Note-Taking Proficiency in Interpreting Teaching: Putting the Note-Taking Fluency Scale to the Test

Authors

  • Lili Han Macao Polytechnic University
  • Jing Lu Macao Polytechnic University
  • Zhisheng (Edward) Wen Macao Polytechnic University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1210.09

Keywords:

note-taking skills, note-taking fluency scale, interpreting proficiency, interpreting training

Abstract

Note-taking skills are critical to consecutive interpreting. As an important construct of translation competence and an essential skill of interpreting performance, note-taking merits rigorous and systematic investigations as well as reliable and valid assessment instruments and procedures. In the present study, we aim to further validate the note-taking fluency scale developed by Zhou and Dong (2019), focusing on four dimensions, the coordination between listening and note-taking, the timing of taking notes, the systematic nature of notes, and the use of notes. We evaluated the note-taking skills of a group of Master in Translation and Interpreting (MTI) students majoring in Chinese-Portuguese interpretation in Macao. The fluency scale was administered twice, at the beginning and the end of the training program respectively. The results corroborated the development of note-taking proficiency along with note-taking training in three cognitively less demanding dimensions, i.e., the timing of taking notes, the systematic nature of notes and the use of notes, while the more “stagnant/attractor” aspect of the coordination between listening and note-taking remained unchanged after several months' training. We conclude the paper by outlining specific pedagogical implications tailor made for the four dimensions of note-taking skills for future Chinese-Portuguese interpreting training.

Author Biographies

Lili Han, Macao Polytechnic University

Faculty of Languages and Translation

Jing Lu, Macao Polytechnic University

Faculty of Languages and Translation

Zhisheng (Edward) Wen, Macao Polytechnic University

Faculty of Languages and Translation

References

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Published

2022-09-30

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Articles