Signed Language Working Memory Capacity of Signed Language Interpreters and Deaf Signers
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| Title: | Signed Language Working Memory Capacity of Signed Language Interpreters and Deaf Signers |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Wang, Jihong, Napier, Jemina |
| Source: | Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. Apr 2013 18(2):271-286. |
| Availability: | Oxford University Press. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP, UK. Tel: +44-1865-353907; Fax: +44-1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://jdsde.oxfordjournals.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2013 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Sign Language, Foreign Countries, Language Acquisition, Deafness, Short Term Memory, Age Differences, Hearing Impairments, Deaf Interpreting |
| Geographic Terms: | Australia |
| DOI: | 10.1093/deafed/ens068 |
| ISSN: | 1081-4159 |
| Abstract: | This study investigated the effects of hearing status and age of signed language acquisition on signed language working memory capacity. Professional Auslan (Australian sign language)/English interpreters (hearing native signers and hearing nonnative signers) and deaf Auslan signers (deaf native signers and deaf nonnative signers) completed an Auslan working memory (WM) span task. The results revealed that the hearing signers (i.e., the professional interpreters) significantly outperformed the deaf signers on the Auslan WM span task. However, the results showed no significant differences between the native signers and the nonnative signers in their Auslan working memory capacity. Furthermore, there was no significant interaction between hearing status and age of signed language acquisition. Additionally, the study found no significant differences between the deaf native signers (adults) and the deaf nonnative signers (adults) in their Auslan working memory capacity. The findings are discussed in relation to the participants' memory strategies and their early language experience. The findings present challenges for WM theories. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2013 |
| Accession Number: | EJ999625 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study investigated the effects of hearing status and age of signed language acquisition on signed language working memory capacity. Professional Auslan (Australian sign language)/English interpreters (hearing native signers and hearing nonnative signers) and deaf Auslan signers (deaf native signers and deaf nonnative signers) completed an Auslan working memory (WM) span task. The results revealed that the hearing signers (i.e., the professional interpreters) significantly outperformed the deaf signers on the Auslan WM span task. However, the results showed no significant differences between the native signers and the nonnative signers in their Auslan working memory capacity. Furthermore, there was no significant interaction between hearing status and age of signed language acquisition. Additionally, the study found no significant differences between the deaf native signers (adults) and the deaf nonnative signers (adults) in their Auslan working memory capacity. The findings are discussed in relation to the participants' memory strategies and their early language experience. The findings present challenges for WM theories. |
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| ISSN: | 1081-4159 |
| DOI: | 10.1093/deafed/ens068 |
