Language Processing
In order to understand how bilingualism affects the brain we must first discuss how language is processed in the brain. Language processing refers to the way the human brain creates and understands language. Studies show that most language processing functions occur in the cerebral function and are carried out as executive functions. There are two areas of the human brain that are essential to language– Wernicke’s area and Broca’s area, located predominantly in the left hemisphere of the brain. Wernicke’s area is responsible for comprehension of language, while Broca’s area is responsible for the production of speech. Oral language begins with acoustic stimuli, which is generated into bioelectrical and is transported to Wernicke’s area where it comprehends speech. From Wernicke’s area the signal is transported to Broca’s area where speech is produced and articulated
Madison Force and Nico Nadachowski - "Language and Bilingualism in the Brain"
Bilingualism and the Brain
Livescience stated that “bilingual people are like brain ‘bodybuilders’ ”. People who speak multiple languages are constantly activating both languages in their brain. Their brains are able to decipher which language to use, thus increasing brain activity and executive functions. Recent research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan the brains of 35 subjects (17 bilingual and 18 monolingual) has shown that the brain scans of bilingual people were much more active. Additionally, there have been studies that have drawn relationships between a decline in Alzheimer’s disease and the bilingual brain. According to the May clinic, cognitive developing activities, such as bilingualism, increases the blood flow in the brain, thereby, potentially decreasing loss of diseased parts.
However according to the Mayo clinic there has been conflicting results when connecting bilingualism and Alzheimer's disease, especially bilingualism later in life. Dr. Ronal Petersen, M.D points out that "more research is needed before it is completely understood how cognitive reserve works to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease or dimentia".
However according to the Mayo clinic there has been conflicting results when connecting bilingualism and Alzheimer's disease, especially bilingualism later in life. Dr. Ronal Petersen, M.D points out that "more research is needed before it is completely understood how cognitive reserve works to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease or dimentia".
Sources:
Friederici, A. D. (2011). The Brain Basis of Language Processing: From Structure to Function (Vol. 91).
Bialystok, E., Craik, F. I. M., & Freedman, M. (2007). Bilingualism as a protection against the onset of symptoms of dementia. Neuropsychologia, 45(2), 459- 464. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2006.10.009
Mechelli, A., Crinion, J. T., Noppeney, U., O'Doherty, J., Ashburner, J., Frackowiak, R. S., & Price, C. J. (2004). Neurolinguistics: Structural plasticity in the bilingual brain. Nature, 431(7010), 757-757. doi: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v431/n7010/suppinfo/431757a_S1.html
Altarriba, J., & Isurin, L. (2012). Memory, Language, and Bilingualism. West Nyack, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press.
Pierce, L. J., Klein, D., Chen, J.-K., Delcenserie, A., & Genesee, F. (2014). Mapping the unconscious maintenance of a lost first language. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(48), 17314-17319. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1409411111http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers- disease/expert-answers/benefits-of-being-bilingual/faq-20058048
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Friederici, A. D. (2011). The Brain Basis of Language Processing: From Structure to Function (Vol. 91).
Bialystok, E., Craik, F. I. M., & Freedman, M. (2007). Bilingualism as a protection against the onset of symptoms of dementia. Neuropsychologia, 45(2), 459- 464. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2006.10.009
Mechelli, A., Crinion, J. T., Noppeney, U., O'Doherty, J., Ashburner, J., Frackowiak, R. S., & Price, C. J. (2004). Neurolinguistics: Structural plasticity in the bilingual brain. Nature, 431(7010), 757-757. doi: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v431/n7010/suppinfo/431757a_S1.html
Altarriba, J., & Isurin, L. (2012). Memory, Language, and Bilingualism. West Nyack, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press.
Pierce, L. J., Klein, D., Chen, J.-K., Delcenserie, A., & Genesee, F. (2014). Mapping the unconscious maintenance of a lost first language. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111(48), 17314-17319. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1409411111http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers- disease/expert-answers/benefits-of-being-bilingual/faq-20058048
Figure 1 image credit: http://www.bzzagent.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/card-22534588-front.jpg
Header image generated using http://www.tagxedo.com/app.html