Brain Changes in Language

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Learning anything can cause your brain to react and develop in many ways, and language is no exception. The brain has a remarkable ability to adapt and grow. Language learning is a prime example of neuroplasticity in action. Our brain is also exercised whenever we speak and read language. Exploring the science of linguistics uncovers many things, such as the science of language and the cognitive and interpersonal benefits of bilingualism.
Before explaining the benefits and interesting facts of language, it is important to explain how learning anything works in the first place. Did you know the brain makes connections and changes whenever you learn something new? Neurons, the electrically active nerve cells in the brain, create connections called synapses. This is responsible for memory collection and learning. Synaptic plasticity, the brain's remarkable capability to adjust and refine connections between neurons, plays an important role in the process of language learning. As people are learning a new language, the intricate network of synaptic connections within their brains goes through many adaptations and refinements. These adjustments are important to enhancing the encoding and retrieval of linguistic information, including vocabulary, grammar, and linguistic structures. Through this dynamic process, the brain effectively integrates new linguistic knowledge into its existing cognitive framework, facilitating improved language comprehension and expression.
Native languages come easy to us, as if it’s all we’ve ever known. So how do babies figure it out? Infant language learning occurs before parents even realize. Babies can learn a language quickly, at six months the child can learn the sounds that make up words in the language they’re exposed to. By three years old, toddlers can make conversation with people. As an adult, merely listening to a new language doesn’t produce as dramatic results. When hearing a foreign language, someone may be able to hear the different sounds but their brain will not be rapidly altered. This is why learning a language is so difficult later in life. Does this mean you can’t learn a language the older you get? While it is certainly quicker for a baby to learn a language, learning a new language isn't impacted much by your age. Our brains are flexible, so picking up a new language can make a difference, no matter your age.
The benefits of bilingualism are greater than you think; research has found learning a new language fosters cognitive ability. Learning multiple languages helps the brain better process information. A theory on why our brains get stronger through language learning is that it requires your focus. It is quite difficult to focus on a new language while keeping your native language from interfering with your thoughts. It is found that bilingual people are able to keep dementia symptoms away for four to six years. This is impressive, considering the fact that the best dementia medications only keep symptoms off for around a year. As stated before, it’s never too late to learn a language, and studying can be beneficial for older people. Bilingualism’s benefits start early, researchers finding these positive effects for infants as young as seven months.
Beyond cognitive benefits, bilingualism helps empathy and a nuanced understanding of perspectives. Bilingual individuals have a heightened awareness of others' perspectives. This is because when people speak different languages, it shows that different people can hold different mental states about the same event. Culture plays into this point. When someone learns a new language, studying the culture is often a part of it. Learning about other cultures is a great way to understand and be sensitive to other perspectives. The effects of bilingualism on empathy also apply to children. Research finds that bilingual children often score higher in emotional and cultural intelligence. Learning a new language opens up a whole new world of understanding, connection, and compassion.
Everyone has been impacted by language in some way, including people who communicate through sign language. Even this language has effects on the brain. Individuals who use sign language are shown to have stronger activation in the visual and memory. While braille is not a language, it also is a great example of how humans process linguistic information. It would be assumed that sign language speakers process language differently than verbal speakers, since touch senses are used rather than visual senses. Research has shown that, while blind people are using their sense of touch when reading braille, their brains still display activity in the same visual region that seeing people use.
Language has impacted me, it being one of my favorite interests. The most interesting language to me is Japanese. Many people become interested in Japanese because of anime, but the music is what intrigued me. It began with listening to songs; I was frustrated that I couldn’t naturally sing to the lyrics, and if I looked up the romanized lyrics then I wouldn’t be able to pronounce it. I was compelled to do research so I could sing my favorite songs. Now I have an adequate understanding of the language’s pronunciation. It is especially helpful that this understanding is constantly being reinforced whenever I listen to the J-Pop or VOCALOID genre. I have memorized so many Japanese lyrics that I’ve gradually started to pick up the meaning of words— similar to how babies are exposed to language over and over and so they begin to pick up meanings.
In conclusion, the science of linguistics reveals valuable insights into language learning and the advantages of bilingualism. The brain’s ability to adapt and grow is something to be admired. Gaining an understanding of the cognitive processes involved in language learning and appreciating the interpersonal benefits of speaking multiple languages, we gain an appreciation for the power of language in shaping our brains and enhancing our lives.