Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Projects
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
Our Life | Наше життя February | Лютий 2021 29 Science has substantiated the fact that the brain benefits from mastering more than one language. Evidence of this can be seen even in the early months of a child’s life. Babies, even before they are physically able to use language, can identify and distinguish linguistic sounds in different languages. This actually puts them ahead of their monolingual peers on the language-learning path and also promotes professional and social success as they mature into adulthood. Multilingual children frequently have better executive functioning skills compared to those of their monolingual counterparts. This is likely a result of frequent language switching: speaking with their parents in one language and then switching to another language with a friend. Indeed, this switching mechanism improves concentration, aids in processing information, and improves multitasking as well as the ability to memorize. An additional benefit of growing up in a multilingual household is that it gives children a better understanding of where their parents came from, their culture, and their values. This, in turn, forges a stronger family bond. Moreover, children develop a natural cultural sensitivity, and this promotes a deeper understanding of diverse cultures. Being exposed to different grammar and structures of language at an early age has other advantages. An important aspect of this is that languages reinforce one another. For example, once you master more than one language, your brain finds it easier to pick up another. There is also scientific evidence that learning the fundamentals (grammar) of a foreign language even leads to improvement in written and listening skills in English. Additional scientific evidence shows that the brain thrives on learning things that are new and complex. Being multilingual alters the structure of the brain: it enhances memory and can even defer dementia by an average of five years. In the job market, being fluent in more than one language can improve your chances of securing the position you may be seeking. You probably already have better communication skills than others applying for the same position, and your multilingual brain increases your ability to adapt to numerous social and professional situations. The take-home lesson here is that learning another language may be difficult but is well worth the effort. It is never too late to start, so go for it! Share this article with those who may not realize the vast benefits of being multilingual. I end this column with a word of thanks to all the parents, teachers, mentors, and organizations that continue to cultivate the Ukrainian language and culture. And finally and most gratefully, a personal and heartfelt DIAKUIU, MAMO I TATU (THANKS, MOM AND DAD) for teaching me this and other important life lessons that have made life better and more interesting. Ihor Magun , MD, FACP OUR HEALTH Mamo i Tatu
Page load link
Go to Top