Translation of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test into IsiXhosa : its application and comparison to existing norms

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:In the present study the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) is translated intoIsiXhosa, applied in either English or IsiXhosa, and results are compared to the norms ofWiens, McMinn and Crossen (1988). The aim is to provide a neuropsychological test toassess an IsiXhosa-speaking population with 15 or more years of education. It is also todetermine the feasibility of assessing people in a second language if they have highproficiency in that second language, or to consider new norms for a South Africanpopulation. Participants were 62 healthy male and female IsiXhosa and English homelanguage speaking teachers, aged between 30 and 39 years, selected from schools in theEastern Cape. The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and the instructions of the ReyComplex Figure are translated into IsiXhosa, and these are applied onto 3 subgroups:English in their home language; IsiXhosa in their home language; IsiXhosa in a SecondLanguage, English. When the home languages groups are compared, the English homelanguage group faired better on some trials than the IsiXhosa home language group.Between the Home Languages and the Second Language group, the former did better onsome trials. However, most trials were compatible between these groups. When resultsfrom this study were compared to norms of Wiens et al. (1988), the South Africanpopulation achieved higher scores on most trials. They seemed to learn more words,make fewer errors and repetitions, while the norm group recalled more words on Trial 1and the Percentage Recall Trial (with an exception to the Home languages group). Thecompatibility of groups and the better South African results led to the conclusion thatassessments might be done in the second language - English, if the person is proficient,and meets the criteria for the current study population.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University