Vishruth, Week 16: Bilingualism
Bilingualism, the ability to fluently speak two languages, has long fascinated researchers for its profound impact on cognitive function, particularly memory. Far from being a mere linguistic skill, bilingualism is increasingly recognized as a cognitive asset that shapes the very architecture of the brain.
If I were to guess, English is not the only language you are fluent in. Personally, I can read, write, and speak three languages: English, Tamil, and French. But can you imagine knowing the ins and outs of five, six… ten languages? Just imagine how much memory that must take—storing hundreds of thousands of conjugations and grammar rules. It took me years to even get the handle of one. It turns out, however, that the differential wiring of polyglots’ brains contributes to their ability to absorb new languages in a way that others can’t. In this text, I delve into the details of how these neuronal differences give rise to the gift of multilingualism.
The brain’s language processing network, located primarily in the left hemisphere, includes regions in the frontal and temporal lobes. According to one 2022 MIT study, these same language regions light up when polyglots listen to any of the languages that they speak. In other words, this neural network “responds more strongly” to “languages in which the speaker is more proficient,” with one notable exception: the speaker’s native language. When polyglots listen to their mother tongue the opposite happens: brain activity virtually shuts off. Pretty cool, huh?
More recently, polyglots have been the subject of numerous scientific investigations seeking to delineate language processing in the brain. For instance, an investigation by the Fedorenko Lab at MIT recruited 34 polyglots, whom they scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while “they listened to passages read in eight different languages.” The results ultimately corroborated those in the 2022 study. As Evelina Fedorenko puts it, “As you increase proficiency, you can engage linguistic computations to a greater extent, so you get these progressively stronger responses. But then if you compare a really high-proficiency language and a native language, it may be that the native language is just a little bit easier, possibly because you've had more experience with it.”
If I were to guess, English is not the only language you are fluent in. Personally, I can read, write, and speak three languages: English, Tamil, and French. But can you imagine knowing the ins and outs of five, six… ten languages? Just imagine how much memory that must take—storing hundreds of thousands of conjugations and grammar rules. It took me years to even get the handle of one. It turns out, however, that the differential wiring of polyglots’ brains contributes to their ability to absorb new languages in a way that others can’t. In this text, I delve into the details of how these neuronal differences give rise to the gift of multilingualism.
The brain’s language processing network, located primarily in the left hemisphere, includes regions in the frontal and temporal lobes. According to one 2022 MIT study, these same language regions light up when polyglots listen to any of the languages that they speak. In other words, this neural network “responds more strongly” to “languages in which the speaker is more proficient,” with one notable exception: the speaker’s native language. When polyglots listen to their mother tongue the opposite happens: brain activity virtually shuts off. Pretty cool, huh?
More recently, polyglots have been the subject of numerous scientific investigations seeking to delineate language processing in the brain. For instance, an investigation by the Fedorenko Lab at MIT recruited 34 polyglots, whom they scanned with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while “they listened to passages read in eight different languages.” The results ultimately corroborated those in the 2022 study. As Evelina Fedorenko puts it, “As you increase proficiency, you can engage linguistic computations to a greater extent, so you get these progressively stronger responses. But then if you compare a really high-proficiency language and a native language, it may be that the native language is just a little bit easier, possibly because you've had more experience with it.”
Hi Vishruth,
ReplyDeleteYour exploration of bilingualism's impact on cognitive function is both enlightening and thought-provoking. As someone fluent in multiple languages, I can attest to the intricate dance our brains perform when juggling different linguistic systems. The studies you mentioned, particularly the work from the Fedorenko Lab, shed light on how deeply ingrained our native language is within our neural networks, contrasting with the dynamic engagement required for other languages. This differentiation in brain activity is indeed fascinating. It highlights not only the cognitive flexibility of polyglots but also suggests that our brains optimize processing for languages we are less proficient in, potentially as a strategy to manage the increased cognitive load. Your post made me reflect on my own experiences and appreciate the remarkable adaptability of our brains. It's exciting to consider how further research might unravel even more about the neural mechanisms behind multilingualism. Thank you for sharing such insightful information.
Hi Vishruth! The way you blend personal experience with scientific research makes complex ideas accessible and engaging. By sharing your own experience with English, Tamil, and French, you create a relatable context that draws readers in and highlights the real-world implications of your topic. It’s fascinating to learn how brain activity differs when polyglots listen to languages they are proficient in versus their native language, highlighting the neural efficiency that comes with multilingual proficiency. Reading your blog made me reflect on the broader cognitive benefits of bilingualism, such as improved executive function and better memory. While your blog is highly informative, it could be even better with a few enhancements. For example, you could dive deeper into the specific cognitive benefits of bilingualism and include visual aids like diagrams or fMRI images to help readers visualize the concepts. Your blog is a compelling read that makes a complex subject both informative and thought-provoking.
ReplyDeleteHi Vishruth,
ReplyDeleteFrom the moment I read the title of your blog, I knew it wanted to read it. The topic of bilingualism is one that is not given much attention especially given the fact that all high schoolers in California are required to study at least two years of a foreign language. Growing up, my mother tongue was Bengali, but I was fluent in Hindi and English due to their utilization in my daily life growing up in India. After you mentioned the findings of the brain's language detection center not "lighting up" when a mother tongue is spoken near someone, but lights up for other languages, I searched my memories to search for evidence of this study. I realized that I did feel more inclined to listen carefully when a language besides my mother tongue and english were spoken. Your discussion about polyglot's having a more complex left-sided brain than non-polyglots also intrigued me as I was convinced that anyone above functioning iq could learn multiple languages. Overall, your blog was very informative as I learned numerous facts about human psychology and language that I was previously unaware of. If I had to change one thing to improve your blog even more, I would simply further your discussion towards the end of the blog in which you write about the significance of these findings, as it would add more relevance to your topic of discussion.