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Articles : Learning A Language, Living A Life

  • Writer: Sella Lametta
    Sella Lametta
  • Nov 1, 2018
  • 4 min read

Updated: Nov 2, 2018



         Everyone may live with a certain motto of life that is considered as a reminder or a daily motivation for ourselves. Personally, I believe in one of the Czech Proverbs, that has remarked, “You live a new life for every new language you speak. If you know only one language, you live only once.” This beautiful sentence is worth following. I think, not only for me but also for you, you will be reminded that languages are as important as someone’s life. For that belief, I have some reasons to assure you about this. I will be describing the effects we might gain when we learn foreign languages. These effects will uncover some amazing facts that will grab your attention and unconsciously make you recognize this quote as one of your life guides. In the end, you will finally notice if you can be a better multitasker, get healthier, then turn to be smarter by learning other languages. 

           The first actual effect of learning a new language is being a better multitasker. By learning a foreign language, you will have certain mental abilities that affect you to improve your performance while setting up tasks and running several projects at one occasion. Basically, it is explained as a cognitive power that develops the consideration for the bilingual people that are used to activate more than one language at the same time. This usually should be able to ensure the right switching of both. Consequently, it is also supported by a study by the Pennsylvania State University in 2011 that stated if this conjuring ability allows you to build your brain excellently. This multitasking skill gets upgraded because of the improvement in decision-making that occurs. Additionally, based on a study done by psychologists from the University of Chicago, people that speak a language other than their native speech will be helped to decrease the tendency toward loss aversion (Woodruff, 2012). Aversion means a mind-state that often appears outsized in our lives and manifests in a variety of ways. The examples of the possible aversion here are feelings of fear, anger, hate, sadness, irritation, aggravation or a judging mind that exists when you are in an unpleasant situation. In another word, bilinguals tend to make more rational decisions and more confident with their choices after comprehending it over in the second language. Besides, bilinguals also check the consistency of their original assumptions which again mark the more effective tasker they are.


           Surprisingly, learning a language will also take a part in someone’s health. I notice that Alzheimer’s is quite common and known by people. It is one of the most common types of dementia found. It is also known as a progressive mental weakening that occurs because the function of brain comprehensively collapses. It causes some problems dealing with thought, memory as well as behavior. The indications of this disease usually develop slowly and gets worse over time. For that reason, several studies have been conducted and resulted in this consistent conclusion. For monolingual adults, the mean age for the first signs of dementia is 71.4. For adults who speak two or more languages, the mean age for those first signs is 75.5. These studies have considered well other factors such as gender, education background, income level, and physical health, but the results were steady (Hernández, 2008). According to an article of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Prevention, those who continue learning new things throughout life and stimulating their brains are less likely to progress to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, so make it a point to stay mentally active (Smith, 2015).


         Finally, after learning another language, your brain is going to be smarter. When you communicate in foreign languages, you will happen to enhance your brain’s job by giving it challenges such as identifying meaning and connecting to different language systems. In solving problems, this skill again upgrades your ability to negotiate meaning well. Students who study foreign languages tend to score higher on standardized tests than their monolingual ones, particularly in the categories of maths, reading, and vocabulary. Learning a language includes memorizing rules and vocabulary wil be able to strengthen that mental “muscle” or brain. This exercise improves overall memory, which leads that multiple language speakers are better at remembering lists or sequences (Bialystok, 2004). A study done by Joseph Dicks in 2009 shows that bilinguals are advanced at retaining names, shopping lists, and directions. It is likewise caused by the improved perception you have. In addition, multilingual people are better at observing their surroundings. They are more adept at focusing on related information and editing out the irrelevant. They are also better at spotting misleading information (Garbin, 2010). 

        Those three effects are just some conclusion about how learning language is advantageous. You can take more chance to improve your skill as the multitasker who is faster and more efficient. You are also able to prevent the possibility of mental disease or dementia just like Alzheimer’s. The last point, this learning will move you to exercise your brain more frequents and in perfect ways, so no wonder you will be “smarter”. Picking back the earlier proverb, now you see if learning languages will give you many positive effects. It makes things possible for your better health, brain, and multitasking skill. Surely, those are the main points of living a life. So, it is clearly proved that learning languages are as important as living your life. Need more reason to start it today?


 References:

Bialystok E. and Michelle M. Martin. “Attention and inhibition in bilingual children: evidence from the dimensional change card sort task.” Developmental Science 7.3 (2004): 325–339. Print. 

Dicks, Joseph. “Second Language Learning and Cognitive Development: Seminal and Recent Writing in the Field.” Language Research Institute of Canada Notes. University of New Brunswick. January 2009. Garbin, G., Sanjuan A., Forn C., Bustamante J. C.,   

Rodríguez-Pujadas A., Belloch V., …, & Ávila C. “Bridging language and attention: Brain basis of the impact of bilingualism on cognitive control.” NeuroImage 53.4 (2010): 1272–1278. Print. 

Hernández, M., Costa A., Juncadella M., Sebastián-Gallés N., & Reñé R. “Category-specific semantic deficits in Alzheimer’s disease: a semantic priming study.” Neuropsychologia 46.4 (2008): 935–946. Print.  

Penn, State. “Juggling languages can build better brains.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 21 February 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110218092529.htm>.

Smith, Melinda, Lawrence Robinson, and Jeanne Segal. “Alzheimer’s and Dementia Prevention: How to Reduce Your Risk and Protect Your Brain as You Age“ HelpGuide. HelpGuide, September 2015. 

Woodruff, Mandi. “Here’s Why Bilingual People Make Better Financial Choices.” BusinessInsider. BusinessInsider, 25 April 2012.



Thank you!

Sella Lametta ♡

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