Bilingualism And The Better Brain
Author: Kendra Wormald, Reg. CASLPO Speech Language Pathologist
Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Table of Contents
Types of Bilingualism
Code Switching vs Code Mixing
What is Bilingualism
The term bilingualism is often interchanged with the term multilingualism. Both suggest knowledge of more than one language. Bilingualism is a type of multilingualism, which has no set cut off of the number of languages a person may know.
Types of Bilingualism
Simultaneous Bilingualism: When a person learns two language from birth or early infancy
Sequential Bilingualism: When a person learns a second language after having proficiency in their first language. There may be varying degrees of proficiency in each language
Receptive Bilingualism: The ability to understand and comprehend two languages proficient however production of speech in one language may be difficulty
Productive Bilingualism: The ability to speak and produce language in two different languages. This may involve code-switching or the use of characteristics from both languages within the same conversation
Balanced Bilingualism: Having equal proficiency in both languages
Dominant Bilingualism: Being more proficient in one language over the other
It’s important to note that these types are not mutually exclusive. Types of bilingualism are influenced by your environment, use and comfortability of the language(s) over time.
Code Switching vs Code Mixing
Code Switching: Switching between two or more languages within a single conversation
Example: “Papa, sing me une comptin” (Exchanging one word)
Code Mixing: Incorporating elements of one language with the same sentence Example: “Quoi c’est, ton maman’s nom?” (French words, English syntax)
Are These Bad To Do?
Our brains often do this to compensate for lack of vocabulary; it’s inevitable in the process of learning a language. The impact of code-switching often depends on the context and the individuals involved. It is not inherently a bad thing and can be used intentionally to be useful.
Some examples of when code switching can be used intentionally:
When quoting someone
An idea makes more sense in one language
When using cultural specific terms or references
The Bilingual Advantage
Previously working in pediatrics, I’ve frequently heard parents’ concerns about their child getting confused and not developing either language effectively. However, research suggests that bilingual speakers have an advantage in language processing and have been seen to outperform monolingual speakers in areas of language processing, reaction time and producing relevant linguistic information which continues across the lifespan (Lazar, 2018).
Benefits of Bilingualism
(Bialystok, 2001; Kim et al., 2019; St. Augustine College, 2024)
Bilingualism Increases Brain Activity: Research demonstrates that sustained exposure to a complex and complicated activity enhances the creation and connections of neurons
Improved Problem Solving Abilities: Research shows a bilingual brain excels at problem solving, creativity and pattern recognition. Cognitive flexibility is enhanced through bilingualism brain requirements thus developing skills in perspective taking and innovative nuanced solutions. This directly carries over to mathematics and word problems
Bilingualism has been found to directly delay dementia symptoms and enhance cognitive reserve: Cognitive reserve is your brain’s ability to improvise and find alternative ways to get the same job accomplished. Brain networks required for bilingualism are used to compensate for those that become damaged throughout aging and dementia (Marian and Shook, 2012). Bialystok, Craik and Freedman (2007), found that bilingual adults showed symptoms of Alzheimer's disease 4-5 years later than monolinguals, despite similar brain pathology observed.
Increases Socio-emotional Development Throughout Life: Bilingualism supports relations and strong connection with family, community and culture which help develop identity as well as the ability to make connections in a diverse society
Improved Memory: Working memory, that is the ability to hold a limited amount of short term information that is ready to use immediately
Increased Mental Agility and Flexibility: Being bilingual enhances your ability to switch between tasks and ideas efficiently. This skill translates over into an ability to adapt to new environments and learning new skills, which are highly sought out characteristics of an employee.
Enhance Executive Functioning: Focused attention, remembering instructions and being able to manage multiple tasks are skills often well developed in those who are bilingual. These skills are required to manage multiple language systems. These skills generalize to well developed problem-solving and decision making skills as well as the ability to block out irrelevant information. This research provides evidence that those who experience ADHD may benefit from learning another language as executive functioning is often directly impacted.
Cultural Awareness: Increased opportunity to learn about various cultures, traditions and values.
Economic Opportunities: Knowledge of one or more languages is an asset in multiple workplaces and positions, particularly international job opportunities
Communication Skills: Increased listening skills and the ability to identify non-verbal cues
New Language Learning: Knowing more than one language supports the success of learning another
Challenges of Bilingualism
Maintaining Each Language: Learning a new language will take a lot of time and focus. Despite this, it is crucial to continue to use and experience your other known languages in order to sustain and continue their development, across different contexts.
Initial Language Acquisition Delay: Although later on in childhood they catch up to their peers, at times bilingual children may experience a slight delay in vocabulary development
Social challenges: Connecting with others culturally and linguistically. Feeling pressured to assimilate to a new identify to avoid facing stereotypes d) Fear of code-switching/mixing: This can breakdown communication depending on the listening and context
High Cognitive Load: Translating and choosing a specific language can be taxing and exhausting
Bilingualism and Accent
A common school of thought is that proficiency in a language means being able to not have an accent associated with the other language - this is not true. In fact, having a ‘foreign’ accent in a language is the norm for bilinguals. Not having this accent is actually the exception (Grosjean, F., 2011). The presence of accent may increase when code switching/mixing occurs. Aspects of accent refer to stress, intonation, pitch, syllable stress, pronunciation and articulation of each individual speech sound.
How to Support Bilingual Development
Exposure and immersion in language has been found to be the most effective way to learn language. Example: Books, movies, music, language programs, communities
In addition to this, you must work with the language. For example, if you hear a new word: learn how to write it out and pronounce it, the definition, synonym and antonym, use it in at least two sentences and aim to use it within the same in natural conversation
Start as early as you can. There is a critical language learning period within the early teen years and learning language later in life may take longer or require more support. However, it IS possible
Practice Practice Practice: Be intentional with your time, spending at least 15 minutes a day to practice.
Don’t Focus on Errors: It’s inevitable, this is a normal part of learning language. It is important to be intentional with your reflection - what went well, how could it be better?
Conclusion
Being bilingual is an asset to not only yourself and family but also to our society. The advantages of bilingualism made a compelling case to learn and support proficiency of more than one language. Due to the brain’s ability to change and learn throughout the lifespan due to neuroplasticity, it is never too late to learn a new language.
References
Bialystok, E. (2001). Bilingualism in development: Language, literacy, and cognition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Bialystok, E., Craik F.I., Freedman, M. (2006). Bilingualism as a protection against the onset of symptoms of dementia. Neuropsychologia. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2006.10.009.
Gunner, J., (2024). What does bilingual Mean?
https://blog.rosettastone.com/what-does-bilingual-mean/
Grosjean F., Bilinguals and accents.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/life-bilingual/201101/bilinguals-and accents
Kim S., Jeon, S.G, Nam, Y., Kim H.S., Yoo, D.H., Moon, M. (2019) Bilingualism for Dementia: Neurological mechanisms associated with functional and structural changes in the brain. Front Neurosci doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01224.
Lazar, M. (2018). The bilingual advantage in the global workplace. https://languagemagazine.com/2018/06/07/the-bilingual-advantage-in-the-global-workpl ace/
St. Augustine College (2024). The cognitive benefits of being bilingual. https://www.staugustine.edu/2024/05/30/cognitive-benefits-of-bilingualism/
Zelasko, N., & Antunez, B. (2000). If your child learns in two languages. NationalClearinghouse for Bilingual Education. Retrieved from http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/files/uploads/9/IfYourChild LearnsInTwoLangs_English.pdf
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