Gaby
Researchers at the University of Barcelona explored the link between bilingualism and aging—and found surprising results.
They found that bilingual brains appear better protected against dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. Bilingualism helps keep the brain active and youthful for longer.
There are about 6,000 languages in the world, so bilingualism is probably more common than many people assume.
Bilingualism refers to fluent use of two languages, often as if both were native. About 70 percent of the world’s population is bilingual.
Bilinguals vary widely in ability. Some people are bilingual with a modest vocabulary of about 6,000 words; others command 60,000 words and idioms in both languages.
The Complex Connection Between Aging and Bilingualism
Researchers distinguish two forms: early bilingualism, when both languages are learned in early childhood, and sequential bilingualism, when a second language is added later. The study groups people who learned their second language in three age ranges: 12-15, 16-30, and 31-60.
The Barcelona team included 746 participants across those age ranges. Observational results showed that bilingualism helped preserve cognitive functions, especially learning, memory, executive function, and language abilities, according to The Conversation.
Researchers found that bilinguals have greater gray matter volume than monolinguals, especially in younger and middle-aged groups.
Key Takeaways
The study found that bilingual individuals perform better on cognitive tests. Statistics also show they may have access to a wider range of career opportunities.
Regardless of how someone becomes bilingual, evidence suggests it produces beneficial, lasting structural changes in the brain. Bilingualism helps keep the brain active and youthful for longer.
Thus, bilingualism not only opens up vast communicative and cultural horizons but also enhances cognitive abilities. It may help protect the brain against dementia and slow cognitive aging.
