How bilingualism can pump your brain

What are the advantages of bilingualism?

Bilingualism as determines its mark - is the use of at least two languages ​​in daily life.

Bilingual switches between these languages ​​subconsciously and automatically. Therefore, he has to constantly monitor their impact on each other to a certain time to choose the right word in the right language.

It's the same thing as trying to perform some action in the conditions of noise and distractions. For example, to hear something in a noisy environment or solve the puzzle to attention. To do this, you need to ignore irrelevant information and focus on what is important.

For the ability to direct their attention and manage the responsible executive functions of the brain. A person using a second language, these functions are directly and constantly evolving - allowing him cognitive flexibility.

What happens in the brain?

The executive functions of the brain - the most complex and at the same time the most "human" that distinguish us from the apes and other animals. They are bound by the standards of the new evolution of the brain parts:

• prefrontal cortex, responsible for a huge number of cognitive functions;
• supramarginal Brains, responsible for communication of words and values;
• anterior cingulate cortex, which is responsible for learning and decision-making.

studies showNeuroanatomical Evidence in Support of the Bilingual Advantage TheoryThat knowledge of two languages ​​changes the structure of these brain regions. Bilingualism also increases the volume of the gray matter.

Our brain is made up of cells called neurons. Each of them has a small branched processes - dendrites. The number of these cell bodies and dendrites due to the amount of gray matter in the brain.

When learning a foreign language creates new neurons and connections between them, as a result of the gray matter becomes denser. This health indicator of the brain.

Bilingualism has a positive effect on the white matter, responsible for the speed of neural responses. It consists of axon bundles pulses conductors, which are covered by myelin - a fatty substance.

white substance is gradually degraded in the process of human aging. But research showsEffects of bilingualism on white matter integrity in older adultsThat the use of two languages ​​prevents this: in a bilingual activated more neurons and connections between them become stronger.

It does not harm the simultaneous study of two languages ​​to children?

This myth of bilingualism goes back to research conducted in the US and the UK since the first and second world wars. Their findings were erroneous due to the fact that they participated refugee children, orphans, and even those who have been in the concentration camps.

The child could get seriously injured, and then take part in the study, which tested his oral language skills. Not surprisingly, the result was bad.

Researchers not associated with low scores PTSD. They hardly knew what it was, and the accused throughout the bilingualism.

Only in the 1960s, when Elizabeth Peel and Wallace Lambert published a really important studyThe relation of bilingualism to intelligenceAfter which attitudes began to change.

The results showed that bilingual children not only does not have a developmental delay or mental retardation, but on the contrary: the possession of several languages ​​gives them an advantage.

Perhaps their conclusions were exaggerated or a little misinterpreted. Not every bilingual brains healthier than in monolinguals. We are talking about the general trends in the population level. Bilingualism in children affected by this, but not always.

And in 20 years, for example, no benefits can not be. This is due to the fact that in childhood the brain continues to develop, and with the legal age reaches its peak.

In addition to the features in the executive functions of bilinguals, and children and adults, features a metalinguistic consciousness - the ability to think of language as a set of abstract units and relationships.

For example, take the letter "n." In English, it goes something like [x] in Russian - as a [n], and in the Greek at all the vowel [u]. The reason for this can not be found. And bilinguals understand it's easier than someone who knows only one language.

How to be parents raising bilingual?

be patient. Children who are learning two languages, we have a much more difficult: they have to remember two sets of words and sounds.

Sometimes the child can be difficult to understand why he needs a second language. And here it is important to help him realize the practical value, as far as possible by immersing the child in the language environment.

Another problem, which often worries parents - a mixture of the two languages. However, it is important to understand that this is an absolutely normal part of the process of learning and experience is not necessary.

The different language learning in adulthood and childhood?

For a long time it was thought that the only way to learn to speak a foreign language - to begin its development as early as possible, since to do so in adulthood is almost impossible.

We now know that many adults begin learn languages, and they have all turns out well. This prompted researchers to revise their theory.

They found that the difference between the study of language in children and adults due to two factors - brain plasticity and learning conditions.

First, the child brain is more flexible and it is easier to perceive new information. With age, this property is lost.

Second, adults usually go to a language course in the evening after a long day at work, the children were constantly in the training environment - in school, at home, for extra classes.

But here, all individually: sometimes under the same conditions for one person all given easily, while others come to work.

What distinguishes bilingual brain in old age?

After 25 years, the human brain gradually loses its function in terms of overall performance, storage and information processing speed.

In old age the efficiency of the brain begins to decline sharply. A knowledge of foreign languages ​​makesCognitive control, cognitive reserve, and memory in the aging bilingual brain this recession more gradual and slow.

The bilingual brain is able to independently replace lost as a result of injury or illness neural connections that protects a person from memory loss and deterioration of mental abilities.

Can the study of language in adulthood protect against Alzheimer's disease?

Now scientists are conducting studies in which people from 65 years of teaching a foreign language, in order to determine whether there is a benefit from it. Preliminary results are encouragingForeign language training as cognitive therapy for age-related cognitive decline: a hypothesis for future researchThey show that even a later language learning has a positive effect on mental abilities.

The study and use of non-native language - a complex process that involves a lot of levels. We have to take account of sounds, syllables, words, grammar, syntax. This is a real challenge for most areas of the brain.

Among them are those where an aging person has worsened functions. Therefore, learning a second language can be called a good workout that provides a healthy brain aging.

According to research, development dementia bilinguals beginsCognitive control, cognitive reserve, and memory in the aging bilingual brain an average of four years later than in monolinguals. And scientists attribute this to it with positive changes in gray and white matter in the brain.

Now experts are trying to figure out what level of language skills necessary for positive changes in the brain, and it is important to know, what kind of language you are learning.