Phrasebook
Using languages to fight Alzheimer's
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DE
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It always knows at least
two
terms for
one
thing.
Each of these terms is a feasible option.
Therefore, multilingual people are constantly making decisions.
Their brains have practice in choosing between many things.
And this training doesn't just benefit the speech center of the brain.
Many areas of the brain profit from multilingualism.
Language skills also mean better cognitive control.
Of course, language skills will not prevent dementia.
However, in multilingual people the disease progresses slower.
And their brains seem better able to counterbalance the effects.
In language learners symptoms of dementia appear in a weaker form.
Confusion and forgetfulness are less serious.
Therefore, old and young profit equally from language acquisition.
And: With each language it gets easier to learn a new one.
So, we should all be reaching for the dictionary instead of medicine!