Training Resources

Interpreter Training Resources

t h e o n l y d e d i c a t e d s i t e f o r c o n f e r e n c e i n t e r p r e ters.

Reading about interpreting

On this page you will find a brief introduction to some of the more useful texts published for conference interpreters.

Note Taking Interpreting

Guidelines for using symbols

Why… use symbols?	- they are quicker and easier to write than words- they eliminate source language interference (calque)….because they represent ideas not words
How… to use symbols?	- symbols should be clear and unambiguous- prepare symbols in advance, don’t improvise mid-speech and save much heart-ache. - consistent. If “E” is “energy” today, then let it stay that way. Find another symbol for “environment” - make them organic….from one symbol can grow many other related symbols (see below)
What… to note with symbols?	- ideas that recur….ie. think, discuss, propose, agree, decide. These symbols can be used regardless of the meeting topic.- and/or specific technical terminology encountered during meeting preparation. These symbols will be used once and discarded.

Symbols

consequences			development
relations			agriculture
agreement			environment
role			energy
success			trade
problem			politics
repression			democracy
impact			work
country			money
meeting			inflation
industry
deficit			surplus

look forward to			change
want to			need
know			continue
decide			join
propose			listen/hear
lead to, cause			say
promise		attack
agree		thanks

on the one hand			always(toujours in French)
…on the other hand			until
on behalf of			from that time on
as opposed to			before
recently			more than/less than
all			any
now
similar			end
start