The interpreter advantage in executive functions—A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors

  • Minxia Hu

    College of Foreign Languages and Cultures, Sichuan University
  • Wenjiao Fan

    College of Foreign Languages and Cultures, Sichuan University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18063/fls.v3i1.1251

Abstract

Given the heavy cognitive load inherent in language interpreting, interpreters may develop cognitive advantages from managing frequent switching of linguistic codes and working modes. Based on a systematic review of executive functions of inhibiting, shifting and working memory (WM) updating by Nour et al. (2020) and meta-analysis of working memory by Wen and Dong (2019) and Mellinger and Hanson (2019), this research follows the PICOS framework and the PRISMA guideline to synthesize findings from 98 tasks of 29 original studies from International and Chinese databases with a cut-off date of 1st October, 2020. Substantial evidence for an interpreter advantage in shifting was found, but not for inhibition or updating. The meta-analysis showed 1) a moderate to high effect in shifting (g = 0.68, seven WCST effects; g = -0.32, eight switching cost effects); 2) no effect in inhibiting (g = 0.13, six Stroop effects); 3) mixed effects in WM updating. Subgroup analysis on WM updating revealed significant training effects from within-group comparisons (g = 0.58, five 2-back effects; g = 0.71, two L2 listening span effects), but insignificant difference from between-group comparisons (g = -0.03 , five 2-back effects; g = 0.18, five L2 listening span effects ). More reproducible behavioral research with scientific and consistent designs is needed for a clearer understanding of the relationship between interpreting experience and EFs.

Keywords:

interpreting experience; interpreter advantage; executive functions; inhibition; shifting; working memory updating

References

Aparicio X, Heidlmayr K and Isel F (2017) Inhibition efficiency in highly proficient bilinguals and simultaneous interpreters: Evidence from language switching and Stroop tasks. Journal of Psycholinguistic Research 46: 1427–1451.

Atkinson LZ and Cipriani A (2018) How to carry out a literature search for a systematic review: A practical guide. BJPsych Advances 24(2): 74–82.

Attanak A, Juntapremjit S and Chaisuriya A (2019) The impact on working memory of the 4-D multiple resource model as embedded in interpretation training. Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences) 12(4): 125–135.

Babcock L and Vallesi A (2017) Are simultaneous interpreters expert bilinguals, unique bilinguals, or both. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition 20(2): 403–417.

Babcock L, Capizzi M, Arbula S, et al. (2017) Short-term memory improvement after simultaneous interpretation training. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement 1(3): 254–267.

Baddeley A (1996) Exploring the central executive. The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology 49A(1): 5–28.

Baddeley A (2012) Working memory: Theories, models, and controversies. The Annual Review of Psychology 63(1): 1–29.

Borenstein M, Hedges L, Higgins J, et al. (2011) Introduction to Meta-analysis. United Kingdom: John Wiley & Sons.

Bialystok E and DePape A (2009) Musical expertise, bilingualism, and executive functioning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance 35(2): 565–574.

Card N (2012) Applied Meta-Analysis for Social Science Research. New York: The Guilford Press.

Chein JM and Schneider W (2012) The brain’s learning and control architecture. Current Directions in Psychological Science 21: 78–84.

Chen S (2017) The construct of cognitive load in interpreting and its measurement. Perspectives 25(4): 640–657.

Chmiel A (2018) In search of the working memory advantage in conference interpreting-training, experience and task effects. International Journal of Bilingualism 22 (3): 371–384.

Christoffels IK, de Groot AMB and Kroll JF (2006) Memory and language skills in simultaneous interpreters: The role of expertise and language proficiency. Journal of Memory and Language 54(3): 324–345.

Conway A, Kane M, Bunting M, et al. (2005) Working memory span task: A methodological review and user’s guide. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 12(5): 769–786.

Darò V and Fabbro F (1994) Verbal memory during simultaneous interpretation: Effects of phonological interference. Applied Linguistics 15(4): 365–381.

De Smedt S (2016) The effect of interpreter training on working memory executive control. Master’s Thesis, University of Gent.

Diamond A (2013) Executive functions. Annual Review of Psychology 64: 135–168.

Dong Y and Li P (2020) Attentional control in interpreting: A model of language control and processing control. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition 23(4): 716–728.

Dong Y, Li Y and Zhao N (2019) Acquisition of interpreting strategies by student interpreters. Interpreter and Translator Trainer 13(4): 408–425.

Dong Y and Liu Y (2016) Classes in translating and interpreting produce differential gains in switching and updating. Frontiers in Psychology 7: 1297.

Dong Y, Liu Y and Cai R (2018) How does consecutive interpreting training influence working memory: A longitudinal study of potential links between the two. Frontiers in Psychology 9: 875.

Dong Y and Xie Z (2014) Contributions of L2 proficiency and interpreting experience to cognitive control differences among young adult bilinguals. Journal of Cognitive Psychology 26 (5): 506–519.

Dong Y and Zhong F (2019) The intense bilingual experience of interpreting and its neurocognitive consequences. In: Schwieter J (ed) The Handbook of the Neuroscience of Multilingualism. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, pp.685–700.

Fantinuoli C (2018) Interpreting and technology: the upcoming technological turn. In: Fantinuoli C (ed) Interpreting and Technology. Berlin: Language Science Press, pp.1–12.

Friedman NP and Miyake A (2017) Unity and diversity of executive functions: Individual differences as a window on cognitive structure. Cortex 86: 186–204.

García AM (2014) The interpreter advantage hypothesis: Preliminary data patterns and empirically motivated questions. The Journal of the American Translation and Interpreting Studies Association 9: 219–238.

Gerver D (1975) A psychological approach to simultaneous interpretation. Meta 20(2): 119–128.

Gilbert S and Burgess P (2008) Executive function. Current Biology 18(3): R110–R114.

Gile D (2009) Basic Concepts and Models for Interpreter and Translator Training (2nd ed.). Amsterdam: John Benjamins.

Gile D (2011) Errors, omissions and infelicities in broadcast interpreting. Preliminary findings from a case study. In: Alvstad C, Hild A and Tiselius E (eds) Methods and Strategies of P