Multilingualism: a protective effect against aging?

Aging is a natural phenomenon influenced by a wide variety of factors, such as regular physical activity, regular social interaction, and quality sleep. A recent study has shown that being bilingual or multilingual may also be beneficial.

Aging is associated with 𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 and deterioration of brain structures. 𝐂𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 is known to 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 and the development of neurodegenerative diseases. This reserve is maintained through social interactions, 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, such as language learning, and even the use of technology. A recent study has provided interesting insights into the 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠.

This study, published in 𝑁𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐴𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 and involving 86,149 patients from 27 European countries, showed that multilingualism may be a 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠, while being monolingual may increase the risk of accelerated aging. In addition to being a source of constant learning, using multiple languages consolidates 𝐞𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 and strengthens individuals' 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐬 and adapt to changing environments.

In addition to protecting against aging, being bilingual or multilingual 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬, which has an impact on students' academic performance. It also leads to the development of 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 and is often an advantage 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.