Author:

Keywords:

simultaneous interpreting, working memory, attentional control, central executive

Abstract:

This dissertation addresses the question of working memory involvement in conference simultaneous interpreting. Working memory is considered to be a crucial cognitive mechanism for the simultaneous interpreting process, but this assumption has not been substantially supported empirically. The present study builds on an analysis of theoretical literature in both cognitive psychology and Interpreting Studies. A review of previously published empirical research identified several gaps, namely that research focused on a limited range of working memory functions (primarily memory functions) and on participants with no or limited interpreting experience. The design of the present study includes a wider range of working memory tests, with emphasis on central executive functions (related to attention) and on recruitment of professional interpreters. Interpreters’ performance on working memory tests and an interpreting task was compared. The results show that a) interpreters’ working memory is related to their performance in simultaneous interpreting, b) that simultaneous interpreting is predominantly related to the central executive functions, but not to memory functions, c) that some working memory functions seem to develop with interpreting experience, while others do not, and d) that the relationship between working memory and simultaneous interpreting is best described as many-to-many, i.e. different working memory functions predict different sub-processes in simultaneous interpreting in multiple complex patterns. The conclusions of this study are data-driven, but in line with current literature. More specifically, the findings support those accounts of simultaneous interpreting which emphasise attentional control as an important component of simultaneous interpreting processing.