Event-related EEG theta and alpha band oscillatory responses during language translation.

Full Abstract

Recent investigations on oscillatory EEG dynamics by means of event-related synchronisation and desynchronisation (ERS/ERD) suggest that first language semantic information processing is primarily reflected in the theta (4-7 Hz) and alpha (7-13 Hz) frequency bands. In this pilot study we explore whether similar ERS/ERD patterns emerge during language translation and which frequency bands sensitively respond to the difficulty of translation and the translation success. Thirteen female students of translation and interpreting were visually presented high and low frequency English words that had to be translated into German. Time-frequency representations of ERS/ERD between 2 and 50 Hz displayed a theta ERS response about 200-600 ms after word presentation, a beta ERD from about 400 ms, and alpha ERS and ERD patterns about 200-400 ms after word presentation. Statistical analyses of the ERS/ERD data in the theta (4-7 Hz), two alpha frequency bands (7-10 Hz and 10-13 Hz), and a beta band (20-30 Hz) predominantly revealed:
(a) higher parietal theta ERS and frontal upper alpha ERD during the translation of low as compared to high frequency words, and (b) generally stronger ERD in the lower alpha band and larger left-hemispheric upper alpha ERD for successfully translated in contrast to not translated low frequency words. These findings provide first evidence of the sensitivity of the theta and alpha ERS/ERD measure to lexical-semantic processes involved in language translation.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Grabner, Roland H (RH); Brunner, Clemens (C); Leeb, Robert (R); Neuper, Christa (C); Pfurtscheller, Gert (G);

Affiliation: Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Universitaetsplatz 2/III; A-8010 Graz, Austria. ro.grabner(-atsign-)uni-graz.at

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Brain research bulletin (Brain Res Bull), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Apr; vol 72 (issue 1) : pp 57-65

Dates: Created 2007/02/16; Completed 2007/05/01;

PMID: 17303508, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.