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.
Highlights
Interpreting is a concurrent process that involves listening and comprehension of speech segments in the source language (SL), attention and retention of the incoming segments and production of equivalents in the target language (TL) with little time tag (Gerver, 1975; Liu et al, 2004)
This systematic and meta-analytic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). This systematic and meta-analytic review aims to answer the following three questions: (1) Do interpreters exhibit EF advantages over non-interpreters or professional interpreters over novice interpreters? This question will be answered by reviewing cross-sectional correlational or between-group comparisons; (2) Do interpreters enhance EFs with interpreting training? This question will be answered by reviewing longitudinal studies; (3) Do interpreters exhibit EF advantages on specific tasks? This question will be answered by meta-analysis of five replicable tasks
A total of 305 studies was included based on relevance with the present systematic review, of which 215 was sourced from Google Scholar, 75 from Baidu Scholar and 15 from ScienceDirect
Summary
Interpreting is a concurrent process that involves listening and comprehension of speech segments in the source language (SL), attention and retention of the incoming segments and (re) production of equivalents in the target language (TL) with little time tag (Gerver, 1975; Liu et al, 2004). Interpreting is effortful (Christoffels et al, 2006; Babcock and Vallesi, 2017) and filled with “problem triggers”, such as those caused by dense information, strong accent, thick terminology and asymmetrical SL-TL structures (Gile, 2009: 161–178). It relies on systematic training of interpreting strategies (Li, 2013; Dong et al, 2019) and use of interpreting technologies to reduce cognitive saturation (Gile, 2008; 2011; Fantinuoli, 2018). Executive functioning is effortful and trainable (Diamond, 2013: 154)
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