Directionality in ASL-English interpreting: Accuracy and articulation quality in L1 and L2

Area of Science:

• Linguistics
• Interpreting Studies
• Sign Language Research

Background:

• A long-standing debate in interpreting studies concerns whether performance is superior when interpreting into a native language (L1) or a non-native language (L2).
• While spoken language interpreters often show a preference for L1, signed language interpreters report a preference for L2 (American Sign Language).

Purpose of the Study:

• This study investigated whether signed language interpreters (SLIs) exhibit differential performance based on interpreting directionality (L1 English vs. L2 American Sign Language).
• The research aimed to determine if the reported preference for L2 aligns with actual performance differences in accuracy and articulation.

Main Methods:

• Thirty interpreters (15 novice, 15 expert) participated in experimental conditions.
• Interpretations into L1 (English) and L2 (American Sign Language) were assessed for accuracy (semantic content) and articulation quality (flow, speed, prosody).

Main Results:

• Novice interpreters demonstrated significantly higher accuracy and articulation quality when interpreting into their L1 (English).
• Expert interpreters showed comparable accuracy and articulation quality regardless of the interpreting direction.
• Novice performance supports the hypothesis that L2 production difficulty impacts interpreting outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Novice signed language interpreters perform better when interpreting into English (L1) compared to American Sign Language (L2).
• Expert interpreters' performance is not direction-dependent, highlighting a potential disconnect between preference and actual ability.
• Findings suggest novice interpreters may overestimate their L2 signing proficiency due to reliance on strategies like fingerspelling and transcoding, coupled with weak self-monitoring.