Audrey Livingstone

In an increasingly globalized world, one would easily conclude that knowing more than one language is incredibly useful.  However, there are those who remain under the somewhat dated assumption the difficulties of educating children and/or young adults in a second language outweigh the benefits of achieving and using fluency.  Recent medical research and studies prove this incorrect.  The value and benefits of bilingualism are great, and the demand for bilingualism is growing with the rise in the globalized nature of the work world.

Before exploring bilingualism’s benefits, there are a few minor worries and misconceptions concerning it worth addressing.  Firstly, many parents believe rearing bilingual children causes delayed language development.  Secondly, parents assume learning two languages at once causes language confusion.  There is no scientific evidence either of these things is true.  Annick De Houwer states, “There is no scientific evidence to date that hearing two or more languages leads to delays or disorders in language acquisition.”

Children who take longer to begin speaking and mix both languages in speech are not linguistically confused or delayed.  On the contrary, they are showing mastery of their languages through what is called code-switching (the ability to switch from one language to another in conversation).  And what is often perceived as linguistic delay is merely a child taking longer than average to begin speaking fluently and develop in either one or both languages.  True language delay refers only to significant difficulties with linguistic development.

So, with these most common objections dismissed scientifically, identification and exploration of the value and benefits of bilingualism can begin.  Recent scientific studies have shown being bilingual not only improves cognitive functions related to language but also other areas of the brain.  Bilingualism literally makes you smarter.  For example, studies conducted among a group of monolingual and bilingual young children have proven bilingual children have stronger, more developed executive functions.  The executive function is a “command system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning, solving problems and performing various other mentally demanding tasks.”  So, a more developed executive function allows for better multi-tasking, a stronger ability to ignore distractions, and the like.

In addition, bilingualism makes for someone who is more aware of their surroundings.  Usually, someone who is raised to be bilingual speaks one language with one parent and the second with the other parent.  This requires a constant back-and-forth of two languages in everyday life, which in turn requires more awareness of small changes in one’s immediate environment.  Now, this effect is lessened with those who are not necessarily raised to be bilingual, who may have learned a second language in middle school or high school years.  In that case, said individual is most likely limited to speaking his or her second language for a very small amount of time every day, which generally lessens cognitive effects of bilingualism across the board.

Another extremely important advantage bilinguals possess is the delay of the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s.  Dr. Ellen Bialystok summarizes this in the following manner: “It is rather like a reserve tank in a car.  When you run out of fuel, you can keep going for longer because there is a bit more in the safety tank.”  Adults who remain bilingual have greater cognitive “reserve,” which is what staves off degenerative mental conditions.  The mind remains stronger and more aware later in life for bilinguals.

Bilingualism also opens the door for greater cultural awareness, which is definitely an asset in this day and age.  Bilingual (and multilingual) Americans have the ability to strengthen the nation’s international competitiveness.  This extends to areas such as the economy, politics, and education.  Reaching across different cultural and language barriers is crucial for any nation, but especially America, since the amount of immigrants increases year by year (especially Spanish-speaking immigrants).  The United States would benefit tremendously from young adults entering the work world who speak more than one language.  This cultural awareness not only benefits America and its international standing and relations but also the individuals themselves.  Cultivating knowledge and appreciation of other countries, their language, and their culture makes for a more all-around aware and intellectual individual.

Aside from cognitive and work benefits, bilingualism can have profound personal effects as well.  I have experienced this myself.  I began studying French almost three and a half years ago during my freshmen year of high school.  During my second year, I began to cultivate a deep interest in the language and culture about halfway through my second year of taking the class.  This interest grew throughout the next year, and since then has provided me with many amazing opportunities and new friends and relationships I never would have acquired had I not begun studying French.

My most recent experience concerning French was the Virginia Governor’s French Academy, of which I took part in this past summer for three weeks.  It was an extensive, competitive, and intimidating application process, but the benefits far outweigh that small imposition.  This Academy consisted of sixty Virginian high school students, all ages sixteen and seventeen.  For three weeks, we all spoke nothing but French — quite a daunting task for those who only spent about forty-five minutes daily in a classroom speaking basic French.  However, it ended up being one of the best experiences of my entire life thus far.  I had so much fun and made countless new friends who share my interests and passions.

It was incredible to see a group of young people come together and cultivate their interest for the French language, lifestyle, and culture.  Over the course of the three weeks, we took five classes: Contemporary France (modern politics and current events), Belgian History and Culture, Québécois History and Culture, Arabic Language and Culture, and French Phonetics and Linguistics.  All of these courses were conducted in French and expanded on our knowledge of international issues, goings on and such.  My cultural awareness was cultivated during my time at the Academy and that has impacted me greatly since then.

I believe many Americans live in a sort of bubble.  Even if America is the most powerful and successful country on the planet, that does not give us the right to be ignorant concerning other nations and cultures.  Up until learning my second language, I didn’t care to know anything on an international scale.  I live in America.  I am an American.  Why did I need to know anything about, say, European or Asian countries, cultures, etc.?   It didn’t make sense to me until my intellect and passions began to change.

This was partly due to a missions trip I took part in to Québec, Canada.  I was able to efficiently communicate with a Francophone community, which I not only thoroughly enjoyed because I love the French language, but also because I was able to use that in a godly way.  Reaching out to the people of Québec through missions was only really possible and effective because of my French.  I am able to now enjoy it not only on an emotional and intellectual level, but on a spiritual level as well.  Imagine how much more effective missions work would be if more Americans could reach across language barriers more so than we can right now!

In fact, imagine how much more effective you as an individual could be if you were more cultured.  The initial challenge of learning a second language is such a small imposition compared to its benefits.  If you took interest in another language, a real interest in it, learned it well and did something with it later in life, I believe you would be very pleasantly surprised.  Whether that involves working for the government, the schooling system, in the missions field, etc., I firmly believe everyone would greatly benefit from bilingualism on an intellectual, societal, and personal level.

Bibliography

“Benefits of Being Bilingual.” http://www.cal.org/earlylang/benefits/benefits_of_being_bilingual.html.

“Benefits of Being Bilingual: Two Languages May Delay Alzheimer’s Disease.” http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/02/benefits-of-being-bilingual_n_1396671.html.

“The Bilingual Advantage.” http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/science/31conversation.html.

“Bilinguals in the United States.” http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-bilingual/201205/bilinguals-in-the-united-states.

“Raising Bilingual Children: Common Parental Concerns and Current Research.” http://webdev.cal.org/development/resources/digest/digest_pdfs/RaiseBilingChildi.pdf.

“Why Bilinguals Are Smarter.” http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/18/opinion/sunday/the-benefits-of-bilingualism.html?_r=1&.