How Language Training
Affects The Brain
Script:
- The analysis of functional MRI brain scans has allowed scientists to understand how different languages and language training are processed in the brain.
- Recent Swedish MRI studies show that languages have different effects on brain activity.
- For example, native Japanese speakers cannot easily hear the difference between the English “r” and “l” sounds, making it difficult to distinguish words like “river” and “liver”.
- This is because, unlike English, Japanese does not distinguish between “r” and “l” as distinct sounds.
- When presented with English words containing either of these sounds, brain imaging studies show that only a single region of a Japanese speaker’s brain is activated.
- For English speakers, brain scans show two different areas of activation, one for each sound.
- Luckily, by using a software program that exaggerates the aspects of each sound, Japanese speakers can learn to hear the difference between “r” and “l”.
- When the sounds are modified and extended by the software, participants are more easily able to hear the difference between the sounds.
- This sort of research might eventually lead to advances in the use of technology for second language training.
- Science also demonstrates that learning a second language is beneficial to brain health.
- Compared to those who are monolingual, people who speak more than one language have better memories, are more cognitively creative, and have greater mental flexibility.
- Canadian studies also suggest that Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed later for bilingual People, suggesting that knowing a second language can help humans stay cognitively healthy into their later years.
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