A range of literature is available that explains the benefits of multilingualismand documents its numerous cognitive outcomes. Multilingual individuals exhibit greater awareness of language, control over attention, symbolic reasoning, divergent thinking and awareness of their own mental processes. They are also believed to possess superior problem-solving skills due to their ability to choose between different languages (Adesope et al., 2010). Further, multilingualism helps build cognitive reserve that compensates for pathologies related to the brain. In particular, multilingualism delays the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (Craik et al., 2010).
Surely, the use of multiple languages cannot be that beneficial, but research has established that lifelong multilingualism is a demanding condition that has the same cognitive benefits as other social, physical and intellectual engagements. Multilingualism exercises and stimulates the brain the same way that playing a musical instrument/video game or attending formal schooling does (Klein et al., 2016). The increase in the fitness of the brain helps overcome damage and reduces the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Individuals who speak more than one language continually seek environmental cues to decide the most suitable language for purposes of understanding and production under the given circumstances. Consequently, they activate the most appropriate language and deactivate the others. This is a complex cognitive process that involves monitoring, selection, activation and deactivation of metal faculties. Regular indulgence in these processes is a great exercise for the brain and the multilingual mind continually gets this exercise (Klein et al., 2016). Advantages manifest in the form of improved cognitive control and buildup of cognitive reserve, especially in cases where individuals are exposed to different languages early in life (Bialystoket al., 2004).
Studies that document the link between dementia and multilingualism reveal some interesting patterns. In general, as compared to monolinguals, in multilinguals, the onset of dementia is delayed by a period of three to five years (Bialystok et al., 2004; Craik et al., 2010). An even greater advantage is reported in the case of multilinguals who use four or more languages (Chertkow et al., 2010).
However, before we recommend the adoption of multilingualism to individuals at high risk for early onset of cognitive pathologies or label monolingualism as a risk factor for the same, we must understand that while the existing evidence indicating a multilingual advantage is encouraging, it is not absolute. There exist studies that either establish this phenomenon in restricted samples or report null results (Zahodne et al., 2013). Further research based on a reliable global sample will throw more light on the issue.
References:
Adesope, O.O., Lavin, T., Thompson, T. and Ungerleider, C. (2010), “A systematic review and meta-analysis of the cognitive correlates of bilingualism”, Review of Educational Research, Vol. 80, No. 2, pp. 207-245.
Bialystok, E., Craik, F.I.M., Klein, R. and Viswanathan, M. (2004), “Bilingualism, aging, and cognitive control: evidence from the Simon task”, Psychology and Aging, available at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cbs/rclcn/images/cdl_articles/B/Bialystok_et_al._2004.pdf(accessed 27 September, 2021).
Chertkow, H., Whitehead, V., Phillips, N., Wolfson, C., Atherton, J. and Bergman, H. (2010), “Bilingualism (but not always bilingualism) delays the onset of Alzheimer disease: evidence from a bilingual community”, Alzheimer Disease Associated Disorders, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 118-125.
Craik, I.M., Bialystok, E. and Freedman, M. (2010), “Delaying the onset of Alzheimer disease: bilingualism as a form of cognitive reserve”, Neurology, Vol. 75, No. 19, pp. 1726-1729. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827316300313(accessed 27 September, 2021).
Klein, R.M., Christie, J. and Parkvall, M. (2016), “Does multilingualism affect the incidence of Alzheimer;s disease? a worldwide analysis by country”, Population Health, available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827316300313(accessed 27 September, 2021).
Zahodne, L.B., Schofield, P.W., Farrell, M.T., Stern, Y. and Manly, J.J. (2013), “Bilingualism does not alter cognitive decline or dementia risk among Spanish-speaking immigrants”, Neuropsychology, available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3947427/(accessed 27 September, 2021).
