Interpreter’s Shorthand: Master Note-Taking Symbols
Note-Taking Mastery Guide
Developing Your Professional Shorthand for Consecutive Interpretation
The Golden Rule of Notes:
Never try to write down every word. Capture the Who, What, When, Where, and How using symbols. This keeps your brain focused on the meaning while your hand records the data.
Common Interpreter Symbols
Legal / Courtroom
Δ Defendant / Acusado
π Plaintiff / Demandante
Jx Judge / Juez
Wx Witness / Testigo
[ ] Court / Chamber / Prison
$ Fine / Bail / Money
Medical / Clinical
(+) Positive / Improvement
(-) Negative / Decline
Rx Prescription
Hx History / Records
Sx Surgery / Procedure
Dx Diagnosis
Movement & Logic
→ Result / Led to
≠ Different / Disagree
? Question / Unclear
! Urgent / Warning
Time & Frequency
@ At / Location
T Time / Hour
d Day / Daily
y Year
Sample Translation into Notes:
Speaker says: "The defendant went to the hospital last week for surgery."
(Defendant) went to (Hospital) (Last Week) (Surgery)
© 2026 The Interpreter Academy USA | Developed by Samuel Arcelay