The Benefits of Bilingualism
Have you ever wished you could speak another language? Maybe two? Aside from its practical implications, a series of recent studies have demonstrated that learning and using two or more languages may report important benefits to our mental health.
The ability to speak fluently two or more languages is one that has always intrigued educators, neurologists, psychologists and scientists through the ages.
Beyond the simple act of understanding and expressing oneself in different languages, this skill has always been shrouded in mystery, awe, myth and misunderstanding.
For centuries, teaching children two or more languages was strongly discouraged, in the belief that it led to schizophrenia and mental retardation.
For centuries, teaching children two or more languages was strongly discouraged, in the belief that it led to schizophrenia and mental retardation.
Even after a 1960's study that highlighted the benefits of teaching foreign languages to children, the general belief remained that introducing children to two different languages simultaneously hindered their development and induced serious cognitive problems, such a speech impediments and dyslexia.
Fortunately, new studies using the latest in modern technology have rendered a more benign and accurate light on the benefits of bilingualism, specially from an early age.
Humans possess the distinctive ability to create and articulate words to express our emotions, thoughts, abstract concepts and ideas.
Fortunately, new studies using the latest in modern technology have rendered a more benign and accurate light on the benefits of bilingualism, specially from an early age.
Humans possess the distinctive ability to create and articulate words to express our emotions, thoughts, abstract concepts and ideas.
In addition, we are also capable of learning other languages in order to communicate across cultural divides, a skill developed in our brains through millennia of cross-cultural exchange: being able to communicate in several languages helped us to adapt, survive and prosper. In fact, still does.
In our rapidly globalizing world, knowing more than one language is a necessity, and one that can bring multiple benefits to our well-being over the years.
In our rapidly globalizing world, knowing more than one language is a necessity, and one that can bring multiple benefits to our well-being over the years.
But, what is exactly being bilingual?
Although the term is ample, and most scientists accept a broad definition for the sake of their studies, in the strict sense of the word, ‘bilingual’ does not simply mean the knowledge of two languages.
Bilingualism implies understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in two different languages with equal dexterity and depth of knowledge, not just in the verbal and grammatical context, but also in the nuances of meaning and cultural conventions of each. Most of these skills are learned through early contact with the language, usually in a familiar setting such as home or school.
Those who speak a mother language and have a notion of a second or third language may have a level of bilingualism, but do not qualify as fully bilingual.
Although the term is ample, and most scientists accept a broad definition for the sake of their studies, in the strict sense of the word, ‘bilingual’ does not simply mean the knowledge of two languages.
Bilingualism implies understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in two different languages with equal dexterity and depth of knowledge, not just in the verbal and grammatical context, but also in the nuances of meaning and cultural conventions of each. Most of these skills are learned through early contact with the language, usually in a familiar setting such as home or school.
Those who speak a mother language and have a notion of a second or third language may have a level of bilingualism, but do not qualify as fully bilingual.
And yet, even those who acquire a second language later in life report benefits from this useful mental jog.
In the past two decades, the study of bilingualism and its benefits have gained increased interest in the scientific community.
In the past two decades, the study of bilingualism and its benefits have gained increased interest in the scientific community.
One of the most reputed specialists in the field, Dr. Ellen Byalistok, has carried out several studies over the years with different groups of individuals, and has achieved interesting results regarding the benefits of bilingualism in cognitive development.
Her results show that, compared to monolinguals, bilingual individuals possess greater ability to stay focused and solve problems, both verbal and non-verbal. In turn, this provides them with greater mental flexibility and make them better at multitasking.
Other researchers of bilingualism have also concluded that bilingual individuals possess a greater level of attention, memory and sharper cognitive skills, aside from improved linguistic, verbal and auditory skills than their monolingual peers.
In fact, the benefits of commanding two different languages are so wide that scientists even coined the term "Bilingual Advantage" to resume them.
But can all of these benefits really be achieved simply by dominating two languages?
In general terms, neurologists locate speech and language processing on the left hemisphere in the brain cortex. However, new studies involving brain scans have found that, when using their language skills bilingual individuals activate the anterior cingular cortex (a deeper region in the brain, part of the executive system, which controls functions such as regulating blood pressure, attention allocation, decision making, impulse control, and emotions).
The attention allocation control provided by the executive system enables us to concentrate on one task, while blocking out competing information. This allows us to switch focus between tasks without getting confused (for instance, walking and talking at the same time).
The information of both languages is activated in the brain even when bilinguals use only one. For this reason, up until recently researchers thought that the ‘bilingual advantage’ resided in the ability to suppress one language while focusing on the other. This inhibition trained the brain to ignore distractions in other non-language contexts.
Her results show that, compared to monolinguals, bilingual individuals possess greater ability to stay focused and solve problems, both verbal and non-verbal. In turn, this provides them with greater mental flexibility and make them better at multitasking.
Other researchers of bilingualism have also concluded that bilingual individuals possess a greater level of attention, memory and sharper cognitive skills, aside from improved linguistic, verbal and auditory skills than their monolingual peers.
In fact, the benefits of commanding two different languages are so wide that scientists even coined the term "Bilingual Advantage" to resume them.
But can all of these benefits really be achieved simply by dominating two languages?
In general terms, neurologists locate speech and language processing on the left hemisphere in the brain cortex. However, new studies involving brain scans have found that, when using their language skills bilingual individuals activate the anterior cingular cortex (a deeper region in the brain, part of the executive system, which controls functions such as regulating blood pressure, attention allocation, decision making, impulse control, and emotions).
The attention allocation control provided by the executive system enables us to concentrate on one task, while blocking out competing information. This allows us to switch focus between tasks without getting confused (for instance, walking and talking at the same time).
The information of both languages is activated in the brain even when bilinguals use only one. For this reason, up until recently researchers thought that the ‘bilingual advantage’ resided in the ability to suppress one language while focusing on the other. This inhibition trained the brain to ignore distractions in other non-language contexts.
But new studies have shown that bilinguals outperform monolinguals even in cognitive tasks that do not require inhibition. This points to the possibility that the ‘bilingual advantage’ may be due to an increased ability to monitor the environment (a function also regulated by the Executive System).
According to studies undertaken by the Professor of Linguistics and English Language at Lancaster University, Panos Athanasopoulos, bilinguals outperform monolinguals in a range of cognitive and social tasks, from verbal/non-verbal tests to how well they can empathize with others, being faster and more accurate than monolinguals.
According to studies undertaken by the Professor of Linguistics and English Language at Lancaster University, Panos Athanasopoulos, bilinguals outperform monolinguals in a range of cognitive and social tasks, from verbal/non-verbal tests to how well they can empathize with others, being faster and more accurate than monolinguals.
The reason for this may reside in that their executive systems are organized differently than in monolinguals.
In this same line, neuropsychologist Jubin Abutalebi at the University of San Raffaele in Milan determined that it is possible to distinguish bilingual people from monolinguals simply by looking at their brain scans: their anterior cingulate cortex have significantly more gray matter than monolinguals, due to the extra exercise they are regularly exposed to.
As further evidence to how bilingualism improves the brain, scientists have also found that, in addition to their heightened linguistic ability, bilinguals would also outperform monolinguals in spatial and memory tasks, both functions coordinated by the executive system.
But perhaps one of the most important advantages of bilingualism is that it may help protect the brain in our later years.
In her studies, Doctor Byalistok found that people with a higher degree of bilingualism (those with higher proficiency of both languages) were more resistant than others to dementia and cognitive decay.
Although it did not prevent the onset of dementia, bilingualism delayed its effects significantly. The higher the level of language proficiency of the individual, the more years of protection it provided.
The reason for this, according to Dr. Byalistok, resides in the extra gray matter of bilingual brains, which compensate for the cognitive decay, as well as due to their reinforced executive system in the frontal lobe, which allows the brain to create and use alternative neural pathways.
However, she’s also quick to add that this protective effect depends on how often the individual uses his/her bilingual skill.
In this same line, neuropsychologist Jubin Abutalebi at the University of San Raffaele in Milan determined that it is possible to distinguish bilingual people from monolinguals simply by looking at their brain scans: their anterior cingulate cortex have significantly more gray matter than monolinguals, due to the extra exercise they are regularly exposed to.
As further evidence to how bilingualism improves the brain, scientists have also found that, in addition to their heightened linguistic ability, bilinguals would also outperform monolinguals in spatial and memory tasks, both functions coordinated by the executive system.
But perhaps one of the most important advantages of bilingualism is that it may help protect the brain in our later years.
In her studies, Doctor Byalistok found that people with a higher degree of bilingualism (those with higher proficiency of both languages) were more resistant than others to dementia and cognitive decay.
Although it did not prevent the onset of dementia, bilingualism delayed its effects significantly. The higher the level of language proficiency of the individual, the more years of protection it provided.
The reason for this, according to Dr. Byalistok, resides in the extra gray matter of bilingual brains, which compensate for the cognitive decay, as well as due to their reinforced executive system in the frontal lobe, which allows the brain to create and use alternative neural pathways.
However, she’s also quick to add that this protective effect depends on how often the individual uses his/her bilingual skill.
Just as it happens with the benefits of reading as protection from cognitive decay, in order to reap this benefit the individual must build this extra neural reserve through a lifetime of mental activity.
Reading, doing crosswords, playing a musical instrument and engage in social and physical activity keep us mentally fit, and recent studies have found that bilingualism can also offer protection after brain injury (such as that after a stroke), with a rate of cognitive recovery of 2 to 1 compared to monolinguals.
Scientists have established that the innate ability to learn languages start early in life and quickly vanishes with age. But, how early is 'too early' to start learning another language?
Parents may be wary of causing confusion and induce delays in the cognitive development of their children by imposing the use of two different languages from infancy.
Reading, doing crosswords, playing a musical instrument and engage in social and physical activity keep us mentally fit, and recent studies have found that bilingualism can also offer protection after brain injury (such as that after a stroke), with a rate of cognitive recovery of 2 to 1 compared to monolinguals.
Scientists have established that the innate ability to learn languages start early in life and quickly vanishes with age. But, how early is 'too early' to start learning another language?
Parents may be wary of causing confusion and induce delays in the cognitive development of their children by imposing the use of two different languages from infancy.
However, a joint research of French and Canadian scientists found that bilingual children as young as 2 years old already exhibit important cognitive benefits thanks to this double language exposure.
According to Dr. Diane Poulin-Dubois in a paper published in the ‘Journal of Experimental Child Psychology’, even at this early age children had already acquired a level of vocabulary in both languages, being able to switch between them with ease.
According to Dr. Diane Poulin-Dubois in a paper published in the ‘Journal of Experimental Child Psychology’, even at this early age children had already acquired a level of vocabulary in both languages, being able to switch between them with ease.
In addition, compared to monolingual children, bilingual children seemed more attentive, which seems to support the results of other studies in this area.
However, some researchers do not agree with these conclusions.
One of the most prominent critics of the "Bilingual Advantage", Dr. Kenneth R. Paap at the San Francisco State University, published a paper in 2013 denying its existence, citing lack of hard evidence and the impossibility to replicate the results found in the initial studies.
However, some researchers do not agree with these conclusions.
One of the most prominent critics of the "Bilingual Advantage", Dr. Kenneth R. Paap at the San Francisco State University, published a paper in 2013 denying its existence, citing lack of hard evidence and the impossibility to replicate the results found in the initial studies.
Detractors of the bilingual hypothesis cite, among others, the comparison of monolingual and bilingual groups with differing degrees of education, cultural and socioeconomic background, all of which may have tilted the test results in favour of the bilingual groups.
Doctor Byalistok refutes these claims, citing the evidence shown in brain scan results: when the bilingual subjects studied switched between languages, their brain scan showed activation in the anterior cingulate cortex in a way that monolinguals did not.
Doctor Byalistok refutes these claims, citing the evidence shown in brain scan results: when the bilingual subjects studied switched between languages, their brain scan showed activation in the anterior cingulate cortex in a way that monolinguals did not.
This would be proof that acquiring two languages at an early age would organize these parts of the brain differently in bilingual individuals.
Beyond these scientific arguments, there are added personal benefits of bilingualism that are as concrete as scientific evidence and report unmeasurable personal value. Among these intangible benefits are:
* Knowing different languages help you learn other languages. Not only because the brain already possesses a more refined toolkit for discerning words and sounds, but because each language the individual learns provides him/her with additional clues to instinctively create associations and infer the rules of additional languages.
* Being able to speak in different languages allows you to communicate with people of different cultures, travel abroad more widely and more confidently, and even be of help to others.
* Learning a language implies becoming familiar with a different culture, which in turn provides a wider perspective of the world conductive to better understanding and open-mindedness, fostering tolerance towards other races and cultures.
* Having the ability to understand other languages allows the access to information directly from the source, providing instant access to data and news published in other languages without the need of translations. Even in our high-tech world of instant news and digital translators, having the joker card of another language is like getting a ‘members only’ pass for life.
* Being able to speak a second language fluently improves the individual’s job prospects and increases his/her social mobility.
Some of the few disadvantages of bilingualism include having an accent in one or both languages, mixing up some grammar, having more ‘tip-of-the-tongue" moments than monolinguals, ‘borrowing’ from each language, and, in some cases, struggling with biculturalism (not feeling fully part of one culture or another).
Beyond these scientific arguments, there are added personal benefits of bilingualism that are as concrete as scientific evidence and report unmeasurable personal value. Among these intangible benefits are:
* Knowing different languages help you learn other languages. Not only because the brain already possesses a more refined toolkit for discerning words and sounds, but because each language the individual learns provides him/her with additional clues to instinctively create associations and infer the rules of additional languages.
* Being able to speak in different languages allows you to communicate with people of different cultures, travel abroad more widely and more confidently, and even be of help to others.
* Learning a language implies becoming familiar with a different culture, which in turn provides a wider perspective of the world conductive to better understanding and open-mindedness, fostering tolerance towards other races and cultures.
* Having the ability to understand other languages allows the access to information directly from the source, providing instant access to data and news published in other languages without the need of translations. Even in our high-tech world of instant news and digital translators, having the joker card of another language is like getting a ‘members only’ pass for life.
* Being able to speak a second language fluently improves the individual’s job prospects and increases his/her social mobility.
Some of the few disadvantages of bilingualism include having an accent in one or both languages, mixing up some grammar, having more ‘tip-of-the-tongue" moments than monolinguals, ‘borrowing’ from each language, and, in some cases, struggling with biculturalism (not feeling fully part of one culture or another).
However, the benefits of knowing a second language surpass by far its disadvantages.
Knowing more than one language does mean more mental work - it requires increased verbal capacity and more memory effort, as well as additional attention, but all of these strengthen the brain and may remain permanent skills if the person uses both languages continuously.
At the same time, although introducing a foreign language in toddlers may cause some delay in the acquisition of reading and writing skills (specially when having to deal with different alphabets), and may slow verbalization (specially if the child is naturally shy), the brain of children are extremely flexible and quick to compensate, providing them a lifetime of benefits in return.
Learning a new language is not only a great way to exercise the brain, but also a mental health insurance for your golden years and a useful tool to open doors to a wider world of understanding, new ideas and enrichment into your life.
To read Dr. Byalistok’s study on the benefits of bilingualism, click here:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/cd/19_1_inpress/Bialystok_final.pdf?lan=ayajzqechdlh
To read the abstract of Dr. Paap’s investigation click here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010028513000029
Sources: Psychology Today, New York Times, BBC Future, Time Magazine, Omniglot, The Atlantic, Muy Interesante, Wikipedia.
Knowing more than one language does mean more mental work - it requires increased verbal capacity and more memory effort, as well as additional attention, but all of these strengthen the brain and may remain permanent skills if the person uses both languages continuously.
At the same time, although introducing a foreign language in toddlers may cause some delay in the acquisition of reading and writing skills (specially when having to deal with different alphabets), and may slow verbalization (specially if the child is naturally shy), the brain of children are extremely flexible and quick to compensate, providing them a lifetime of benefits in return.
Learning a new language is not only a great way to exercise the brain, but also a mental health insurance for your golden years and a useful tool to open doors to a wider world of understanding, new ideas and enrichment into your life.
To Learn More...
To read Dr. Byalistok’s study on the benefits of bilingualism, click here:
https://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/cd/19_1_inpress/Bialystok_final.pdf?lan=ayajzqechdlh
To read the abstract of Dr. Paap’s investigation click here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010028513000029
Sources: Psychology Today, New York Times, BBC Future, Time Magazine, Omniglot, The Atlantic, Muy Interesante, Wikipedia.
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