ISSN 1671-3710
CN 11-4766/R

Advances in Psychological Science ›› 2021, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (4): 625-634.doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1042.2021.00625

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Interpreter advantages in switching ability

ZHAO Hong-ming1, DONG Yan-ping2   

  1. 1Center for Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Guangzhou 510420, China;
    2School of International Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
  • Received:2020-04-23 Online:2021-04-15 Published:2021-02-23

Abstract: Interpreting can be regarded as an intensive language switching activity. Compared with non-interpreting bilinguals, interpreters have shown advantages in both abilities of rule-based switch and task-based switch. However, it is still disputed whether interpreter advantages in task-based switch originate from local switch or global monitoring. Preliminary evidence shows that interpreting training first brings interpreters an advantage in local switch (indexed by switch cost in a univalent switching task), and then later it may bring interpreters an advantage in global monitoring (indexed by mixing cost in a bivalent switching task). The intensity of language switch and other particular language control features of interpreting are probably the factors affecting the presence and development of interpreters’ advantages in switching. These results have implications for research on bilingual advantages and other related topics.

Key words: switching ability, interpreter advantage in switching, rule-based switch, task-based switch, bilingual advantage

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