Information processing and a computational approach to the study of simultaneous interpretation

Abstract

We begin by describing some challenges to psychological inquiry and to the understanding of simultaneous interpretation. We then articulate the computational and hypothesis-testing approach to inquiry, and illustrate a general information-processing model. We discuss some experimental and theoretical studies of language processing carried out within the information-processing approach. We analyze not only behavioral measures of language processing but also its phenomenal experience. We close with a review of two current hypotheses about simultaneous interpreting and consider some methodological hurdles in the study of this fascinating skill.