Translation in all its forms, including that of written, spoken, and signed languages, is intrinsically linked to the bilingual condition. Anyone who translates must have at least some bilingual proficiency and anyone with at least some bilingual proficiency will translate, albeit not professionally. It is not surprising, therefore, that several experimental paradigms developed to further our understanding of bi- or multilingualism are based on translation tasks. As a matter of fact, a not inconsequential body of research into bilingualism is based on experiments carried out on translators and interpreters, an arguably unique cohort of bilinguals. 

But what underlying processes enable bilinguals to perform what has been referred to as the most complex language task of which the human mind is capable? And what factors condition these processes? Also, is there an interpreter advantage over untrained bilinguals much like there seems to be a bilingual advantage over monolinguals?

In my presentation I will address these questions in an attempt at highlighting how the complex task of oral language translation can afford us a window into the bilingual mind.