Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the four language abilities typically measured?
What are the four language abilities typically measured?
What is a balanced bilingual?
What is a balanced bilingual?
What are the three types of bilinguals based on their situation and how they acquired each language?
What are the three types of bilinguals based on their situation and how they acquired each language?
What does the critical period hypothesis suggest?
What does the critical period hypothesis suggest?
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What advantages does being multilingual give your brain?
What advantages does being multilingual give your brain?
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What diseases can being multilingual potentially delay the onset of?
What diseases can being multilingual potentially delay the onset of?
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Does bilingualism necessarily make you smarter?
Does bilingualism necessarily make you smarter?
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Study Notes
Do you speak Spanish? Do you speak French? Can you speak Chinese? If you answered yes and are watching this in English, chances are you are part of the world's bilingual and multilingual majority. Knowing two or more languages means that your brain may actually work differently than those who only know one language. Language ability is typically measured in speaking, writing, listening, and reading. While a balanced bilingual has near equal abilities in two languages, most bilinguals know and use their languages in varying proportions. Depending on their situation and how they acquired each language, bilinguals can be classified into three types: compound, coordinate, and subordinate. Recent advances in brain imaging technology have given neurolinguists a glimpse into how specific aspects of language learning affect the bilingual brain. It's well known that the brain's left hemisphere is more dominant and analytical in logical processes, while the right hemisphere is more active in emotional and social ones. The fact that language involves both types of functions has led to the critical period hypothesis, which suggests that children learn languages more easily because the plasticity of their developing brains lets them use both hemispheres in language acquisition. Being multilingual gives your brain some remarkable advantages, including higher density of grey matter and more activity in certain regions when engaging a second language. The heightened workout a bilingual brain receives throughout its life can also help delay the onset of diseases, like Alzheimer's and dementia. While bilingualism may not necessarily make you smarter, it does make your brain more healthy, complex, and actively engaged.
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Description
Discover the fascinating world of bilingualism and multilingualism with our quiz! Test your knowledge on the different types of bilinguals, language abilities, and the effects of being multilingual on the brain. From compound to subordinate bilinguals, learn how language acquisition affects brain function and how being multilingual can benefit your overall brain health. Take the quiz now and see how much you know about the benefits of speaking multiple languages!
