Types of Bilingual Brains
I recently came across an insightful TED-Ed video by Mia Nacamulli titled “The benefits of a bilingual brain,” which explores the cognitive advantages of being bilingual or multilingual. The video highlights three types of bilingual brains: compound, coordinate, and subordinate.
Nacamulli explains that knowing more than one language can impact the brain’s structure and function, with some advantages even being visible, such as increased grey matter density and more activity in certain regions. Furthermore, the constant mental workout of a bilingual brain can help delay the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia by up to five years.
Despite earlier misconceptions about bilingualism being a disability, recent research demonstrates the benefits of being multilingual. For instance, the effort and attention needed to switch between languages strengthens the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which plays a significant role in executive function and problem-solving.
- Compound bilingual: Develops two linguistic codes simultaneously with a single set of concepts.
- Coordinate bilingual: Works with two sets of concepts, learning one language in school and speaking another at home.
- Subordinate bilingual: Learns a secondary language by filtering it through their primary language.
Brain Structure and Function
- Increased grey matter density.
- More activity in certain brain regions when engaging a second language.
Delaying Diseases
- Bilingualism can help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia by up to five years.
Misconceptions about Bilingualism
- Prior to the 1960s, bilingualism was considered a disability.
- Flawed studies led to the belief that bilingualism slowed children’s development.
Benefits of Bilingualism
- Strengthens the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which plays a significant role in executive function and problem-solving.
Summary
In summary, being bilingual or multilingual doesn’t necessarily make you smarter, but it does result in a healthier, more complex, and actively engaged brain. So, whether you learned a second language as a child or want to start now, the cognitive benefits are undeniable. This TED-Ed video is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the power of bilingualism and the remarkable advantages it offers.
Conclusion
Being bilingual or multilingual doesn’t necessarily make you smarter, but it does result in a healthier, more complex, and actively engaged brain. This TED-Ed video by Mia Nacamulli is a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the power of bilingualism and the remarkable advantages it offers.
Reference
YouTube Video : The benefits of a bilingual brain – Mia Nacamulli
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