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Psychological testing of sign language interpreters
1Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, MSC 4304, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA. sealbc@jmu.edu
Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education
|August 12, 2004
Summary
Cognitive and personality tests did not significantly differentiate sign language interpreters by credential level. Abstract reasoning was notably high in most participants, suggesting potential implications for interpreter training and education.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Linguistics
- Interpreter Education
Background:
- Sign language interpreting requires a complex interplay of cognitive, motor, and attention skills.
- Assessing these attributes is crucial for understanding interpreter expertise and professional development.
- Credentialing bodies like the Virginia Quality Assurance Screenings (VQAS) and Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) aim to standardize interpreter qualifications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if cognitive, motor, attention, and personality profiles differentiate sign language interpreters.
- To explore differences based on credentialing levels (VQAS Level II, VQAS Level III, RID).
- To examine potential distinctions between educational and community interpreters.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-eight sign language interpreters were assessed using six formal tests: Quick Neurological Screening Test-II, Wonderlic Personnel Test, Test of Visual-Motor Skills (TVMS), d2 Test of Attention, Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test, and Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF).
- Participants were categorized by their credentialing level (VQAS II, VQAS III, RID) and work setting (educational vs. community).
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare average scores and identify significant correlations.
Main Results:
- Interpreters generally scored high on most cognitive and motor assessments, with no statistically significant differences observed across credentialing groups.
- The d2 Test of Attention was the only measure significantly correlated with interpreter credential level.
- No significant differences were found when comparing educational and community interpreters.
- Abstract reasoning, a personality trait, was exceptionally high in 18 of the 28 interpreters.
Conclusions:
- Current cognitive, motor, and attention assessments do not appear to effectively distinguish between sign language interpreters of varying credential levels.
- The high abstract reasoning scores suggest this trait may be prevalent and important within the interpreting profession.
- Further research is warranted to explore the implications of these findings for interpreter education and professional standards, particularly for educational interpreters.