Consecutive Interpretation & Note-Taking Techniques Flashcards

What is 'chunking' as it applies to consecutive interpretation memory strategies?

Answer: Grouping related pieces of information together to reduce cognitive load

Chunking involves grouping related information units together, reducing the number of discrete items to remember and lightening cognitive load.

In interpreter notation, a horizontal line drawn across the notepad typically indicates:

Answer: A topic change or the beginning of a new idea segment

A horizontal line across notes signals a topic shift or the beginning of a new segment, helping the interpreter organize ideas visually.

Which cognitive phenomenon must court interpreters actively counteract to prevent distorting testimony during consecutive interpretation?

Answer: Anticipation bias or predictive inference filling in expected content

Anticipation bias can cause interpreters to complete or alter a speaker's message based on expectations, distorting the actual testimony.

The 'note-taking' phase in consecutive interpretation primarily serves to:

Answer: Support and supplement short-term memory for later reproduction

Notes supplement — not replace — working memory, serving as retrieval cues that trigger fuller recall during the production phase.

When a speaker uses numbers, dates, or proper names in court testimony, what is the best note-taking practice?

Answer: Record them precisely as spoken, since these elements cannot be approximated

Numbers, dates, and proper names must be recorded precisely because even small deviations can significantly alter the meaning of legal testimony.

What is the recommended page layout for interpreter notes to best reflect the logical structure of speech?

Answer: Diagonal or vertical, with indentation for subordinate ideas

The diagonal/vertical layout with indentation mirrors the hierarchical structure of ideas, making it easier to reconstruct the original speech logically.

In the context of court interpretation, 'short-term memory decay' refers to:

Answer: The natural fading of information from working memory if not recorded or refreshed

Short-term memory naturally decays within seconds without active processing or recording, making timely note-taking essential for consecutive interpretation accuracy.