Event-related EEG theta and alpha band oscillatory responses during language translation

Abstract

Recent investigations on oscillatory EEG dynamics by means of event-related synchronisation and desynchronisation (ERS/ERD) suggest that first language semantic information processing is primarily reflected in the theta (4–7Hz) and alpha (7–13Hz) frequency bands. In this pilot study we explore whether similar ERS/ERD patterns emerge during language translation and which frequency bands sensitively respond to the difficulty of translation and the translation success. Thirteen female students of translation and interpreting were visually presented high and low frequency English words that had to be translated into German. Time–frequency representations of ERS/ERD between 2 and 50Hz displayed a theta ERS response about 200–600ms after word presentation, a beta ERD from about 400ms, and alpha ERS and ERD patterns about 200–400ms after word presentation. Statistical analyses of the ERS/ERD data in the theta (4–7Hz), two alpha frequency bands (7–10Hz and 10–13Hz), and a beta band (20–30Hz) predominantly revealed: (a) higher parietal theta ERS and frontal upper alpha ERD during the translation of low as compared to high frequency words, and (b) generally stronger ERD in the lower alpha band and larger left-hemispheric upper alpha ERD for successfully translated in contrast to not translated low frequency words. These findings provide first evidence of the sensitivity of the theta and alpha ERS/ERD measure to lexical–semantic processes involved in language translation.