Linguistic Analysis of Note-taking Strategies in Consecutive Interpretation Based on Saussures Structuralism

Abstract

Note-taking is simultaneously a key feature and a widely used tool in consecutive interpretation. Based on Saussures Structuralist Linguistics, this essay attempts to evaluate current studies and strategies of CI note-taking and generate further understanding of note-taking procedure from a linguistic perspective. It is interested in three key aspects: theoretical explanation of the course of note-taking, theoretical analysis of current note-taking methods, and developing criteria for note-taking effectiveness. By correlating and analyzing Saussures theory and note-taking studies, this essay will approach these aspects in the following sections. It develops three continua to identify the key aspects of different note-taking strategies: the diversity of symbols, the length and number of words, and the preference for either words or symbols. The conclusion suggests that all CI note-taking strategies are fundamental variations of the distribution of two key resources, cognitive load and time, to achieve two objectives: to serve as auxiliary memory and language reminder. The three continua represent two basic features of notes: volume and language dependency. Despite different focuses on various strategies, practitioners are suggested to adopt a method suitable for their specific capabilities.