Introduction
Consecutive interpreting is a mode of interpreting where the interpreter speaks after the speaker has finished speaking. This method is often used in legal proceedings, business meetings, or medical consultations where the speaker and the interpreter are close to each other. On the other hand, simultaneous interpreting is a process where the latter speaks simultaneously with the former. This method is commonly used in conferences where multiple languages are spoken, such as international business meetings or United Nations conferences. Nevertheless, one needs to understand the pros and cons of note-taking during these interpreting sessions, taking into account the source and target languages.
Advantages
Source Language
The primary advantage of taking notes in the source language in the process of consecutive and simultaneous interpreting is that it enables the interpreter to accurately capture the speaker’s words and phrases. This accuracy can be instrumental when interpreting idiomatic expressions or technical terms that may be difficult to understand or remember (Grutman, 2019, p. 346). Additionally, if the interpreter is not fluent in the source language, it can help them understand the speaker’s message more clearly.
Moreover, writing in the source language can help the interpreter understand the context, cultural references, tone, and style of the speaker. This understanding is crucial for conveying the meaning of the speech in the target language and ensuring that the interpretation is suitable for the audience (Grutman, 2019, p. 342). Additionally, taking notes in the source language makes it easier for the interpreter to identify and mark any errors or inconsistencies in the speaker’s speech, which can be essential for ensuring the accuracy of the interpretation.
Note-taking in the source language helps the interpreter maintain a clear understanding of the overall structure and flow of the speech, which is essential for a coherent and accurate interpretation. Furthermore, if they are interpreting consecutively, it can help the interpreter keep track of time and avoid interrupting the speaker. Consequently, it enables them to deliver a more efficient interpretation and ensures that the speaker has sufficient time to complete their speech (Grutman, 2019, p. 342). Lastly, it can also help the professional identify and mark any critical points the speaker wants to emphasize. This way, they can ensure they are conveyed to the audience.
Target Language
When an interpreter uses the target language for consecutive notes, they gain the advantage of formulating the interpretation concurrently with the speech. For complex material, this early start allows them to begin translating and structuring the information immediately. Having already processed and translated the content, they can then provide a significantly more fluent and uninterrupted interpretation once the original speaker finishes.
Moreover, it can also help the interpreter to ensure that the interpretation is grammatically correct and that the sentence structure and vocabulary are appropriate for the target language (Grutman, 2019, p. 345). By writing the understanding in the target language, they can check for errors and make necessary adjustments before delivering the knowledge. This quality control step ensures that the performance is accurate and easily understandable for the target audience.
Taking notes can also aid memory, allowing the interpreter to refer back to their notes if they forget something the speaker said. Memorability is particularly useful when the speech is long or complex, or when the speaker is working in consecutive mode and speaking for an extended period. Lastly, if the interpreter is analyzing in a straight manner, taking notes in the target language can help them ensure they are providing interpretation in a way that is easy to understand.
This easy-to-understand approach can be achieved by using more straightforward or common words and phrases, and by structuring the variation in a way that is easy to follow (Grutman, 2019, p. 346). The straightforwardness can help the interpreter to be more efficient and effective in their interpreting, as it ensures that the interpretation is clear and understandable for the target audience.
Another advantage of taking notes in the target language during consecutive interpreting is that it allows the interpreter to focus on the meaning of the speech rather than the words themselves. This concentration can be beneficial when the speaker uses technical or specialized language, as it enables the professional to grasp the overall message more effectively. The target language can convey it in a way that is easy to understand for the target audience (Grutman, 2019, p. 345). Furthermore, they can identify cultural or linguistic nuances in the speech when using the target language. Identification is crucial for ensuring that the interpretation is accurate and sensitive to the target audience’s culture.
Disadvantages
Source Language
During consecutive interpreting, making notes in the source language can delay the interpretation, as the interpreter may need to spend extra time translating the messages into the target language. Delays can be problematic if the speech is lengthy or complex, or if the interpreter lacks fluency in the source language. Consequently, they may lead to a slower interpretation process, making it more difficult for the interpreter to ensure that the interpretation is accurate and suitable for the target audience.
In simultaneous interpreting, note-taking can be challenging, as the interpreter must keep pace with the speaker in real-time and provide the interpretation in the target language simultaneously. Taking notes in the source language may cause them to miss important information or be unable to keep up with the speaker, leading to inaccuracies in the interpretation (Grutman, 2019, p. 346). The interpreter may also struggle to keep up with the speaker’s speed, which can impact the fluency of the understanding.
If they are not fluent in the source language, taking notes in that language for both interpreting methods can make it more challenging to understand the speaker’s message. A lack of fluency can cause inaccuracies in the interpretation, as the interpreter may misunderstand or misinterpret specific phrases or idioms. It can also make it more difficult for them to ensure that the understanding is appropriate for the culture and audience of the target language. Additionally, if they are interpreting in consecutive mode, taking notes in the source language may translate the messages into more exact or familiar words and phrases that are difficult to perceive (Grutman, 2019, p. 342). Lack of audience familiarity with the words can make the interpretation less fluent and more challenging to follow.
Another disadvantage is that it can lead to confusion if the interpreter does not use standardized notation or abbreviations. A lack of graded language can make it more difficult for them to understand their notes, leading to inaccuracies in their understanding. Taking notes in the source language can make it more difficult for the interpreter to maintain a neutral stance, as they may inadvertently adopt the speaker’s point of view or biases (Grutman, 2019, p. 345). Consequently, it can be particularly problematic in legal proceedings or political debates, where the professional must remain impartial and unbiased.
Using the source language for note-taking can hinder the interpreter’s ability to leverage their prior knowledge and skills, resulting in an inaccurate interpretation of the message. They might be too focused on the source language and unable to use their knowledge to convey the message in the most efficient way (Agic & Vulic, 2019, p. 44). Additionally, it can become a hindrance for the interpreter in developing their target language skills, as they may be more focused on the source language and unable to practice and improve these skills.
Target Language
Taking notes using the target language can result in a superficial rendition with serious mistakes. When interpreters take notes in the target language, they are likely to focus less on the speaker’s words. Poor performance can lead to inaccuracies in the interpretation, which can result in miscommunication between the speakers and the audience. Additionally, it can lead to a loss of trust between the speakers, the interpreter, and the audience (Agic & Vulic, 2019, p. 45).
If the interpretation is inaccurate or perceived as biased, it can lead to a loss of trust in their ability to convey the message accurately and effectively. Poor rendition can have profound legal implications in both legal and medical settings. Their inability to accurately describe important information can lead to legal disputes or medical errors.
Writing the speaker’s notes in a target language can reduce fluency in interpretation, which may result in confusion rather than understanding. An interpreter using the target language can integrate complex and technical terms, which might complicate the information being disseminated by the speaker (Agic & Vulic, 2019, p. 43). Additionally, complex and technical terms may have different meanings across various fields, and the interpreter may misinterpret the specialized context in which the word is being used, resulting in inaccuracies in the interpretation.
Taking notes in the target language can be a mental burden, as one has to receive a message, interpret it, and then translate it. When one has cognitive overload, they are likely to use terms that might be taboo among the audience. This usage may be due to a lack of proper understanding of the audience’s cultures, customs, and traditions, resulting from brain fatigue (Agic & Vulic, 2019, p. 42). Generally, it can overload the brain, failing to identify important aspects of the audience’s traditions.
Conclusion
Interpreters should primarily employ the target language for both consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, though language proficiency is a factor. In consecutive interpreting, using the source language for notes may improve accuracy by capturing exact words, but it can cause delays if the interpreter struggles to quickly translate those notes (Agic & Vulic, 2019, p. 47). By contrast, using the target language allows them to focus on the speech’s meaning and overarching message. This approach facilitates comprehension of technical language, ensuring the message is clear to the target audience and helping the interpreter identify cultural or linguistic nuances.
References
Grutman, Rainier. 2019. Multilingualism. In Routledge Encyclopedia of translation studies (pp. 341-346). Routledge.
Agic, Željko, and Ivan Vulic. 2019. JW300: A wide-coverage parallel corpus for low-resource languages. London.: Association for Computational Linguistics.