title: Better dual-task processing in simultaneous interpreters.
abstract: Simultaneous interpreting (SI) is a highly complex activity and requires the performance and coordination of multiple, simultaneous tasks: analysis and understanding of the discourse in a first language, reformulating linguistic material, storing of intermediate processing steps, and language production in a second language among others. It is, however, an open issue whether persons with experience in SI possess superior skills in coordination of multiple tasks and whether they are able to transfer these skills to lab-based dual-task situations. Within the present study, we set out to explore whether interpreting experience is associated with related higher-order executive functioning in the context of dual-task situations of the Psychological Refractory Period (PRP) type. In this PRP situation, we found faster reactions times in participants with experience in simultaneous interpretation in contrast to control participants without such experience. Thus, simultaneous interpreters possess superior skills in coordination of multiple tasks in lab-based dual-task situations.
authors.affiliation: Medical School Hamburg Hamburg, Germany ; Humboldt University of Berlin Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Tilo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Strobach
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Maxi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Humboldt University of Berlin Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schubert
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Hamburg, Germany ; Max Planck Institute for Human Development Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kühn
keywords: dual tasks; executive functions; simultaneous interpreting; task coordination