I am multilingual. I speak three languages, four if you add pidgin and five if I count my ability to throw together French nouns and verbs with no respect for the rules of the language. There are many benefits of speaking multiple languages. Firstly, speaking multiple languages is great and the world’s greatest polyglots are known to be fluent in 5-50 different languages. My 3-5 languages may not be impressive, but I can still do this without google translate
In Ghana, everyone you meet speaks at least two languages, three is standard, four is quite common and the minimum criteria to sell waakye is five languages. The benefits of speaking multiple languages within such a population of multilinguals has never been explored and many are unaware of the benefits of being multilingual in the first place. The next few paragraphs share some of the known benefits of speaking multiple languages
Benefits of Speaking multiple languages in early child hood brain development
The benefits of speaking multiple languages are enjoyed by babies. Before babies are able to speak, they can identify language. Whereas monolingual babies are only able to identify one language, multilingual babies are able to identify and distinguish sounds in all the different languages they are exposed to. This gives multilingual babies a headstart in language learning and a strong foundation for overall cognitive development. This is particularly important because it has been argued that learning multiple languages translates into better performance in other subject areas.
Therefore, if anyone ever tells you exposing babies and children to multiple languages will confuse them, just direct them to read this
Speaking multiple languages increases cognitive ability
The benefits of speaking multiple languages is seen in cognitive ability. There is an extensive amount of research which provides evidence that speaking multiple languages improves the executive functioning skills of the brain in multiple ways. For starters, memory plays a huge part in learning language, so it’s no surprise that multilinguals often have better memory than those who speak a single language. Then there is the boost to information processing and multitasking, which makes perfect sense. Consider that the brain of a multilingual person must be able to understand information provided in multiple languages and switch between languages at any given time.
Lastly, there’s a study that says speaking multiple languages can even help make more rational decisions!
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Benefits of Speaking multiple languages during aging
The benefits of speaking multiple languages includes good brain health. Conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are very common in an aging population. The reduced incidence of such conditions in Ghana and other African countries has often been attributed to underreporting and poor availability of data. Here’s something else to consider; speaking multiple languages can protect the brain against dementia and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by 5 years. It is possible that people who speak multiple languages suffer the same amount of brain damage due to aging. However, the typical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease such as memory loss and confusion all set in much later in life. Multilingualism, how’s that for a super power.
Multiple languages means multiple perspectives
Speaking multiple languages can have significant benefits and can shape one’s perspective and expression. Translating certain concepts can be challenging, and some expressions may sound better in one language compared to another. Research suggests that bilingual individuals perceive the world differently, with variations ranging from differences in color perception to potentially experiencing multiple personalities. Bilinguals may also emphasize different character traits depending on the language they are speaking.
When it comes to the benefits of speaking multiple languages, I have not even touched on the increased job opportunities that comes with being multilingual, the enhanced communication skills and the ease of travel. Being able to speak a little bit of a local language is not only endearing but will probably save you from getting ripped off. The are many more benefits to multilingualism that is yet unexplored but Dr. Thomas Bak (@thbaketal) does a great in this article to get us all thinking.
For now Google translate and the growth of voice language translator devices are reducing the impact of language barriers but they do very little for delaying dementia onset. My advice, consider learning a new language, it’s never too late. You will thank me for it when you are 90 years old and calling for a diaper change in four different languages