Can You Wake Up Fluent in a Foreign Language?
Summary
TLDRThis intriguing script delves into the fascinating phenomenon of individuals who wake up unexpectedly fluent in a foreign language or speaking with an unfamiliar accent after suffering brain injuries or undergoing medical procedures. It presents numerous real-life stories of people from around the world who have experienced such bewildering linguistic transformations. The script then unveils the scientific explanations behind these occurrences, shedding light on conditions like bilingual aphasia and foreign accent syndrome, where the brain rewires itself to prioritize a previously learned language or alters speech patterns, leading to perceived accents. The narrative is laced with humor and suspense, leaving viewers pondering the implications and possible advantages of inadvertently acquiring linguistic abilities in such extraordinary circumstances.
Takeaways
- 😮 Some people have woken up speaking a foreign language or with a different accent after an injury, coma, or medical procedure involving the brain.
- 🧠 This phenomenon of suddenly gaining fluency in a previously learned language is called bilingual aphasia, where the brain relies on the undamaged language center.
- 🗣️ Developing a foreign accent after brain trauma is known as foreign accent syndrome, caused by impairment in the brain's control over speech melody and rhythm.
- 🌐 These linguistic changes often occur when the native language center is damaged, and the brain compensates by utilizing another language or accent.
- 💫 The newly acquired language or accent skills are often spoken with surprising fluency and confidence, as if they were the person's native tongue.
- 📖 Stories and personal experiences play a crucial role in language learning and memory retention.
- 🤔 The script raises intriguing questions about the implications of such linguistic changes, such as potential discrimination or employment issues.
- 🧪 The cases presented serve as clues to unravel the scientific explanations behind these fascinating linguistic phenomena.
- 👂 The script challenges the viewer to consider their preferences between losing their native language or accent.
- 🔍 An upcoming video promises to delve deeper into the potential consequences of having a "weird" accent in professional settings.
Q & A
What is the main topic discussed in the script?
-The script explores cases of people waking up with an unexpected ability to speak a foreign language or developing a foreign accent after a brain injury, coma, or medical procedure.
What condition is described for people who suddenly become fluent in a second language after a brain trauma?
-The condition is called bilingual aphasia, where the brain's damaged area that controls the native language is bypassed, allowing access to the previously learned second language.
What is foreign accent syndrome, and how does it relate to the cases discussed?
-Foreign accent syndrome is a rare speech disorder where brain damage causes mispronunciation of sounds, giving the impression that the person has acquired a foreign accent, even though they have not actually learned a new language.
What was the case with Ben, the Australian man who woke up speaking Mandarin?
-Ben had learned some basic Mandarin in high school, but the car accident he was in caused his brain to rely on and improve his Mandarin fluency while his English abilities were temporarily impaired.
How did Ben's experience with speaking Mandarin after the accident impact his life?
-Ben took the experience as a sign and pursued further Mandarin studies at the university level, eventually becoming fluent enough to appear on Chinese television.
What is the potential connection between language learning and sleep mentioned in the script?
-The script suggests that even for beginner language learners, the language they are learning may be absorbed subconsciously, and reading stories before bedtime could help the language sink in during sleep.
What is the implication of the script regarding discrimination against people with foreign accents?
-The script mentions cases of discrimination and rude behavior towards people who suddenly developed foreign accents, as they were perceived as foreign or brain-damaged.
What is the potential legal issue mentioned regarding having a foreign accent?
-The script raises the question of whether having a weird accent could potentially lead to someone being fired from their job, implying potential employment discrimination based on accent.
How does the script highlight the power of storytelling in language learning?
-The script emphasizes that stories are a powerful language learning tool because they aid in memorization and retention of new languages, and it mentions the host's obsession with the story learning method of language acquisition.
What is the purpose of including the joke about accents towards the end of the script?
-The joke about never hearing stories of someone waking up with a stereotypical American accent is used to lightheartedly point out the bias and assumptions people make about accents, leading into the scientific explanations provided in the script.
Outlines
🌍 The Mystery of Waking Up with a New Language or Accent
The video script introduces several people who woke up speaking a foreign language or with a different accent after accidents, injuries, or medical procedures. It highlights intriguing cases like an American woman who woke up with a Romanian-like accent after a dental visit, a British woman with multiple accents after being in the hospital, an Australian man who could only speak Mandarin Chinese after a car accident, and others who experienced similar phenomena. The script builds suspense by providing clues and teasing a scientific explanation, keeping the viewer engaged and curious.
😮 The Emotional Toll and Personal Struggles
This paragraph delves into the profound emotional impact and personal struggles faced by individuals who unexpectedly wake up with a new accent or language. It highlights the distress, discrimination, and societal treatment they endure, as well as the difficulties in adjusting to their new reality. The script includes emotional testimonies and real-life examples, such as the singer George Michael's experience with a West Country accent after a near-death experience. The paragraph emphasizes the human aspect of this phenomenon, making it relatable and thought-provoking.
🧠 The Scientific Explanation Behind the Phenomenon
This paragraph finally reveals the scientific explanations behind waking up with a new language or accent. It introduces the concept of bilingual aphasia, where an accident or injury damages the part of the brain responsible for the native language, causing the individual to resort to a second language they had previously learned. It also explains foreign accent syndrome, a speech disorder that alters the melody and rhythm of speech, making it sound like a foreign accent to others. The paragraph provides insights into the brain's ability to access and utilize language knowledge, even if it was previously subconscious or basic. It concludes with a teaser about an upcoming video addressing a related topic, maintaining the viewer's interest.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Foreign accent syndrome
💡Bilingual aphasia
💡Language acquisition
💡Inhibitions
💡Coma
💡Experimental drug
💡Discrimination
💡Story learning
💡Brain injury
💡Native language
Highlights
Karen, an American mom from Oregon, woke up with a Romanian-like accent after a dentist visit.
Emily from the UK developed multiple accents like French, Italian, Russian, and Polish after being in the hospital.
Ben, a young Australian, could only speak Mandarin Chinese after waking up from a coma caused by a car accident.
A 16-year-old American boy started speaking Spanish after a coma, despite only knowing a few words before.
Rory, an English footballer, woke up speaking French with a Normandy accent after being in a coma.
Sarah, a British woman, woke up with a Chinese accent after a severe migraine.
People with foreign accent syndrome mispronounce sounds due to brain injury, making them sound like they have a foreign accent.
Bilingual aphasia can cause improved fluency in a person's second language after brain injury damages their native language ability.
Ben's brain likely knew more Mandarin than he thought, which became accessible after his English was impaired.
People in these cases spoke their new language confidently, as they thought it was their native tongue.
Ben embraced his Mandarin fluency, taking a course and appearing on Chinese TV.
Even beginners may be absorbing a new language without realizing it, which could surface after brain injury.
The video poses the question of whether having a weird accent could get someone fired from their job.
The video promises to address the job termination question in an upcoming video.
The video teases an upcoming accent challenge for viewers.
Transcripts
what if I told you you could fall asleep
with zero language skills and wake up
fluent
Sante a dream come true well if you were
going for Swedish it might be more of a
nightmare perhaps you'd settle for a
sexy new accent well I found seven
people who woke up sounding foreign and
all I can say is be very careful what
you wish
for Karen is an American mom from Oregon
she went to the dentist and woke up a
little off kilter I suck your blood so I
did I V suck your blood now I don't know
what her dentist did open wide or what
he gave her but this is her real new
accent I went to sleep and when I woke
up I had this accent she's fully
American and has never fancied being
Romanian or whatever this is and she's
not the only one I can't speak foreign I
don't know any other language I just
sound it Emily's from the UK and she was
in hospital for 3 weeks when completely
mute and three whole months later I
started to talk and and now I have this
accent and it changes it's French it is
Italian and Russian sometimes it's a bit
polish did she say she has four accents
what is going on well you ain't seen
nothing
yet a few years ago a young Australian
called Ben was in a horrible car wreck
and he was in a coma for over a week
when he woke up he could only speak
Mandarin Chinese after waking up from
the coma I saw a Chinese looking nurse
because the first person I spoke to was
in Mandarin my intern monong became
Chinese he said to the nurse excuse me
nurse it really hurts here what happened
to me probably first 3 days three or so
days i' only speak Mandarin yep and he
even spoke Mandarin to his poor parents
gave them quite a fright too so he wrote
them a note in Chinese and got the nurse
to translate it after a few days he
started mixing English into his Mandarin
and then nobody could understand him but
eventually he could separate English
from Mandarin and this is Ben
now that is real no faking it but how is
this even possible it's all going to
make sense when we get to the science so
stay
tuned meanwhile did you hear about the
kid from Georgia well a 16-year-old
American boy got kicked in the head
while playing goalie for his football
team and after three days in a coma he
woke up speaking
Spanish before the accident all he knew
in Spanish was a few words but suddenly
he couldn't remember English at all and
Spanish just flowed from his mouth like
second nature the te says he believes he
subconsciously remember MERS Spanish
from listening to his friends and his
brother speak the language in the past
interesting little clue there and this
part is bizarre every time he tried to
speak English he'd have a seizure so why
are their brains rejecting
English Rory is also a footballer from
England this time and he got a severe
head injury from a crash and stayed in a
coma that actually looked like it was
going to be permanent it was very bad
but there's one scary detail in his
story Rory was staring death in the face
but he didn't know that his parents now
had to decide his fate they were offered
a new experimental drug that could save
his life but it hadn't yet worked on any
other patient experimental drugs well 2
weeks later English Rory woke up
speaking French to the nurse in a
Normandy accent Rory had an out of body
experience with his
ancestors bonjour apparently he spoke so
smoothly that the nurse who was French
asked his father which part of France he
was from he also thought that he was
Matthew mccon but that part's not my
problem all right all right all right so
how is any of this actually possible all
will be revealed but first what about
those people who remembered English but
forgot their own accent it's very
mysterious I hope you're Gathering Clues
and if you're enjoying this mystery
please like And subscribe and turn on
notifications because I have a lot more
language content up my
sleeve it wasn't until was in ambulance
on the way to the hospital actually say
are you aware of the way you speaking
and I say oh I sound like I have a and
she said no you sound like you can work
at a Chinese restant Sarah is a Brit
from Devon and she used to speak like
one but in 2009 she woke up with a
Chinese accent a British lady who her
whole life was like hello it's a bit of
a Whiffle isn't it like
that now says I have not had my
conversation voice over three years now
he can joke all he likes there's science
behind this phenomenon so what do you
think guys could there be a link between
waking up with a new accent and waking
up with a new language come on I think
we need more clues do we I pleas have l
in Te wake up where do you think she is
from I'd say probably Croatia or okay
it's interesting that you you perceive
it that the way cuz I'm actually
Australian oh okay I'm born uh Sydney
and Australia All My Life The Brain
still is working on in here still going
it's just that doesn't connected with
this bit this bit seems to have mind
over his own
sometimes Cindy's accent is from a
really bad seizure and the wrong
medication and Sarah well she had a
severe migraine before things went wonky
and the deeper you search the more
stories you find I started sounding
totally different when I heard my spell
speech the speech process in my head was
total different I say the word in the
way that I can speak it from my brain
through the speeech process movement of
jaw intonation tongue movement Etc if
that sound French to you then that sound
French to you what are your ears telling
you guys does she sound French to you
how about the others would you consider
those accents to be spoton now I know
you're wondering if they are faking it
and I don't blame you but listen to this
I could say what I wanted at a speed
that uh didn't uh sound like I wasn't
make sense it's very distressing to hear
that because from what we've been told
is that is very unlikely I ever returned
to that and that's it to me every time
nobody really understands what it's like
to to go from being accepted in your
local area you know and all of a sudden
everybody wants to treat you like your
death or your brain damaged or your
foreign I've had experience
discrimination I've experienced people
to be very rude I remember this happened
to the singer George Michael once and he
was pretty emotional about it he had a
near-death experience with pneumonia and
woke up with a West country accent it's
a True Story by the way if you wonder
why I share all these stories about
languages well it's because stories are
the secret to remembering things forever
like a new language for example stories
are a very powerful language learning
tool and that's why myself and the whole
Community here at story learning are
pretty obsessed with this method of
learning languages through story and if
you want to know more about how it works
just look for the link to my free story
learning kit in the description below go
and check it
out she was born and raised in Texas she
went to go get her teeth fixed and when
she woke up out of the gas she had a
British accent but every time it happens
it's always somebody waking up out of a
coma or out of the gas they've got like
an Irish or a British or a Scottish
accent but you never hear some story
about some dude over in England like
falling and hitting his head and then he
wakes up and he's like man me and my
mate
[Music]
Nigel we's walking our pet poodle Beef
Wellington dang it that dog didn't
wander right in front of me I fell and
Tripp and hit my
head well he makes a fair point but I
can think of a lot of other accents that
nobody gets by accident Jokes Aside
you're obviously halfway to figuring
this out by now because there's one
thing they all have in common some kind
of horrible injury to their brains and
yeah the other thing thing that's really
freaking you out wrong medication pretty
scary I know so what is going on did
their brains really reject English and
which of the two would be more
frightening to you forgetting your
native language or forgetting your
native accent maybe you'd take it either
way just to sound foreign come on let us
know in the comments which would you
prefer and finally we are at the part
you've all been waiting for not lies not
black magic but
science unintentionally switching
languages in this way is known as
bilingual
Aphasia and those with the condition can
often find themselves suddenly better at
their second language second language
turns out Ben had learned a little
Mandarin in high school but he only had
a basic understanding somehow the
accident made him take a giant jump
influency isn't that pretty crazy you
see the part of his brain that knew
English was damaged in the crash so when
he woke up with no memory of English his
brain was searching for language and the
part that had learned basic Mandarin
just kind of kicked in and took over
pretty amazing aming her my take on this
is Ben's brain knew a lot more Mandarin
than he thought he did it was kind of
hiding in there the whole time which
tends to happen with language
acquisition he just needed a good old
sleep to sort everything out once
English was taken away from him he could
only use Mandarin access to that second
language is improved because that's all
that you've got available to you the two
footballers have a similar story they
both absorbed a second language without
even realizing it but there's something
else going on here all of these people
were super confident when they spoke why
well you don't exactly have any
inhibitions when you think you're
speaking your native tongue right it's
tragically brilliant and you're not
going to believe this but Ben never lost
his Chinese fluency he took the whole
experience as a sign did a mandarin
course at University to really lock it
in and before he knew it he was on
Chinese TV
hello it really just goes to show that
even if you're a beginner the language
you're learning is it's going in whether
you think it is or not maybe try reading
some stories just before bedtime see if
that helps things sink in now what about
waking up with a foreign accent this
one's even stranger remember the lady
with four accents Emily that was a clue
end the plot twist they haven't really
picked up an accent at all we just think
that they have it's called foreign
accent syndrome and it's a rare speech
disorder that can happen if you hurt the
part of your brain that controls the
melody and rhythm part of your language
so it makes you mispronounce sounds but
to everyone else it sounds like you
picked up an accent and then we just go
and stick a label on that accent because
well we we just can't help ourselves
which leads me to one very important
question if you have a weird accent
could that accent get you fired from
your work I'm about to lose my dang job
if you want the answer to this we'll be
addressing this in an upcoming video
meanwhile I have a super fun accent
challenge for you in this video right
over here
関連動画をさらに表示
The women who woke up with foreign accents | 60 Minutes Australia
Language and the brain: Aphasia and split-brain patients | MCAT | Khan Academy
Creating bilingual minds | Naja Ferjan Ramirez | TEDxLjubljana
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