The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/961437
In its first meeting of 2018, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Modern Languages looked at emerging research in neurology and other disciplines indicating that multilingualism is good for brain health. Dr Thomas Bak of the University of Edinburgh is a leading researcher in the field, whose studies regularly make the front pages of the national press. He is working with Dr Dina Mehmedbegovic of UCL (University College London) on the concept of the Healthy Linguistic Diet, arguing that we should exercise our brains using languages in order to maintain cognitive health, just as we exercise our bodies for physical health (see page 13 for their article on the subject). The protective effects range from delaying the onset of dementia to quicker recovery for stroke victims. In order to benefit, practice is more important than fluency. Professors Bencie Woll and Li Wei, of UCL, are leading the British Academy's Special Research Project that focuses on a review of existing research, and a survey of public attitudes to language learning, to address key questions about the cognitive benefits of 6 The Linguist Vol/57 No/2 2018 www.ciol.org.uk NEWS & EDITORIAL language learning. Their survey of multilinguals indicates some benefits in social and affective cognition, inter-cultural understanding, creativity and executive function. Their literature review highlights exciting research which suggests that language learning helps improve first-language literacy, and that when the language being learnt uses a different script, maths skills are also developed. The potential implications for policy matters are significant. If more people could delay the onset of dementia through language learning, the social and economic impact would be great. The annual bill for dementia care in the UK is more than £23 billion, and rising. More research is needed, in particular studies with English speakers who are learning a foreign language, but this is tantalising evidence that language skills bring a host of benefits that could have implications for policy and practice in education, health and society. Philip Harding-Esch works on behalf of the British Council to support the APPG on Modern Languages. TL Philip Harding-Esch reports on the recent cross-party meeting looking at how the health benefits of multilingualism could impact on public policy Inside parliament What is the All-Party Parliamentary Group? The APPG on Modern Languages meets six times a year to discuss a wide range of issues relating to languages and their place in the policy discussions of the day. It also acts to gather evidence and write to ministers and other key figures, when the need arises, to draw attention to key issues. The APPG's stated purpose is to explore the educational, skills-related, employment, competitive and cultural benefits of learning and using languages throughout the UK; provide a parliamentary forum for information exchange and consultation; and encourage and support policies and action improving the take-up of languages in schools, further and higher education, in the workplace and in the community. The current Chair is Nia Griffith MP (Labour), with Co-Chair Baroness Coussins (Crossbench). The Vice-Chairs are Sir David Amess MP (Conservative), Lord Dykes (Crossbench), Tonia Antoniazzi MP (Lab) and Baroness Garden (Liberal Democrat). © SHUTTERSTOCK