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- Volume 2, Issue 1-2, 1997
Interpreting - Volume 2, Issue 1-2, 1997
Volume 2, Issue 1-2, 1997
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Information processing and a computational approach to the study of simultaneous interpretation
Author(s): Dominic W. Massaro and Miriam Shlesingerpp.: 13–53 (41)More LessWe begin by describing some challenges to psychological inquiry and to the understanding of simultaneous interpretation. We then articulate the computational and hypothesis-testing approach to inquiry, and illustrate a general information-processing model. We discuss some experimental and theoretical studies of language processing carried out within the information-processing approach. We analyze not only behavioral measures of language processing but also its phenomenal experience. We close with a review of two current hypotheses about simultaneous interpreting and consider some methodological hurdles in the study of this fascinating skill.
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A psycholinguistic perspective on Simultaneous Interpretation
Author(s): Ulrich Frauenfelder and Herbert Schrieferspp.: 55–89 (35)More LessExperimental psycholinguistics investigates the cognitive processes underlying our ability to comprehend and produce language using empirical tools similar to those used in experimental psychology. In so doing, it adopts the strategy of cognitive decomposition (see also Massaro & Shlesinger, this volume). It first studies the component language processes in isolation, and only later are these processes investigated in the larger context of other component processes. In the present paper, we attempt to illustrate how the complex cognitive skill of simultaneous translation can fruitfully be examined from this psycholinguistic perspective, despite the scepticism from some of the SI community towards such an experimental enterprise. Inversely, we will also show that studies of the processes underlying simultaneous translation promise to provide us with important insights in psycholinguistics.
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Modeling cognition in SI: Methodological issues
Author(s): Deryle Lonsdalepp.: 91–117 (27)More LessIn this paper we discuss methodological issues pertaining to cognitive modeling of simultaneous interpretation. We briefly introduce the notion of cognition and efforts to model aspects of language-related processing. Previous work identifying cognitive processes in SI is sampled, and empirical SI studies are also mentioned. A rationale for modeling SI cognition follows, and relevant issues are sketched: whom to model, system dynamics, applicable technologies, and various possible processing scenarios. A discussion of evaluation considerations and requisite data resources follows. Throughout, we raise questions that must be addressed by the SI community, among both researchers and practitioners, if modeling SI is to be successfully realized in the future.
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The proposed role of suppression in simultaneous interpretation
Author(s): Morton Ann Gernsbacher and Miriam Shlesingerpp.: 119–140 (22)More LessIn this paper we suggest that the cognitive mechanism of suppression attenuates interference in many language comprehension phenomena, and is particularly crucial when comprehension must share processing capacity with other cognitive tasks, as is manifestly the case in simultaneous interpreting. During lexical access, the mechanism of suppression attenuates the interference caused by the activation of other lexical information, such as the inappropriate meanings of homonyms. During anaphoric reference, the mechanism of suppression attenuates the interference caused by the activation of other potential referents. In this way, the referent to which the anaphor does refer becomes the most activated concept. During syntactic parsing, the mechanism of suppression attenuates the interference caused by a previous syntactic form. During metaphor comprehension, the mechanism of suppression attenuates the interference caused by a literal interpretation. During inferencing, the mechanism of suppression attenuates the interference caused by an initial but inappropriate inference. We propose therefore that suppression — a general, cognitive mechanism that attenuates interference — plays a crucial role in language comprehension and simultaneous interpretation.
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Corpus-based methods for NLP and translation studies
Author(s): Susan Armstrongpp.: 141–162 (22)More LessThis paper gives an overview of current topics and themes in corpus-based studies of language that could be of relevance for interpretation research. Basic methods and their practical use in NLP and speech applications are presented. Issues in data acquisition and annotation, the basis for all data-oriented work, are also discussed. The paper concludes with some suggestions on how this work could be applied to corpus-based interpretation studies.
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The bilingual individual
Author(s): Francois Grosjeanpp.: 163–187 (25)More LessThis article presents a general overview of the adult bilingual individual. First, the bilingual is defined and discussed in terms of the complementary principle, i.e. the fact that bilinguals acquire and use their languages for different purposes, in different domains of life, with different people. Next, the various language modes bilinguals find themselves in during their everyday interactions are examined. These range from the monolingual mode when they are communicating with monolinguals (and they have to deactivate all but one language) to the bilingual mode when they are interacting with other bilinguals who share their two (or more) languages and with whom they can mix languages if they so wish (i.e. code-switch and borrow). The article ends with a rapid survey of the psycholinguistics of bilingualism and, in particular, of how bilinguals access their lexicon when perceiving mixed speech. The regular bilingual is compared to the interpreter bilingual whenever possible.
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The cognitive psychology of expertise and the domain of interpreting
Author(s): Robert R. Hoffmanpp.: 189–230 (42)More LessThis article surveys findings from cognitive science research on expertise, with a focus on applications to the domain of simultaneous interpreting, including methods of knowledge elicitation that might be useful in the empirical investigation of proficiency at simultaneous interpreting. Defining features of expertise include its developmental progression, the nature of expert memory organization, and the nature of expert reasoning. I explore ways in which a number of defining criteria might apply to the domain of interpreting. With regard to knowledge elicitation, I explore three knowledge elicitation methods that sample the palette of available methods, specifically, a type of structured interview, a type of task analysis, and a more contrived or laboratory task.
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Psychophysiological stress research
Author(s): Hans Zeierpp.: 231–249 (19)More LessThis paper gives an overview of physiological stress responses and shows methods for measuring such responses in field studies. It discusses the available techniques for assessing endocrinological and immune functions, cardiovascular functions, physical activity, electrodermal activity, muscle activity, respiration, and, the size of the eye pupil. Furthermore, methods for collecting psychological data are depicted. As examples for psychophysiological stress research under natural conditions, a showmaster's heart rate responses during a TV show are reported, as well as psychophysiological effects of work demands in air traffic controllers and in simultaneous interpreting. The latter example shows that mental overload in simultaneous interpreting may change the attitude to the job: It is taken less seriously and a certain carelessness sets in. This might be an effective self-defense mechanism against mental overload caused by situations such as increased time on task, extremely fast speakers, unintelligible speakers, and long working hours. It seems to occur rather automatically, without being noticed by the performing interpreter. Especially with increased time on task, interpreters' own judgement of output quality, whether they are novices or experts, seems to become extremely unreliable.
Volumes & issues
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Volume 26 (2024)
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Volume 25 (2023)
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Volume 24 (2022)
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Volume 23 (2021)
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Volume 22 (2020)
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Volume 21 (2019)
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Volume 20 (2018)
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Volume 19 (2017)
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Volume 18 (2016)
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Volume 17 (2015)
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Volume 16 (2014)
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Volume 15 (2013)
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Volume 14 (2012)
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Volume 13 (2011)
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Volume 12 (2010)
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Volume 11 (2009)
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Volume 10 (2008)
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Volume 9 (2007)
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Volume 8 (2006)
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Volume 7 (2005)
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Volume 6 (2004)
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Volume 5 (2000)
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Volume 4 (1999)
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Volume 3 (1998)
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Volume 2 (1997)
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Volume 1 (1996)
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The bilingual individual
Author(s): Francois Grosjean
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