Have you ever wondered why learning a new language is not just about words and phrases but a powerful tool for your brain and future? Why Students Should Learn a New Language?

Are You Supercharging Your Memory?

The more languages you know, the faster and more robust your memory will be. Therefore, forgetting things multiple times will remain far away from you. Researchers have found that when we switch between languages, our brain’s memory hub, known as the hippocampus, displays a unique form of control.

Think of it this way: When you speak Hindi but know that someone understands English, you might switch to English for a few sentences. This language juggling happens at home, at work, and throughout the day, giving your hippocampus continuous exercise. The result? Engaging in this mental exercise contributes to maintaining a robust memory over an extended duration.

Each time we speak any language, a substantial portion of the brain becomes active, strengthening our memory in the process.

But how do our minds work when we learn or speak multiple languages? How does this strengthen memory? What is the connection between language, brain, and memory? Let us know the answers to these questions in this blog.

How Does Our Brain Understand Any Language?

The language center of the brain helps in understanding any language. There are two language centers present in our brain. Both of these are in the left part of the brain. Their job is to understand different languages. In the event of brain injury affecting the left side, our language and speaking abilities can also be impacted. 

Research reveals that when individuals read a word, two processes take place simultaneously within the brain. One process is called ‘bottom-up’ – by which the brain recognizes the letters and the other process is called ‘top-down’ – by which the brain understands the meaning of those words with the help of memory.

What is the Connection Between Language and Memory?

When your brain understands language, it shares that information with another part called the cerebral cortex. Then, two important parts of the brain, the memory hub (called the hippocampus) and the thinking part (cerebral cortex), talk to each other. They also talk to other parts of the brain. Then neurons in further parts of the brain exchange information with each other. This teamwork helps turn what you’ve learned into a memory.

Neuroscientists believe that bilingual people switch between the two languages quickly, so they are adept at multitasking. They are good at doing multiple things at once, handling their feelings, and not having trouble controlling themselves. This helps lower the chances of having issues like dementia or hallucinations which means seeing things that aren’t there when they get older.

So, there you have it! Learning a new language isn’t just about becoming bilingual; it’s about giving your memory a power boost, enhancing your cognitive abilities, and future-proofing your skills. So, start learning that new language today!