Speaking two languages would help prevent dementia later in life.
- Researchers have shown that being bilingual helps fight cognitive decline as you age.
- The benefits are greater if the second language is spoken early in life or between the ages of 30 and 65.
- The advantages of being bilingual would be related to appropriate and frequent changes between languages. This would help develop better cognitive control.
More interesting professional opportunities, traveling and exchanging more easily, open-mindedness… Here are some of the many advantages of bilingualism. A German study found another benefit of speaking two languages: it reduces the risk of suffering from dementia as you age.
Dementia: being bilingual is a protective factor
The researchers wanted to assess the impact of bilingualism at different stages of life on cognitive ability and brain structure in the elderly. They brought together 746 people aged 59 to 76. 40% of them had no memory problems, while the others were followed for memory loss or confusion. The volunteers were subjected to tests of vocabulary, memory, attention and calculation. They were also asked if they were bilingual and at what age they spoke their second language on a daily basis.
Individuals who reported using their second language from age 13 to 30 or age 30 to 65 showed higher scores on language, memory, concentration, attention and decision-making abilities compared to those who were not bilingual. These are elements that help slow cognitive decline as we age.
“Bilingualism may act as a protective factor against cognitive decline and dementia. In particular, we observed that speaking two languages on a daily basis, especially in early and middle life, could have a lasting effect on cognition and its neural correlates”wrote the authors in their article published in Neurobiology of aging.
Juggling between two languages develops cognitive skills
Scientists argue that bilinguals’ ability to switch between two languages is the key factor that makes them better at cognitive skills such as multitasking, emotion management and self-control. This protects against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“The benefits of being bilingual do not come from simply knowing the vocabulary and rules of the second language, but rather from appropriate and frequent switching between languages, which requires high cognitive control to inhibit potential interference between languages”the team added.