New research has found that learning another language can slow brain ageing by up to 13 years, offering a compelling reason for monoglots to take up a new tongue. The study suggests that multilingualism promotes brain connectivity and slows cognitive decline with age, providing a neuroscientific upside to being bilingual or multilingual.
The Science Behind Multilingualism and Brain Health
Scientists believe that the mental effort required to switch between languages strengthens neural networks, enhancing cognitive reserve. This reserve helps the brain compensate for age-related damage, delaying symptoms of dementia and other cognitive impairments. The earlier one learns a language, the greater the benefits, but research indicates that learning at any age can still have positive effects.
Personal Experience: The Joy and Challenge of Language Learning
Columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett shares her own experience of reconnecting with French and Italian. She describes the thrill of using the French subjunctive during a trip to France, successfully arguing with a waiter over a charge for stale tortilla chips. However, she was humbled when a hotel receptionist found her pronunciation of 'draps' (sheets) incomprehensible. Such moments of vulnerability are part of the learning process, she notes.
The Social and Cultural Benefits
Beyond brain health, learning a new language enriches life by opening up new perspectives and allowing communication with diverse people. Cosslett recounts visiting Italy with her father, where she helped him practice Italian. She finds joy in rediscovering lost parts of herself through different languages, noting that people often have different personalities in each language they speak.
Encouragement for Late Learners
While neuroscientists suggest earlier learning is better, Cosslett argues it is never too late to start. She points to the multilingualism of London Uber drivers as an inspiration. Her father, who speaks English, Welsh, some French, and some Russian, considered learning Italian after their trip. The key is to embrace the humility of making mistakes and the cognitive workout that comes with grappling for the right word.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The research provides a powerful incentive for English speakers, who are often monoglot in a bilingual world, to step out of their comfort zone. As Cosslett writes, 'When you speak another language it's almost as though you can feel the neurons connecting.' The benefits for brain health, combined with the cultural and social rewards, make language learning a worthwhile endeavor at any age.
