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Speaking more than one language makes you smarter
Highlights
A new study by the Annals of Neurology at the University of Edinburgh shows that learning a second language enriches the brain. In fact,
A new study by the Annals of Neurology at the University of Edinburgh shows that learning a second language enriches the brain. In fact, it improves everything from reading and verbal fluency to overall intelligence levels, according to tests conducted on 262 individuals. Learning a second language is a mental training, a work-out for the brain that makes it more powerful.
The study also suggests that learning a second language could slow down the loss of mental ability as we grow older. Dr Thomas Back from the University of Endinburgh states "Our study shows that bilingualism, even when acquired in adulthood, may benefit the ageing brain." A previous study hinted that being bilingual could delay dementia by several years.
This is good news for India, where polyglots are plentiful. A 2001 linguistic census revealed that 255 million people speak at least two languages and 87.5 million speak three or more. This means that around a quarter of the population has learnt a language other than their mother tongue.
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