I'm always amazed and envious when I read an article written by a person whose English is their second language. So many people are skilled in not only speaking a second or third language, but writing that way. Some even write poetry in a language that isn't their mother tongue. My hearty congratulations goes to them all.
It seems the benefits of speaking multiple languages extend past just having access to different words, concepts, metaphors, and frames.
After 15 years of research it appears that bilinguals have access to better job prospects, as well as receiving a cognitive boost and protection against dementia. New research shows that they can also view the world in different ways depending on the specific language they are operating in.
For instance, an English-speaking German looks at a picture of a woman outside a shop. In German they would say it was a picture of a woman walking toward the supermarket. They'd say the same thing in English. An English-speaking person would say it's a picture of a woman walking. The German language includes the woman's intent.
It seems the benefits of speaking multiple languages extend past just having access to different words, concepts, metaphors, and frames.
After 15 years of research it appears that bilinguals have access to better job prospects, as well as receiving a cognitive boost and protection against dementia. New research shows that they can also view the world in different ways depending on the specific language they are operating in.
For instance, an English-speaking German looks at a picture of a woman outside a shop. In German they would say it was a picture of a woman walking toward the supermarket. They'd say the same thing in English. An English-speaking person would say it's a picture of a woman walking. The German language includes the woman's intent.
Going from one language to the other works like brain training, pushing your brain to be flexible. Just as regular exercise gives your body some biological benefits, mentally controlling two or more languages gives your brain cognitive benefits. This mental flexibility pays big dividends especially later in life. The onset of age-related degenerative disorders such as dementia or Alzheimer’s are delayed in bilinguals by up to five years.
One theory on why this might be shows an increased psychological distance when speaking a language that isn’t your mother tongue. Researchers think subjects had less of an emotional reaction to things heard in their second (or third, or fourth) language, perhaps allowing for a more levelheaded decision.
Whatever the reason, speaking a second language helps the brain remain flexible.
I attended classes at school in the 50s, but didn't learn anything but the basics of French and Latin. Too busy fantasizing about my future life—silly girl. I love the sound of spoken French. I wonder if I've left it too late to learn a bit more.
How many languages do you speak?
One theory on why this might be shows an increased psychological distance when speaking a language that isn’t your mother tongue. Researchers think subjects had less of an emotional reaction to things heard in their second (or third, or fourth) language, perhaps allowing for a more levelheaded decision.
Whatever the reason, speaking a second language helps the brain remain flexible.
I attended classes at school in the 50s, but didn't learn anything but the basics of French and Latin. Too busy fantasizing about my future life—silly girl. I love the sound of spoken French. I wonder if I've left it too late to learn a bit more.
How many languages do you speak?
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