Is bilingualism good for your brain? Montreal researchers are seeing tangible results

Noah Sweeney’s journey to learning French began at the age of five when he was signed up for hockey and baseball in Quebec City. Growing up as an anglophone in a predominantly francophone environment, he faced numerous challenges in grasping the complexities of the French language. Despite the difficulties, Sweeney remained committed to his French education, continuing to learn throughout elementary and high school, university, and now in his job where he interacts with customers in French on a daily basis.

“It’s just a harder language to grasp because of all the rules,” Sweeney admits. “It was definitely a huge struggle, especially growing up in Quebec City where there’s only a small pocket of English-speaking people. But there’s no downside to being bilingual. Most of my francophone friends are able to speak two languages, and it’s something I’m grateful for.”

Recent studies conducted by Montreal researchers have highlighted the cognitive benefits of bilingualism. Speaking two languages not only helps maintain brain health following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis but also makes the brain more efficient at any age. Stephen Aronson, who speaks English, French, and is now learning Spanish, believes that expanding neurological pathways through language learning is essential for cognitive development.

Dr. Denise Klein, a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at McGill University, emphasizes the advantages of acquiring a second language at a younger age. A study conducted by researchers from the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, the University of Ottawa, and the University of Zaragoza revealed that bilingual participants exhibited increased efficiency of communication between brain regions, with those learning a second language at a younger age showing even stronger connectivity.

Another study conducted by Concordia University suggests that bilingualism could delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by up to five years and have a protective effect on the brain as it ages. Kristina Coulter, the lead author of the study, explains that bilingual individuals showed greater brain maintenance compared to monolingual adults, particularly in the size of the hippocampus, a region often affected in Alzheimer’s cases.

While the benefits of bilingualism are clear, Coulter emphasizes that it’s never too late to start learning a new language. Whether you begin at a young age or later in life, the cognitive advantages of speaking two languages are numerous. As research continues to uncover the positive impact of bilingualism on brain health, individuals like Noah Sweeney serve as a testament to the lifelong benefits of embracing linguistic diversity.