I woke up thinking in Spanish the other day but I kept substituting the Portuguese verb 'estar' in place of the Spanish equivalent conjugations. Obviously these two languages are so closely related that it's hard to keep them together - or rather, separate - in my head. Unfortunately, this maddening occurrence happens regularly to people who speak more than one language leading to this popular meme making its way into every polyglot's grasp:
A popular meme that circulated the internet circa 2020. Byelingual: when you speak two languages but start losing vocabulary in both of them.
Have you ever wondered how all this worked though? Good thing you're not alone. The polyglot brain has intrigued researchers for years, with ongoing studies shedding light on its unique characteristics and capabilities. Individuals who can communicate in five or more languages, known as polyglots, have become subjects of interest due to their exceptional language skills. Contrary to unfounded theories suggesting a specific predisposition based on gender, sexual orientation, or handedness, cognitive neuroscientists like Ev Fedorenko from MIT aim to uncover the true nature of the polyglot brain.
One fascinating aspect of the polyglot brain is its language processing network, primarily situated in the left hemisphere of the brain, encompassing regions within the frontal and temporal lobes. Recent studies, such as the one conducted by Fedorenko's lab in 2021, have revealed intriguing findings. Polyglots exhibit less brain activity within their language network when listening to their native language compared to monolingual individuals. This discovery suggests that polyglots' brains operate more efficiently and effectively in processing multiple languages simultaneously.
The polyglot brain also has increased gray matter density in specific brain regions crucial for language processing and executive control. This phenomenon suggests that bilingual or multilingual individuals may possess a brain structure that is not only efficient but optimized for managing multiple languages. The heightened gray matter density in these regions indicates that the brain adapts to the demands of processing and controlling multiple languages, potentially resulting in enhanced cognitive abilities related to language skills. Such structural changes may reflect the brain's plasticity in response to the constant need to switch between languages, inhibit interference, and navigate the complexities of multiple linguistic systems. This adaptation showcases the remarkable flexibility and efficiency of the brain in accommodating the unique challenges and cognitive demands associated with being multilingual.
Science also suggests that being multilingual may offer cognitive benefits that extend to potentially delaying age-related cognitive decline, including conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia. The cognitive demands of constantly switching between languages and suppressing interference from irrelevant languages may play a role in building cognitive reserve and enhancing brain plasticity. This heightened cognitive flexibility and mental agility associated with multilingualism could serve as a form of brain training that helps maintain cognitive function and neural health as individuals age. Studies have indicated that bilingual or multilingual individuals may experience a delayed onset of cognitive decline compared to monolingual individuals, highlighting the protective effects of speaking multiple languages on brain health in later life
The journey to understanding the polyglot brain may unlock insights into how humans acquire speech and language skills. Exploring the neural mechanisms and adaptations that occur in polyglots' brains could provide valuable information for language acquisition research and cognitive neuroscience as a whole. By studying the brains of polyglots like Susanna Zaraysky, who discovered her linguistic talent during a high school exchange program in France, researchers pave the way for a deeper comprehension of the complexities of multilingualism. Through meticulous research and innovative approaches, the mysteries of polyglots' exceptional language abilities are gradually being unveiled, offering valuable insights into the intricacies of the human brain's language processing capabilities. As brain science progresses, we gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and adaptability of the human mind when faced with the challenges and wonders of multilingualism.