A new study suggests that speaking multiple languages could slow brain ageing by up to 13 years. The research, presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies conference in Barcelona, found that multilingual individuals have younger-looking brains, with the effect increasing with the number of languages spoken and the proficiency level.
Study findings on brain age
The study revealed that people who speak two languages had brains appearing around six years younger than those speaking only one language. Those speaking three languages showed brains about seven years younger, while individuals speaking four languages had brains approximately 13 years younger. The findings are based on brain connectivity measurements using magnetoencephalography.
Scientists from Spain, Chile, Argentina, and Dublin compared 728 people in the Basque region, where high levels of multilingualism are common, speaking Spanish, Basque, French, and/or English. They used AI to calculate normal brain connectivity levels for each age, then scanned a second group of 144 people with equal numbers speaking one, two, three, or four languages.
Impact of language proficiency and timing
Dr Lucia Amoruso from the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language explained: “In simple terms, people who spoke more languages tended to have brains that looked younger than expected for their chronological age. The effect was not only related to the number of languages spoken. Higher language proficiency and earlier acquisition of a second language were also associated with more delayed brain ageing.”
She added: “This suggests that multilingual experience matters as a gradient: it is not simply about being bilingual or not, but about the depth and duration of language experience.” The researchers accounted for age, sex, and education, but noted potential influences from lifestyle and social engagement.
Expert reactions and caveats
Prof Christina Dalla from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens commented: “This study suggests that learning a second, third or fourth language could help our brains to stay younger for longer, and the earlier we start, the better. There are many good reasons for learning another language at any age – social, cultural and for the health of your brain – so we should support language-learning at school and throughout life, even if it’s hard.”
However, Eef Hogervorst, professor of biological psychology at Loughborough University, urged caution. While evidence suggests multilingualism is linked to better brain resilience, she noted: “It may be the case that people who speak multiple languages also engage in healthier lifestyles and/or have better access to other protective environments and activities, such as reading, lifelong learning and playing musical instruments.”
