THE NEUROLINGUISTIC UNDERPINNINGS OF SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETATION: INSIGHTS FROM FOXP2 GENES AND SYNESTHESIA

Аннотация

This article has explored the interplay between simultaneous interpretation and neurolinguistics, delving into the roles of synesthesia, FOXP2 genes, and brain language processing in enhancing interpreting skills. Keywords: simultaneous interpreting, neurolinguistics, brain functions, language processing, genes, synesthesia. The process of translating spoken language into another language in real time, usually while the speaker is still speaking, is known as simultaneous interpreting (SI). This method is frequently employed in multilingual gatherings, conferences, and international meetings. In order to facilitate smooth communication between participants who speak various languages, the translator listens to the speaker through headphones and delivers the message in the target language virtually instantly. SI is a cognitive task, with a high cognitive load, which may also represent an interesting field of research for neurolinguists (Fabbro & Gran, 1997). Neurolinguistics is the study of how language is processed in the brain. It offers information on how the brain handles different languages, which can assist interpreters in creating cognitive load management plans. The fields of simultaneous translation and neurolinguistics cross in a number of ways. For example, these domains overlap in areas like the study of neural mechanisms, the function of working memory, the dynamics of bilingualism, and the comprehension of how the brain processes language. A sophisticated network of brain areas processes language, allowing for the integration, production, and comprehension of linguistic information. One of the most important regions is Broca's area, which is normally located in the posterior region of the frontal gyrus on the left frontal lobe. This area is essential for grammatical processing and language production, aiding in the construction of sentences and speech articulation. Another significant region is Wernicke's area, which is situated in the posterior region of the superior temporal gyrus in the left temporal lobe. Understanding spoken and written language is made possible by this region, which also processes incoming auditory information. And the damage of these brain areas ~ 189 ~ “Global lingvistika: yangi yondashuvlar va tadqiqotlar” mavzusidagi xalqaro ilmiy-amaliy anjuman may cause aphasia which means a language disorder caused by damage to parts of the brain that control speech and understanding of language ( Johns Hopkins). Picture 1. Language processing in the brain. However, the brain must coordinate the respective brain regions while managing and switching between two different linguistic systems in order to process multiple languages. For example, in order to comprehend and generate speech in real-time during SI, the brain must perform parallel processing, engaging both the source and target language regions at the same time. In order to prioritize the most important information and eliminate distractions, the brain may also use executive processes including inhibition and selective attention. This enables interpreters to accurately and efficiently process numerous languages under time constraints. People who are bilingual frequently transition between languages during conversations, a practice known as "code-switching." When the environment, speaker, or topic changes, the brain may swiftly access and transition between the two language systems. When processing many languages, the brain pulls words from a mental lexicon that includes terms from every language that is known to exist. This mental lexicon is modified by context, frequency of use, and linguistic proficiency. Cognitive control, or the ability to focus attention and block out distractions from one language while using another, is necessary for managing several languages. In order to prioritize important information and eliminate distractions, executive functions like inhibition and selective attention are also triggered, allowing interpreters to process many languages accurately and quickly under time pressure. Understanding the neurological mechanisms of simultaneous translation can be gained by examining which parts of the brain are active during this process. Brain activity during translation activities can be observed using methods such as fMRI or EEG. According to researches, the brain alternates between processing the source language in regions such as Wernicke's area (which is in charge of language comprehension) and Broca's area (which is in charge of language production) and processing the target language in corresponding regions of the cerebral cortex during ~ 190 ~ “Global lingvistika: yangi yondashuvlar va tadqiqotlar” mavzusidagi xalqaro ilmiy-amaliy anjuman simultaneous interpretation. Additionally, to integrate information from many languages, other parts of the frontal and temporal lobes—like the angular gyrus—are activated. The intricate process of switching necessitates resource management and coordination in o