Some symbols and abbreviations used by interpreters

A Symbols with predictive functions

A1 In consecutive interpreting, the arrow is one of the most useful symbols in note taking. It has a wide range of functions and meanings.

arrive; come to; introduce; import; transmit; tend towards; lead to.

received; depart; come from; proceed from.

return from; to.

improve; increase; add; develop; speed up.

Worsen; decrease; decline; slowdown.

A2 Another versatile symbol is a slanting line indicating relationships.

Related to; connected with; in respect of; concerning.

To be (VB) equal; comprise.

To be (VB); not equal to; be different from.

Do away with; forbid; cannot; must not*.

State; say; declare; announce.

Think.

To decide.

Approve; agree; acceptable.

Disapprove; disagree; unacceptable.

* is often used to indicate the No. of times, so is better in this case

B Symbols indicating time

Now; at present; today.

Past; formerly.

Long age.

Future; afterwards; coming.

In the distant future.

Soon

Very soon; shortly.

Period of time.

Beginning of a period of time or action

End of a period of time or action

C Some useful general symbols and abbreviation

Country; state

Region

City

World

Nation; people; group of people

Question; problem

Perhaps

Very likely

Therefore; consequently

Conference; meeting; congress

Surprise; unusual

Bring closer; bring together; put into contact.

Move apart; separate.

Always

Never

Remember; recall

Suggest; promise; suggestion; proposal

To change; alter

All

D Symbols for emphasis

When drawn below a symbol or abbreviation, a line indicates a bigger size or quantity. The more lines the greater the emphasis

City a big city a very big city

the biggest city in the world

When drawn above a symbol or abbreviation, a line indicates a smaller size or quantity.

A small city a very minor matter

E Point

Point

Point of argument of discussion

Point of view

Note taking exercise 

1.  In the last 25 years, particularly, 3.1 million people came from 70 different countries and locations around the world. That was an intake of migrants 5 times that of the United Natio… United States, rather, in the same period. Today, in Australia, there would be 13% of the Australian population that would have some connection with Italy. There would be a million people in Australia of Italian birth or extraction. And of course, that dates back to the arrival of the first Italian settler, a guest of the government. Mr Tuso (?). on the First Fleet in 1788 

2.  Then, in terms of Greek settlement, there would be about a half a million people  of Greek birth or decent in Australia and Melbourne today is the fourth larges Greek­ speaking city in the world. It follows Athens, Salonica and Nicosia, the city Cypriot/ the Cypriot capitol as the fourth largest Greek­ speaking city in the world 

3.  And then, of course, you have from Malta 400,000 people either born there or their pairents came from there, and that means that we have in Australia 50,000 people, more people of Maltese birth or decent than there inMalta, because the entire Rebublic of Malta. I think has 350 000. We have 50,000. 

4.  Now in terms of  Yougoslav settler, there would be more than a quarter of a million and that comes from all over the component states and independent republics of  Yougoslavia. And then 130 000 people that… whose first language would be Arabic. And then, large groups, such as people of German origin…..Dutch…..Spanish speaking and/ and so on. So that you got today one Australian in three a product of post­war migration, and also half the population will shortly be under 25, and so these people who were alive in Australia at the time of World War 11 are a minority.