Mon Esprit Partagé, My Two Minds

Wonderful article from New Scientist that pulls together recent findings of the cognitive advantages of bilingualism. According to studies highlighted in the feature, being able to speak two languages improves mental flexibility and cognitive focus and, as a brain exercise, it creates 'cognitive reserve,' a kind of mental padding that cushions the mind against age-related decline. Most interesting of all, the article highlights that there is also increasing evidence that speaking a second language may have a profound effect on behaviour and memory. One of the researchers quoted suggests that bilinguals use two mental channels, one for each language, like two different minds.