Psychological Testing of Sign Language Interpreters

Seal, Brenda C.

doi:10.1093/deafed/enh010

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The verbal Similarities task measures abstract verbal reasoning and analogical thinking, and is strongly associated with academic success. This result appears to be in line with recent evidence revealing that sign language interpreters are superior to the general population in abstract reasoning skills (Seal 2004). Another verbal task, Digit Span, evaluates auditory short-term working memory and concentration.…”

Section: Predictors Of Sli Proficiencysupporting

confidence: 92%

“…♥ Aptitude mentioned for signed-language interpreters (Lara & de los Santos 2000; Frishberg 1986) a psychological profile of sign language interpreters have also shown that these professionals are cognitively superior, namely in problem solving, motor control, mental concentration, attention to detail and abstract reasoning skills (Seal 2004). No significant evidence regarding the personality of the interpreter is available so far, perhaps because there is not an "ideal" personality (Lara & de los Santos 2000: 32).…”

Section: Personality Academicmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predicting proficiency in signed language interpreting

Gómez

Bajo

Benítez

et al. 2007

INTP

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An empirical study was designed to identify which perceptual-motor, cognitive and personality factors may underlie both acquisition of a signed language as a B language and development of signed language interpreting skills. If abilities that are potentially needed are found, a previous assessment of candidates' potential for developing signed-language interpreting skills could be useful in identifying which students are likely to obtain good results during training. Perceptualmotor and cognitive skills, personality factors and academic background were hypothesized as possible predictors of success. Results showed that perceptual-motor and cognitive abilities are more important than personality traits in predicting proficiency in learning a signed language and developing signed-language interpreting abilities. Perceptual-motor coordination is the most reliable factor for predicting signed language proficiency, followed by other cognitive and personal factors.

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Section: Predictors Of Sli Proficiencysupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Personality Academicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicting proficiency in signed language interpreting

Gómez

Bajo

Benítez

et al. 2007

INTP

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“…In a study of domain-general cognitive abilities with sign language interpreter trainees, López Gómez et al (2007) found positive correlations between interpreting skill and short-term memory, a confidence-type personality trait, and reasoning ability. However, other studies have shown that working interpreters demonstrate higher than average reasoning abilities, but that the degree of intelligence did not reliably differentiate the interpreters based on skill (Rudser & Strong 1986;Seal 2004). Similarly, examinations of working memory capacity of interpreters and interpreter students or non-interpreters have shown mixed results.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Domain-general cognitive abilities and simultaneous interpreting skill

Macnamara

Moore²,

Kegl

et al. 2011

INTP

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This exploratory study examined domain-general cognitive abilities that may serve as aptitudes for interpreting skill by comparing highly skilled sign language interpreters (those considered competent in most interpreting situations) and less skilled sign language interpreters (those considered less than competent in most interpreting situations) on various measures. Specifically, the current study examined the feasibility of predicting interpreter skill level based only on a variety of cognitive abilities and personality traits. We collected data on several cognitive measures, including processing speed, psychomotor speed, cognitive control and task switching ability, fluid intelligence, working memory capacity, and mental flexibility, as well as several personality measures, including risk-taking orientation and emotion-cognition integration style, and intrinsic motivation to engage in complex cognitive tasks. Significant differences emerged between the two groups on both cognitive and personality measures suggesting that a combination of stable domain-general cognitive abilities and personality traits may be responsible for differentiating highly skilled from less skilled interpreters and may therefore be predictive of individuals' future interpreting effectiveness and skill level.

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“…Since that time, many others have studied ASL/English interpreters to learn more about their personality. (See Bontempo, (2012); Bontempo & Napier (2014); Bontempo et al (2014); Doerfert & Wilcox (1986); Frishberg & Enders, 1974, as cited in Frishberg 1990López Gómez, Bajo Molina, & Benitez (2007); Rudser & Strong, 1986;Seal, 2004;Stauffer & Shaw, 2006). Studies show that interpreters are well-educated and bright.…”

Section: Personalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Is grit the ‘X-factor’ for interpreters leaving the profession?

McCartney

2016

Trans-Int

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This study uses the construct of grit, as measured by the persistence a person has to complete his or her goals, even when barriers are present (Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007). The population in this particular study was American Sign Language/English Interpreters, (current and inactive), and those who work in any type of setting (education and/or community). Participants were sent a demographic survey, as well as the 12-item Grit Scale developed by Duckworth et al. (2007). The author scored the Grit Scales based on the scoring guide by Duckworth et al. and measured the respondents' grit scores to see if they had remained in the interpreting profession because they were high in grit. Competing factors that would have forced the person to remain in the profession were also analysed. Tests measuring the analysis of variance were run for variables such as gender, hearing and marital status, the presence of Deaf 1 family members, ethnicity, educational level, and past and present certifications. Additional variables included whether or not the respondent was still a current practitioner, years of experience, why they got out of the profession, if they were satisfied with the profession, if they had another vocation in which they were currently working, if they were the sole income provider for their family, and percentage of their total family income came from the respondents' interpreting work. Respondents were asked if they had ever failed a test for sign language interpreters (American Sign Language/ English interpreters) in the United States. Those tests could be tests of knowledge (computer-based test used to test interpreting knowledge offered by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf to candidates for certification), or a performancebased test (like the one formerly offered by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) certification, or current tests such as the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessments (EIPA), Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI), or the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI)). Finally, qualitative analyses were assessed for the reasons respondents gave for initially choosing interpreting as a profession, as well as what motivated them to continue working as an interpreter. There were two significant findings that were predictive of grit. The first finding occurred when education was grouped in three-tiers: 1) an Associate's Degree; 2) a Bachelor's Degree; 3) a Master's Degree/ terminal degree as the highest achieved level of education. The second significant finding that was predictive of grit occurred with respondents who had NAD III certification. When qualitative responses were analysed for reasons the respondent gave for initially choosing interpreting as a profession, as well as their motivation to remain in the profession, there was a significant change in each of the following categories: intellectual, societal, and monetary.

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Psychological Testing of Sign Language Interpreters

Cited by 18 publications

References 3 publications

Predicting proficiency in signed language interpreting

Predicting proficiency in signed language interpreting

Domain-general cognitive abilities and simultaneous interpreting skill

Is grit the ‘X-factor’ for interpreters leaving the profession?

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