How do you deal with long and complex sentences in consecutive interpretation?

In one word: Focus. Listen to every word, and then you highlight what is more important. The fact is: you never know for how long the speaker is going to talk, and sometimes they don't even know how interpretation works. You can't guess what they are going to say, and you just have fractions of seconds to listen, understand and pass the message on. Of course, sometimes you can ask them to (shut the hell up and let me do my job) pause so you can interpret. But sometimes you can't, so focusing in the words to understand the message is crucial. Note-taking skills are very important too.

I visualise what I hear in a manner I would imagine a story. I concentrate to grasp the real meaning and all the subtle nuances. I take notes, lots of them. Note taking is probably key for me when a client tends to speak a lot in one go, especially if it's a clear series of events or a list or it's something I m familiar with. If I can use my laptop for the notes, even better as I can type faster. Sometimes though, if the sentences are not very clear and presented in a rather chaotic manner, I may choose to write down key words only and instead pay more attention in order to organise the information in my head to achieve a proper understanding of the speech before I begin to interpret. In such cases, visualising is even more useful.

Simplification is not always a good choice. There are situations when you have to be more than precise and accurate. One way to deal with the complex sentences is to divide them into smaller and simpler ones in your mind. Using notes is not always helpful simply because you may not have the time or sufficient attention span to listen, remember and write something down at the same time. Make notes in your head. Throw out some anchors in your mind that will serve as connectors between the parts of complex sentences or abstracts. You are not always able to stop the speaker so that you can get a pause. Hence, such connectors will actually give you clues to the next part you need to interpret.

The only thing taking notes in consecutive interpretation will help you with is the dates or specific names. Other than that, many interpreters find note taking in consecutive interpretation sessions a waste of time or a distraction. One must be really good at note taking to be able to use it during the consecutive interpretation. Otherwise, rely on your short-term memory and train it constantly. Besides, it may happen so that you will not be able to take notes at some point, but since you relied on it for so long, it will bite you back and you will fail massively without your "usual" notepad and pen.

I recommend practicing in your native language first. Use: -A notepad. -A recording of a speaker in the field you want to work in (medical, tech, financial, entertainment, etc.). Create symbols for shorthand while you practice paraphrasing. -Listen for 30 seconds at a time, take notes, pause, paraphrase, repeat. -Develop your shorthand through the process. Research shows that using notepads vs tablets positively impacts memory recall. The numbers and my own experience were compelling enough for me to forego tablets/smartphones for interpreting entirely. Key considerations: -Note-taking =/= writing down everything said. If you lose time doing it, you need more practice. -Create prompts to jog your memory of what was said.

In my note-taking experience, I always use abbreviations, symbols, shortened-word versions, and short-term memory. For the note-taking device, I love the traditional and reliable one. It is a pen and paper. It helps me get things done faster and avoid system issues (if we use the stylus or other devices). The essence of note-taking is also the accuracy and the speed. All I want to say is don't get distracted.

Hmm. I’m mostly simultaneous because it’s just faster and easier. However. Some situations require note taking and. Consecutive. If you don’t take notes you are doing yourself and your clients a disservice. It pays to get good at that. High school debate experience finally paid off!! 😂😂😂

I agree ... Note-taking is not that much basic in consecutive interpreting. Note-taking is only for numbers, dates and names.

Record yourself! And then the worst step... Listen to yourself! This is the quickest way to improve not only how you interpret, but also how you speak in general. Who isn't squeamish about listening to and analyzing the way we speak? Ultimately, your clients are the ones who listen to your voice most of the time, so why not get a little familiar with the service you provide? I cannot emphasize enough how helpful reviewing is in the process of reinforcing your speaking skills.

I do take notes. I don't just write, though. What I do is like mapping. It's like a sketch, with words, names, dates, numbers, and what is most important, lines and arrows. So, chronology, and logical patterns. In order for this to work, I either know the topic very well, or learn about it in advance. Knowledge, familiarity with the topic is what gives you confidence. Finally, listen to the tone of the meeting, conversation, and speakers. You usually learn a lot at the meeting, you learn specific terms or preferences. Pick them up, integrate into you rendering of the messages. That makes interpretation flow so well, they forget there is interpretation involved.

Still, if someone had advised Tom Thumb (in Gille Perrault's le Petit Poucet) to develop his memory as a sole safe tool for his trip back home, i am sure he would still have insisted on sawing pebbles along his trying trip inside the forest. The same apply to consecutive interpreters who do need to take notes , if only as a mnemonic support and also to pen down all sorts of "stand alone" figures and names with no evident semantic grips to hold on. Best.