Symbols are great….but it is worth abiding by a few basic principles to make sure they HELP rather than HINDER.
A “symbol” is anything, a mark, sign, letter or short word, used to represent a thing, or group of synonymous concepts.
| Why… use symbols? | – they are quicker and easier to write than words – they eliminate source language interference (calque)….because they represent ideas not words |
| How… to use symbols? | – symbols should be clear and unambiguous – prepare symbols in advance, don’t improvise mid-speech and save much heart-ache. – consistent. If “E” is “energy” today, then let it stay that way. Find another symbol for “environment” – make them organic….from one symbol can grow many other related symbols (see below) |
| What… to note with symbols? | – ideas that recur….ie. think, discuss, propose, agree, decide. These symbols can be used regardless of the meeting topic. – and/or specific technical terminology encountered during meeting preparation. These symbols will be used once and discarded. |