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Article published In:
Interpreting
Vol. 22:2 (2020) ► pp.163–186

An interpreter advantage in executive functions?

A systematic review

| Vrije Universiteit Brussel
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel | Leiden University
| Ghent University
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel
| Vrije Universiteit Brussel

The aim of this systematic literature review was to answer the question of which executive function is most affected by interpreter training and experience. We used the ‘unity and diversity’ framework of executive functions to distinguish between three executive components: Response and Distractor Inhibition, Shifting, and Updating. Among the seventeen studies included in the review, we only found evidence for an interpreter advantage on Shifting and Updating, but with a different pattern for each of these. With regard to Updating, groups of interpreters scored better than comparison groups, but general trend in longitudinal studies did not show an improvement for interpreter trainees. In contrast, for Shifting, scores improved as a result of interpreting training. Our systematic review stresses the importance of understanding the diversity of executive processes when investigating the relationship between interpreting and cognitive performance.

Keywords: cognitive control, executive functions, bilingual advantage, working memory
Article outline
  • Introduction
    • The present study
  • Methods
    • Literature search and selection criteria
    • Classification of articles
      • Classification according to task of executive functioning
      • Selection based on statistical results
  • Results
    • Selected articles
    • Research question 1
    • Research question 2
    • Research question 3
  • Discussion
    • On which executive process do interpreters score better than a comparison group?
    • Which executive process is related to interpreting experience?
    • Which executive process shows most progress during interpreter training?
    • Integration into theory of executive functions
  • Conclusion
  • Note
  • References
Published online: 2 July 2020
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/intp.00045.nou
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