Does Being Bilingual Make You Smarter?

Seeker

13 Jun 201403:20

Summary

TLDRIn this episode of D News, guest Alice Gile discusses the cognitive benefits of bilingualism. Research from the University of Edinburgh suggests that speaking multiple languages can slow brain aging and delay dementia. A study in 'Annals of Neurology' shows that even learning a second language later in life can boost cognitive abilities and intelligence. While bilinguals may experience slower lexical access, the ability to think through actions before acting is enhanced, potentially leading to better decision-making.

Takeaways

🌟 The video features a discussion on the benefits of being bilingual, with Alice Gile as a guest.
🧠 Research from the University of Edinburgh suggests that bilingualism can slow down the brain's aging process and delay dementia.
🤔 The debate on whether learning a new language makes one smarter or if smarter people are more likely to learn languages has been ongoing.
📚 A study in the journal 'Annals of Neurology' focused on older adults to understand the impact of bilingualism on cognitive abilities.
📉 The study involved 835 native English speakers from Edinburgh, Scotland, who took intelligence tests at ages 11 and 76.
🌐 A third of the participants spoke a language other than English, with most learning it before the age of 18.
📈 Bilingual participants showed better cognitive abilities than expected based on their childhood intelligence tests.
📚 Even those who learned a second language after age 18 showed improved cognitive performance.
💡 Speaking multiple languages is associated with higher general intelligence and better reading comprehension.
🗣️ A 2012 study in 'Psychological Science' found that multilingualism reduces cognitive inconsistencies and aids in making rational decisions.
🚧 Bilingualism can have downsides, such as delayed lexical access and difficulty in switching between languages, which can affect communication.
🤓 Despite potential communication challenges, the cognitive benefits of bilingualism seem to outweigh the drawbacks, encouraging lifelong language learning.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the D news video featuring Alice Gile?
-The main topic discussed is the cognitive benefits of being bilingual, including the potential to slow down brain aging and delay dementia.
What did researchers at the University of Edinburgh find regarding the impact of bilingualism on the brain?
-Researchers found that speaking multiple languages can slow down the brain's aging process and delay the onset of dementia.
What is the classic debate in the field of bilingualism research?
-The classic debate is whether learning a new language makes a person smarter or if smarter people are more likely to learn new languages.
What did the study in the 'Annals of Neurology' focus on to address the classic debate?
-The study focused on older participants, specifically native English speakers from Edinburgh, Scotland, to determine the impact of learning a second language on cognitive abilities.
What was the age range of the participants in the study from the 'Annals of Neurology'?
-The participants were initially tested at age 11 and then retested 65 years later.
What did the study find about the relationship between learning a second language and cognitive abilities?
-The study found that participants who spoke two or more languages had better cognitive abilities than expected based on their childhood intelligence tests.
What was the significance of the finding that even participants who learned a second language after age 18 had better cognitive test results?
-This finding suggests that it is not too late to learn a second language and potentially benefit from improved cognitive abilities.
According to a 2012 study published in 'Psychological Science', what additional benefits does speaking multiple languages offer?
-The study revealed that speaking several languages reduces cognitive inconsistencies and helps individuals make more rational decisions.
What are some of the potential downsides to being bilingual mentioned in the script?
-The potential downsides include slower lexical access when speaking, and difficulty in switching off one language in favor of another, which can lead to awkward moments in conversation.
What did the studies from Penn State and Northwestern University find about bilingual individuals' language processing?
-The studies found that bilingual individuals can experience delayed lexical access and have difficulty switching off one language, which can be a disadvantage for smooth communication but an advantage for thoughtful decision-making.
What does the script suggest about the general public's opinion on learning multiple languages?
-The script invites viewers to share their thoughts on whether learning multiple languages is cool or not, indicating that opinions on the matter may vary.

Outlines

00:00

🗣️ Benefits of Bilingualism and Cognitive Enhancement

The video script introduces a discussion on the benefits of being bilingual, with guest Alice Gile. It mentions a study from the University of Edinburgh that suggests speaking multiple languages can slow down the brain's aging process and delay dementia. The script also touches on the debate about whether learning a new language makes one smarter or if smarter people are more likely to learn new languages. The study focused on older individuals, specifically native English speakers from Edinburgh, who were tested for intelligence at age 11 and again 65 years later. The findings indicate that those who spoke two or more languages had better cognitive abilities than expected based on their childhood intelligence tests, regardless of when they learned the second language.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Bilingual

Bilingual refers to the ability to speak two languages fluently. In the context of the video, it is highlighted as a beneficial skill that can enhance cognitive abilities and delay the aging process of the brain. The script mentions that researchers have studied the benefits of bilingualism, suggesting that it can slow cognitive decline and improve decision-making skills.

💡Cognitive abilities

Cognitive abilities encompass various mental capacities, including memory, attention, and problem-solving. The video script discusses a study that found bilingual individuals to have better cognitive abilities than expected based on their childhood intelligence tests, indicating that speaking multiple languages can positively impact these abilities.

💡Intelligence test

An intelligence test is a method used to measure cognitive abilities. In the script, it is mentioned that participants took an intelligence test at age 11 and then another 65 years later to assess the impact of bilingualism on their cognitive development over time.

💡Dementia

Dementia is a general term for a decline in cognitive ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. The video suggests that being bilingual can delay the onset of dementia, as it can slow down the brain's aging process.

💡Neurology

Neurology is the branch of medicine dealing with disorders of the nervous system. The video references a study in the 'anals of Neurology' that focused on the impact of bilingualism on older people, emphasizing the scientific nature of the research.

💡Language learning

Language learning is the process of acquiring proficiency in additional languages. The script discusses the benefits of learning a second language, whether it be before or after the age of 18, and how it can improve general intelligence and reading abilities.

💡Cognitive inconsistencies

Cognitive inconsistencies refer to the irrational or illogical patterns in thinking. The video cites a 2012 study that suggests speaking multiple languages can reduce these inconsistencies and help individuals make more rational decisions.

💡Lexical access

Lexical access is the process of retrieving words from memory. The script mentions a phenomenon called 'delayed lexical access,' which is experienced by bilingual individuals, where they may take slightly longer to find the right words due to the activation of both languages in the brain.

💡Communication

Communication is the act of conveying meaning from one entity to another. The video discusses the potential downsides of bilingualism, such as the challenge of switching between languages during communication, which can sometimes be overwhelming.

💡Rational decisions

Rational decisions are choices made based on logic and reason. The script points out that speaking multiple languages can help individuals make better, more rational decisions, which is a valuable skill in various aspects of life.

💡Bilingualism disadvantages

While the video primarily focuses on the benefits of bilingualism, it also acknowledges potential disadvantages, such as the difficulty in switching between languages and the possibility of slower lexical access, which can affect the smoothness of communication.

Highlights

Alice Gile is a special guest on D news discussing the benefits of being bilingual.

Bilingualism can slow down the brain's aging process and delay dementia, according to researchers at the University of Edinburgh.

The impact of learning two languages has been debated, with questions about whether it makes one smarter or if smarter people are more likely to learn new languages.

A study in the annals of Neurology focused on older individuals to understand the cognitive effects of bilingualism.

835 native English speakers from Edinburgh, Scotland, were tested for intelligence at age 11 and again 65 years later.

A third of the participants reported speaking a language other than English, with most learning it before the age of 18.

Bilingual participants showed better cognitive abilities than expected based on their childhood intelligence tests.

Even those who learned a second language after age 18 showed improved cognitive results.

Bilingualism is associated with higher general intelligence and better reading comprehension.

A 2012 study in psychological science found that speaking multiple languages can improve decision-making skills.

Bilingual individuals may experience delayed lexical access, which can slow down their speech.

Bilingualism can make it difficult to switch off one language in favor of another during communication.

The challenges of bilingualism may be an advantage for thoughtful decision-making before acting.

The awkwardness of searching for words in a conversation is a noted downside of bilingualism.

The D news video invites viewers to share their thoughts on learning multiple languages in their favorite language.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to subscribe to D news.