How Does Language Change Your Brain?

Summary

This episode of 'Test-Tube Plus' explores how learning a new language can physically grow the brain and enhance cognitive function. Studies reveal that bilingual young adults perform better on attention and concentration tests, and learning a second language early can delay the onset of Alzheimer's. The script delves into how language influences thought processes and perception, with examples from various languages. It also discusses the ease of learning languages based on their linguistic relationship to English and the unique challenges posed by tonal languages like Mandarin.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Learning a new language can physically increase the size of specific brain areas as shown by MRI scans from a study at the Swedish Armed Forces interpreter Academy.
• 📈 Bilingual young adults perform better on attention and concentration tests compared to those who speak only one language, according to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.
• 👴 Learning a second language at an early age can slow down brain aging and delay Alzheimer's by over four years, as indicated by a longitudinal study in the annals of Neurology.
• 🌐 Language processing in the brain is similar to predictive text, where the brain anticipates and forms words based on sequential sounds it receives.
• 🌍 Language does not determine what you think, but it can influence how you think about things, as suggested by Roman Jakobson, a renowned linguist.
• 🗣 The gender of words in different languages can affect how people perceive and describe them, as demonstrated by a study involving French and Spanish speakers.
• 🧭 Indigenous tribes that use cardinal directions instead of left and right tend to have better spatial orientation due to the consistency of their language.
• 🎨 Speakers of languages with more words for different shades of a color may physically see more colors, as suggested by theories on language and perception.
• 🏫 English speakers find it easier to learn languages that are Germanic or Latin-based due to shared linguistic roots, but languages like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Arabic are more challenging due to the lack of common origins.
• 📚 The Foreign Service Institute categorizes languages based on ease of learning for English speakers, with some languages requiring as little as 600 hours of study and others up to 2200 hours.
• 🎼 Speakers of tonal languages may have advantages in understanding and playing musical instruments due to their inherent pitch and tone understanding, as shown in a study with Cantonese speakers.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the 'Test-Tube Plus' show?

The main topic of the 'Test-Tube Plus' show is to break down big topics into smaller, more understandable pieces. In this specific episode, the focus is on how learning a new language can literally make your brain bigger.

How does learning a new language affect the size of the brain according to the Swedish Armed Forces interpreter Academy study?

The study found that when students were tasked with learning a language at a fast rate, MRI scans showed that specific parts of their brains developed in size, indicating that learning a language can cause the brain to grow.

What cognitive benefits does learning a new language provide, as mentioned in the script?

Learning a new language significantly improves cognitive function. Young adults proficient in two languages performed better on attention tests and had better concentration compared to those who spoke only one language.

What did the longitudinal study by the American Neurological Association find regarding the effects of learning a second language at an early age?

The study found that learning a second language at an early age leads to better cognitive function at an older age, slowing down brain aging and delaying Alzheimer's by more than four years.

How does the brain process language when hearing a word?

The brain processes language by predicting the rest of the word in a sequential order, similar to how Google autocomplete works, by starting to put words together based on the initial sounds it hears.

What is the concept of 'language determining how you think about things' as discussed in the script?

The concept suggests that while language doesn't determine what you think, it can influence how you think about things. For example, the gender of nouns in different languages can affect how people perceive objects.

How does the gender of a word in different languages influence perception as per the script?

The gender of a word in different languages can influence perception by ascribing certain characteristics to objects based on their grammatical gender. For instance, the word 'fork' is feminine in French and masculine in Spanish, which can affect how people describe it.

What is the impact of having more words for specific concepts on perception, as mentioned in the script?

Having more words for specific concepts, like different shades of blue in Russian, can enhance the ability to visually discriminate those concepts. This can also apply to people in professions that require detailed color descriptions, suggesting they may physically see more nuances in color.

According to the Foreign Service Institute, what is the easiest language for an English speaker to learn and why?

The easiest languages for an English speaker to learn are Afrikaans, Danish, Dutch, and French, which are in category 1. These languages are easier because they are either Germanic or Latin-based, sharing origins with English.

Why are languages like Mandarin, Arabic, Japanese, and Korean considered difficult for English speakers to learn?

These languages are considered difficult for English speakers because they do not share any origin with English. They also have unique features such as tonal languages, where different pitches can change the meaning of words, which is not a feature of English.

What advantage do tonal language speakers have when learning musical instruments, as suggested by the script?

Tonal language speakers, such as Cantonese speakers, have a distinct advantage when learning musical instruments due to their inherent pitch and tone understanding, which is similar to that of trained musicians, making it easier for them to grasp musical concepts.