Bilingualism reconfigures brain attentional networks through neuroplasticity across the lifespan
- V. 19, N. 2 (2020)
- Submitted: Jul 7, 2020
- Published: Aug 27, 2020
- DOI 10.25189/rabralin.v19i2.1558
Abstract
The researcher Dr. Ellen Bialystok presents data about the effect of bilingualism on the brain across lifespan, regarding the relationship between the mastery of more than one language and attentional systems. Bialystok reflects on the lack of agreement on the bilingual advantages of studies with adults, listing the facts and myths about the theme, such as the problems with the definition of bilingual, the different age groups of participants, the different contexts investigated, the limitations of the tasks and the models of executive functions and the difficult replicability of studies, which lead investigations to a great controversy. The researcher points out that, even with little consensus, the effects of bilingualism on the brain are related to the reconfiguration of attentional systems. The researcher suggests that bilingualism may be a source of neuroplasticity, which re-adapts these systems, resulting in differences in the executive functions found in research in recent years, which are easy to identify and verify, especially in children and elderly bilinguals.
References
DOES Bilingualism Affect Cognitive and Brain Structures? Facts and Fictions. Conferência apresentada por Ellen Bialystok [S.l., s.n], 2020. 1 vídeo (1h39min 00s). Publicado pelo canal da Associação Brasileira de Linguística. Disponível em: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpuqI9pa_5U. Acesso em: 30 jun 2020.
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