Speaking two languages could not be more helpful in
today’s world. It’s no mystery that being raised a bilingual only has great
benefits but studies have actually proven that the mind functions at a quicker
rate that not only enhances children on an academic level but also helps
postpone elderly diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
In the study presented by Valerie Flores on
bilingualism, it was evident that being a language carried a great deal of
enhancement in the way the mind functions. In her research using a color- word
stroop task, she was able to demonstrate how the brain responds to certain tasks
in the mind of a language broker vs. a non-language broker. Focusing on
even-related potential, she watched for N200 as N200 is where the brain detects
any conflicting information present. Her study showed the power of inhibition
that bilingual language brokers have that give rise to the availability to
shift from task to task, allowing more concentration and focus.
In a study by psychologists Ellen Bialstok and
Michelle Marin-Rhee, preschoolers who were bilingual and monolingual were asked
to sort circles that were blue and squares that were red into bins labeled
‘blue square’ and ‘red circle’. The first task was to match according to color,
blue into the blue bin, and red into the red bin. The second task, the more
complicated of the two, was to sort according to shape. The bilinguals seemed
to accomplish this task at a quicker rate. This task showed evidence of the
executive control system of the brain to be more advanced in bilinguals than monolingual.
The executive function serves as a "command system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning, solving problems and performing various other mentally demanding tasks. These processes include ignoring distractions to stay focused, switching attention willfully from one thing to another and holding information in mind”
What these two studies were able to determine, is that this
ability to function at a quicker rate is the ability to inhibit one language,
while the other is used. Inhibition makes for the brain to switch from
different languages thus the brain is constantly working to distinguish between
the two.
Because the brain is consistently working in the mind of a
bilingual, studies also show that there is a later onset to Alzheimer’s
disease. In a study by neuropsychologist, Tamar Gollan, 44 elders were measured
on their expertise in each language. Results showed that those with a higher
degree of proficiency could postpone or have a later onset to Alzheimer’s and
dementia.
Another research that was able to prove that being bilingual
has benefits a great deal of benefits for elders was done by researchers from
University of Kentucky College of Medicine in which 110 participants ranging in
age from 60-68 were given a cognitive flexibility task all the while they had
brain imaging tests. Some of these participants were bilingual since they were
young, and others only spoke on language.
Both bilingual and monolingual participants were able to complete
the task, however, the bilinguals were able to complete the task more quickly. The
prefrontal cortex of the bilinguals showed to use less energy than those
seniors who were monolingual suggesting that the brains of the bilingual seniors
still ran effortlessly and more efficiently.
The exposure of different languages at a young age display a
great deal of benefits and as the world keeps expanding so should our minds.
Sources:
Bhattacharjee, Y. (2012, March 17). Why Bilinguals Are Smarter. The New York Times. Retrieved April 24, 2014, from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-benefits-of-bilingualism.html?_r=0
Chan, A. (2013, January 8). Bilingual Adults Have Sharper Brains, Study Suggests.Huffpost Healthy Living. Retrieved April 24, 2014, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/08/bilingual-brain-cognitive-flexibility_n_2432948.htm
Flores, Valerie. "Cognitive Strengths
Among Bilinguals". Loyola University Chicago Neuroscience Seminar. 15
April 2014.
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