PERSONAL SPECIAL Why Multilinguals Are
More Creative And Have Sharper Minds
Good news multilinguals,
if you haven’t had the chance to step into the creative world or try your hand
in business, maybe it’s time that you consider doing so just because you have
the sheer advantage to excel in it. Being conversant in multiple languages not
only makes you sound cool likeJason
Bourne, it also makes you more creative and have a
sharper mind. Here’s why:
1.Enhanced Memory
There are definitely times
when we suffer mental blocks and can’t remember an English word we want to
use and for most of us, it’s probably the only main language we speak. But for
a multilingual, that struggle is multiplied especially when they need to use
the right word, grammar rules and structure when shifting in culture and
context. So it is no surprise that multilinguals are blessed with better
working memory than monolinguals.
2.Better Creative Process
According to a team of
experts in Europe, they had concluded that being multilingual helps your brain
develop more neuronal connections. By learning a new language, your brain is
being worked like a muscle, stimulating and developing more neuronal webs which
can lead to a higher capacity for generating more creative processes.
Medical Daily reported on a
research done to observe 120 9-year-old students. Half were monolinguals and
the other were bilinguals. The children were then tested on problem
solving and creative thinking. The results? The children who could speak more
than one language scored better at the tests. In terms of creative thinking,
the bilingual children demonstrated a difference in the level of
detail and richness in description.
3.Better Problem-Solving Skills
Research conducted at the
American University of Sharjah had shown that multilinguals approach the same
problems with different perspectives compared to monolinguals. This is due to
the practice of being exposed to different cultures when learning a new
language, therefore they are more open-minded when faced with a situation.
Studies have shown that
multilinguals are better at filtering out unwanted information because they use
more of the executive function of the brain. By doing so, they are efficient in
focusing on the problem and yet bring about new perspectives to tackle the
problem at different angles.
4.Masters at Multi-tasking
To be able to handle twice or
thrice as many words efficiently, the brain has no other choice but to use more
focus and resources to be able to switch between languages quickly. Research
has shown that because of this, multilinguals are able to switch between
multiple tasks and shift their attention quicker than monolinguals.
Not only that, but because
the brain of a multilingual has to look out for mistakes and errors during the
task of switching languages, this would also be applied efficiently to reduce
errors when switching between tasks.
5.Sharp Decision Making Skills
A study in Chicago University
had revealed that multilinguals are more likely to make the right decisions as
compared to monolinguals. Being able to speak multiple languages allow
multilinguals to see the bigger picture and to understand more complex
situations better.
The study also showed that
when we speak a different language with a less familiar language, we tend to be
less biased when making a decision. What this means is that we become more
rational when we speak in a second or third language which in turn, helps us to
make a better decision.
Multilingualism makes you smarter
Concrete evidence have shown
us that being a multilingual can bring about many benefits and as proven in the
workforce, it can also be an advantage when searching for a job. Job
applications require us to fill in the types of languages we speak as being
multilingual is seen to be an asset by employers.
Being a multilingual truly
has its perks, so why not get started on a new language right away?
LIM KAIREN
http://www.lifehack.org/419252/why-multilinguals-are-more-creative-and-have-sharper-minds?ref=mail&mtype=daily_newsletter&mid=20160727_customized&uid=687414&email=drmsriram%40yahoo.com&action=click
No comments:
Post a Comment