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cover of episode Why speaking multiple languages is good for your brain

Why speaking multiple languages is good for your brain

2025/3/6
logo of podcast What in the World

What in the World
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
F
Frédérique Liégeois
I
Iclal Dagli
V
Victoria Uwonkunda
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Victoria Uwonkunda: 我说八种语言，这源于我的成长经历和生活需要。在肯尼亚，为了生存，我学习了斯瓦希里语和英语；在挪威，为了融入当地社会，我学习了挪威语。每种语言都有其独特的魅力，例如挪威语的动词变化就比法语简单得多。学习语言的过程也让我更加了解不同文化，并提升了我的记忆力和思维能力。我做梦的语言也会根据梦境中出现的人而变化，有时是多种语言的混合，有时是单一的基尼亚尔旺达语。学习语言让我受益匪浅，它不仅帮助我更好地适应不同的生活环境，也让我结识了更多朋友，拓宽了我的视野。 Iclal Dagli: 我从小就热爱学习语言，这源于我的好奇心，并随着时间的推移发展成为我生活中重要的一部分。目前我会说九种语言，正在学习第十种。每种语言都让我更好地理解不同的文化和人群，并提升我的认知能力。学习俄语对我来说曾经非常困难，但我通过听俄语音乐，并与这种语言建立情感联系，最终克服了困难。我认为语言学习的难易程度取决于你的心态，只要你享受学习过程，就不会觉得很难。 Frédérique Liégeois: 研究表明，说多种语言对大脑健康有很多好处。在双语或多语言环境中长大，会引起大脑适应，改变大脑的形状和效率以适应环境。说多种语言的孩子需要专注于一种语言并忽略另一种语言，他们还需要能够根据交谈对象切换语言。这就像一种大脑锻炼，可以提高大脑效率，延缓老年痴呆症的发生，并改善认知功能。在任何年龄学习新语言都有助于保持大脑健康，因为学习新语言会用到大脑中负责记忆和学习的区域。 Lisa: 学习新语言的难易程度取决于多种因素，包括你的母语、目标语言的书写系统、语法结构、发音和学习资源的丰富程度。如果你的母语与目标语言相似，学习起来就会相对容易；反之，则会比较困难。书写系统、语法结构和发音也会影响学习的难易程度。此外，学习资源的丰富程度也至关重要，资源丰富的语言更容易学习。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This introductory chapter sets the stage by defining polyglots and introducing the podcast hosts and guests. It briefly outlines the episode's focus on the experiences and benefits of multilingualism.
  • Polyglots are people who speak more than one language.
  • The podcast will explore the experiences of polyglots.
  • The episode will discuss the benefits of multilingualism for the brain.

Shownotes Transcript

Most people in the world speak more than one language and many countries have more than one official national language. But what is it like living as a polyglot? And what advantages can it bring to your health? Studies have shown that speakers of multiple languages get dementia later and even recover better after a stroke.

BBC journalist Victoria Uwonkunda describes what it was like growing up as a polyglot and how she deals with speaking multiple languages in her daily life. Turkish polyglot Iclal Dagli, who speaks nine languages, tells us how she uses music to learn languages she finds difficult.

Plus, Professor Frédérique Liégeois, a cognitive neuroscientist at University College London, explains the benefits speaking multiple languages has on your brain, and how it could help to maintain your brain health as you get older.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Emily Horler, William Lee Adams, Mora Morrison, Emilia Jansson and Elena Angelides Video Journalists: Beatrice Guzzardi and Adam Chowdhury Editor: Verity Wilde