Interpreting is a highly demanding cognitive activity that requires the interpreter to listen, analyze, memorize, and reproduce information almost simultaneously. In both English–Vietnamese and Vietnamese–English interpreting, successful performance depends not only on linguistic competence but also on the effective application of specific interpreting techniques. Among these techniques, short-term memory management, note-taking, anticipation, reformulation, and the use of abbreviations are considered fundamental.

Short-term memory plays a crucial role in retaining information for brief periods while the interpreter processes the speaker’s message. Since spoken language is transient, interpreters must quickly identify main ideas, supporting details, and logical relationships. Rather than memorizing isolated words, professional interpreters focus on meaning units and speaker intention. Techniques such as chunking information and recognizing discourse markers help reduce cognitive overload, especially in long or information-dense speeches.

Note-taking functions as a supporting tool for memory instead of a full written record of the speech. Effective notes are selective, concise, and well organized. Interpreters typically write down key nouns, verbs, figures, and proper names while omitting less important elements. A vertical layout is often used to reflect the structure of ideas, making it easier to retrieve information during reformulation. Symbols, spacing, and arrows are commonly employed to indicate logical connections such as cause and effect or contrast.

The use of abbreviations significantly increases efficiency during note-taking. Although each interpreter may develop a personal system, some abbreviations are widely shared in practice. For instance, “gov” may stand for government, “econ” for economy, “env” for environment, and “edu” for education. Logical relations are often represented by symbols such as “+” for addition, “→” for result, “≠” for contrast, and arrows indicating increase or decrease. Writing numbers and dates in figures also saves time and mental effort.

Another important technique is anticipation, also known as predictive listening. This refers to the interpreter’s ability to foresee upcoming information based on context, grammar, and background knowledge. Anticipation is particularly useful when dealing with fast speakers or complex sentence structures. By predicting the speaker’s direction, interpreters can prepare appropriate expressions in the target language and reduce hesitation during delivery.

Reformulation is the ability to express the same idea using natural and appropriate structures in the target language. Instead of translating word for word, interpreters adapt the message to suit the grammatical and stylistic conventions of the target language. This technique helps ensure clarity, coherence, and naturalness, especially when the source language structure differs significantly from the target language.

In conclusion, effective interpreting requires the integration of several key techniques, including short-term memory management, strategic note-taking, efficient use of abbreviations, anticipation, and reformulation. Mastery of these techniques enables interpreters to deliver accurate and professional interpretations in both English–Vietnamese and Vietnamese–English contexts.