ITI Conference 2011

Note-taking: an evaluation of skills transfer between conference interpreting and public service interpreting

There is a wealth of research and several well-known publications on note-taking for conference interpreting.  Research in this field is almost as old as the discipline itself and the area of consecutive interpreting in the conference arena is extensively covered. As far as research or publications on note-taking for public service interpreters is concerned, however, there is very little available. Existing conference interpreter documentation does not, in its current form, deal with the topic areas relevant to public service interpreting or the techniques which may be applicable to public service interpreter note-taking.

Kirsty Heimerl-Moggan’s research analyses the underlying ideas and systems used in note-taking for conference interpreting and their applicability, once adapted, to public service interpreter needs. She will be reporting on her studies into adapted public service interpreter note-taking and considering student performance pre- and post the adapted-note-taking study. Her research focuses on public service interpreting students, conference interpreting students and those combining both careers paths.

Kirsty will be drawing on her observations and analysis of her conference and public service interpreting students over the last 12 years.