taking, which forms an essential part of consecutive interpreting. The system proposed, made up of a range of tried and tested techniques, is simple to learn, consistent and efficient.
This is a book which can be read at one sitting, but is designed to be worked through over a number of months. Each chapter presents a technique, together with examples, tasks and exercises for the reader to complete - true to the motto "learning by doing". The book uses English throughout, explaining how and where to locate material for other languages. It thus constitutes a course which offers student interpreters in any language combination a sound and adaptable base on which to build as they develop their skills. It will also be a valuable resource for interpreter trainers looking for innovative ways of approaching this core element of interpreter competence.
"The first main part of the book then deals with acquiring the basic skills of note-taking. I particularly like the way in which the progressivity aimed at by the author is achieved....
The book is well written; above all it is highly readable. The examples are well presented, with a uniform lay-out using clear frames - necessary to reflect the reality of the interpreter's note-pad - thus making the examples user-friendly. In conclusion, it is a book to be highly recommended, and in my view indispensable reading for those of us involved in, or even just interested in, interpreter training."
SCICNews (European Commission's interpreting bulletin)