Lecture: How does multilingualism shape the brain?

Multilingualism is one of the most common forms of lifelong learning, yet we know surprisingly little about its impact on our brains. This lecture presents a new method for investigating multilingual experiences, which looks not only at how many languages a person speaks, but also at the relationships between those languages.

Drawing on various studies, it becomes clear how multilingualism leaves measurable traces in both the structure and functioning of the brain. The lecture also explores how language experiences may influence brain development even before birth. In this way, research into multilingualism offers new insights into how our brain adapts throughout our lives.