English and Spanish Versions of a Memory Test: Word-Length Effects Versus Spoken-Duration Effects

Abstract

This article offers a methodological strategy to examine cross-language equivalence for tests measuring short-term memory (STM). The test used is the Rey Auditory-Verbal Learning Test (English version, RAVLT-E) and a Spanish translation (RAVLT-S). Two units of analysis to examine comparability were used: "word-length" (as measured by syllable count) and "spoken duration." The participants were bilingual, Mexican American, male, college students. Although the word-length was considerably shorter in English than Spanish, the participants'performance on the RA VLT-Eand the RAVLT-S was not significantly different. Spoken duration quantification was not different between the two test versions. STM researchers and test developers need to be cautious about concluding, a priori, that translated Spanish STM tests (due to greater syllabic count) are inherently inequivalent to their English versions. It is recommended that both units of analysis-word length and spoken duration-be examined in such research.