Language and cultural interference influence on inhibition of cognitive processes in simultaneous interpreting classes

This paper analyzes the impact of language and cultural interference on the inhibition of cognitive processes during simultaneous interpreting with the participation of bilingual students studying at the Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv in Ukraine. This study investigates how language interference as a negative language contact phenomenon inhibits the interpreter’s control of their source language while interpreting into the target language. Verbally competent B2-C2 English students were offered culturally colored interpretive speeches for two hours daily five times a week for two semesters. At first, the participants showed a 50% loss of culture-specific details and a 10-15% loss of inhibition control because source language cross-contamination could not be inhibited. However, using the inhibition techniques of anticipation, error analysis, training inhibition, and other cognitive strategies, the third month showed a significant improvement in cultural retention by 25-34% and inhibition control by 40% at the maximum. At the end of this experiment, the participants managed to suppress 80% of language cross-contamination, which proved the strategies efficient in the training program. Bilingual interpreters also require cognitive control and competency, and this presents both training and supervision management challenges when dealing with language interference. Keywords: bilingualism, cognitive inhibition, interpreter training, language interference, simultaneous interpreting