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Being Bilingual Benefits

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Whether you had a bilingual upbringing or learned a second language later in life, you are incredibly fortunate. In fact, the benefits of being bilingual may be far greater than you ever imagined.

From the wealth of research surrounding bilingualism, scientists have highlighted distinct advantages for academic performance, mental health, and even future success. This phenomenon has since become known as the bilingual advantage.

The process of learning, knowing and using a second language has a profound effect on the brain. Specifically, they experience greater development in these key areas for organizing and processing speech:

Auditory Cortex - receives auditory stimuli and sends it to the Wernicke 's area
Wernicke 's Area - processes language …show more content…

7 Key Benefits of Being Bilingual

1. Greater Cognitive Skills

Bilingualism has been seen to enhance essential brain functions for focusing on demanding mental tasks. Then when it comes to creativity and problem-solving, studies have shown a distinct advantage for children who speak two languages.

It 's believed that their brains can process and sort through information more efficiently than monolingual individuals. Since they must subconsciously choose words from a certain language, they gain more practice at selecting vital information over trivial details. As a result, bilinguals have the upper hand when it comes to dismissing distractions and multitasking.

Almost unbelievably, there is evidence that suggests bilinguals make more rational decisions. The fact of the matter is, our natural human emotional bias is greatly diminished when using a second language. As we gain emotional distance and shift our focus on to information, we find ourselves performing more rational responses.

2. Reduced Cognitive Damage Through …show more content…

This makes you more aware of language, and the ways it can be structured and manipulated. These skills can make you a more effective communicator and a sharper editor and writer. Language speakers also develop a better ear for listening, since they’re skilled at distinguishing meaning from discreet sounds.

7. Greater Perception of the World

One of the best benefits of being bilingual is a great understanding of yourself and others. Even without traveling, your perception of the world around you is heightened. Believe it or not, bilingual may even perceive greater variations of color than monolinguals.

It 's even common for bilinguals to adopt different characteristics as they speak different languages. Many have even admitted to feeling different about themselves and acting differently according to these languages.

One study found that changing of self-perception, or "Frame-shifting", is far more prevalent in second language speakers. Those fluent in two languages were seen to perceive themselves differently as they spoke each one. Whatsmore, even adverts in different languages had different

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