John Benjamins Publishing Company
Aptitude testing over the years
Abstract
In the present paper I review the existing literature on aptitude testing with a view to highlighting the main emerging themes: which qualities indicate an aptitude in a prospective interpreter, how these qualities may be measured and which types of test should be administered, the issue of valid and reliable testing, proposals for test designs, and, finally, description of aptitude tests which have identified statistically significant predictors. The focus is on spoken language, but signed-language aptitude testing is also partially covered. Available results so far appear to show that interpreting-related cognitive skills and verbal fluency may be measured and may be predictive both for spoken-language and for signed-language interpreting candidates. In particular, the production of synonyms appears to be a strong aptitude predictor from several independent research projects.
Abstract
In the present paper I review the existing literature on aptitude testing with a view to highlighting the main emerging themes: which qualities indicate an aptitude in a prospective interpreter, how these qualities may be measured and which types of test should be administered, the issue of valid and reliable testing, proposals for test designs, and, finally, description of aptitude tests which have identified statistically significant predictors. The focus is on spoken language, but signed-language aptitude testing is also partially covered. Available results so far appear to show that interpreting-related cognitive skills and verbal fluency may be measured and may be predictive both for spoken-language and for signed-language interpreting candidates. In particular, the production of synonyms appears to be a strong aptitude predictor from several independent research projects.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introduction
- Aptitude for interpreting 1
-
Articles
- Aptitude testing over the years 7
- Learning styles, motivation and cognitive flexibility in interpreter training 33
- A story of attitudes and aptitudes? 55
- Cognitive and motivational contributors to aptitude 71
- Evaluating emotional stability as a predictor of interpreter competence and aptitude for interpreting 87
- Domain-general cognitive abilities and simultaneous interpreting skill 107
- Testing aptitude for interpreting 129
- Assessing aptitude for interpreting 147
- Putting interpreting admissions exams to the test 161
- About the authors 177
- Index 181
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
-
Introduction
- Aptitude for interpreting 1
-
Articles
- Aptitude testing over the years 7
- Learning styles, motivation and cognitive flexibility in interpreter training 33
- A story of attitudes and aptitudes? 55
- Cognitive and motivational contributors to aptitude 71
- Evaluating emotional stability as a predictor of interpreter competence and aptitude for interpreting 87
- Domain-general cognitive abilities and simultaneous interpreting skill 107
- Testing aptitude for interpreting 129
- Assessing aptitude for interpreting 147
- Putting interpreting admissions exams to the test 161
- About the authors 177
- Index 181
