Du bist... Baka!! ¿En serio?
There are all these myths out there that perpetuate this downside to being bilingual. Apparently, some people think bilinguals have a subpar vocabulary, and their intelligence is rather lacking, and it's generally just to their detriment. There is no room in the brain for two languages. Except it seems that bilingualism prevents dementia.
Canadian scientists have found astonishing evidence that the lifelong use of two languages can help delay the onset of dementia symptoms by four years compared to people who are monolingual.
Imagine what three languages could do or even four. I can picture it now. People will be rushing to become linguists. Parents will actually teach their children their native tongue. Klingon will become nationally recognized.
As for those myths, I found them on some website, and I can't believe that they even exist. Do people honestly believe that bilinguals have a lesser vocabulary? Please don't make me smack you.
Via Slashdot.
Comments
It's probably only in the U.S. that people think that way. Plenty of people in other countries know more than one language, some more than two. My great-grandfather knew 7 languages!
Posted by: Lisa | January 16, 2007 8:12 PM
I've met two kinds of people. The people whose parents were embarrassed of their native language or just didn't care, so they just didn't teach their children. Then there are the people who just want to learn because it's necessary for their profession or they just love languages.
I met a woman who could speak five. Doesn't beat your grandfather. Not by a long shot. Hell, if I could be trilingual in the next three years I'd consider it a huge goal accomplished.
Posted by: yasmín | January 16, 2007 8:25 PM