Chen Zen-Yong, Cowell Patricia E, Varley Rosemary, Wang Yi-Ching
Department of Neurology, Lotong St Mary's Hospital, I-Lan, Taiwan.
J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2009 May;31(4):385-91. doi: 10.1080/13803390802195195.
This cross-language study of working memory compared 30 English speakers and 30 Mandarin Chinese speakers on backward and forward digit and spatial span. Mandarin speakers had greater spans on forward digit and spatial span than did English speakers. Effects were most significant for digit span where the mean score of the English speakers was equivalent to the lowest individual score from Mandarin speakers. Shorter articulation time for digits in spoken Mandarin may account for higher digit spans than those observed in English. The current study indicates that clinical applications of working memory tests should consider cross-language effects, particularly in the evaluation of verbal working memory deficits.
这项关于工作记忆的跨语言研究比较了30名说英语者和30名说汉语者在顺背和倒背数字广度以及空间广度方面的表现。说汉语者在顺背数字广度和空间广度方面比说英语者表现更好。这种差异在数字广度上最为显著，说英语者的平均得分相当于说汉语者中得分最低的个体分数。汉语中数字发音时间较短可能是说汉语者数字广度高于说英语者的原因。当前研究表明，工作记忆测试的临床应用应考虑跨语言效应，尤其是在评估言语工作记忆缺陷时。
