会双语或多语言的大脑更健康

YouTube 英文 May 21, 2025

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¿Hablas español? Parlez-vous français? 你会说中文吗？

你会说西班牙文吗？会说法文吗？你会说中文吗？

If you answered, "sí", "oui" or "会" and you're watching this in English, chances are you belong to the world's bilingual and multilingual majority.

如果你回答了 “sí”、“oui”或“会”，而你正用英文观看这部影片，那么你很可能就是全球多数会说两种或多种语言的人之一。

belong to 属于……的一类：指某物被归类到某个类别、群体中。

bi·lin·gual /ˌbaɪˈlɪŋɡwəl/ able to speak two languages equally well 会说两种语言的

multi·lin·gual /ˌmʌltiˈlɪŋɡwəl/ speaking or using several different languages 说（或用）多种语言的

ma·jor·ity /məˈdʒɔːrəti/ the largest part of a group of people or things 大部分；大多数

And besides having an easier time traveling or watching movies without subtitles, knowing two or more languages means that your brain may actually look and work differently than those of your monolingual friends.

除了旅行更方便、看电影不用字幕之外，懂得多种语言也表示你的大脑可能在运作和结构上，和那些只会一种语言的人有所不同。

have an easier time 过得轻松些

✨ 拓展例句：

Do you have an easier time doing difficult tasks earlier or later in the day? 完成困难的任务时，是在一天早些时候容易还是晚些时候？

sub·title /ˈsʌbtaɪtl/ （电影或电视上的）字幕

mono·lin·gual /ˌmɑːnəˈlɪŋɡwəl/ speaking or using only one language 单语的；只用一种语言的

So what does it really mean to know a language?

那么，会一种语言到底代表什么意思？

Language ability is typically measured in two active parts, speaking and writing, and two passive parts, listening and reading.

语言能力通常分成两种主动技能：说话和写作，以及两种被动技能：听力与阅读。

meas·ure /ˈmeʒər/ estimate or assess the extent, quality, value or effect of something 评估，估量

✨ 拓展例句：

It is hard to measure teaching ability. 教学能力很难评估。

two active parts 两个主动部分；two passive parts 两个被动部分

While a balanced bilingual has near equal abilities across the board in two languages, most bilinguals around the world know and use their languages in varying proportions.

所谓的「平衡双语者」，在两种语言的能力通常相对平均，但世界上大部分的双语者实际在使用上会有程度不一的差异。

a balanced bilingual 一个均衡使用双语者

near equal abilities 能力几乎相等；near almost几乎；差不多

✨ 拓展例句：

I'm as near certain as can be. 我几乎完全可以确定。

across the board over all 全体，全面的，包括一切地

around the world 世界上，全世界

varying 不同的；变化的

pro·por·tion /prəˈpɔːrʃ(ə)n/ a part or share of a whole 部分；份额

And depending on their situation and how they acquired each language, they can be classified into three general types.

而根据他们学习语言的方式及所处的环境，双语者可以被分为三种类型。

be classified into 被分类为

For example, let's take Gabriella, whose family immigrates to the US from Peru when she's two-years old.

例如，Gabriella 的家庭在她两岁时从秘鲁移民到美国。

im·mi·grate /ˈɪmɪɡreɪt/ to come and live permanently in a country after leaving your own country（从外地）移居；移民

Peru /pəˈruː/ 秘鲁（拉丁美洲国家名）

As a compound bilingual, Gabriella develops two linguistic codes simultaneously, with a single set of concepts, learning both English and Spanish as she begins to process the world around her.

作为「复合型双语者」，她在接触世界的同时，发展出两种语言系统，但只运用一套概念，也就是同时学习英文与西班牙文。

com·pound /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/ formed of two or more parts 复合的

two linguistic codes 两种语言系统；lin·guis·tic /lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪk/ connected with language 语言的

simultaneously /ˌsaɪm(ə)lˈteɪniəsli/ 同时地

a single set of concepts 同一套概念

pro·cess /ˈprɑːses/ handle 处理；Process the world around her 在认知层面处理、理解她周围的世界

Her teenage brother, on the other hand, might be a coordinate bilingual, working with two sets of concepts, learning English in school, while continuing to speak Spanish at home and with friends.

而她青少年的哥哥可能属于「并列型双语者」，他分别建立两套语言与概念系统，在学校学英文，在家里和朋友之间则继续讲西班牙文。

teen·age /ˈtiːneɪdʒ/ between 13 and 19 years old 十几岁的（指13至19岁）；青少年的

on the other hand 另一方面，相反地

co·ord·in·ate /koʊˈɔːrdɪneɪt/ to organize the different parts of an activity and the people involved in it so that it works well 使协调；使相配合；a coordinate bilingual 一名协调双语者

Finally, Gabriella's parents are likely to be subordinate bilinguals who learn a secondary language by filtering it through their primary language.

至于 Gabriella 的父母，很可能是「从属型双语者」，透过自己的母语来学习第二语言。

like·ly（to do sth）probable or expected 可能的；预料的；有希望的

sub·or·din·ate /səˈbɔːrdɪnət/ (to sth) less important than sth else 次要的；subordinate bilingual 从属双语者

fil·ter /ˈfɪltər/ 过滤；（这里的 filter 隐喻了母语像“过滤器”一样，第二语言需要先经过母语系统的加工才能被理解和使用）

Because all types of bilingual people can become fully proficient in a language regardless of accent or pronunciation, the difference may not be apparent to a casual observer.

不过，无论是哪种双语者，都有可能在语言能力上达到高水平，即使口音或发音有所不同，一般人也不太容易分辨出来。

pro·fi·cient /prəˈfɪʃ(ə)nt/ (in/at sth/doing sth) able to do sth well because of training and practice 熟练的；娴熟的；精通的；训练有素的

regardless of treating sth/sb as not being important 不顾；不理会

ac·cent /ˈæksent/ a way of pronouncing the words of a language that shows which country, area or social class a person comes from 口音；腔调；

pro·nun·ci·ation /prəˌnʌnsiˈeɪʃ(ə)n/ the way in which a particular person pronounces the words of a language （某人的）发音

ap·par·ent /əˈpærənt/ (to sb) easy to see or understand, obvious 显而易见；明白易懂；显然

casual observer 漫不经心的旁观者

But recent advances in brain imaging technology have given neurolinguists a glimpse into how specific aspects of language learning affect the bilingual brain.

但随着脑部影像技术的进步，神经语言学家能更清楚观察语言学习如何影响大脑。

brain imaging technology 脑成像技术。它可以通过不同的方法，如核磁共振成像（MRI）、计算机断层扫描（CT扫描）和正电子发射断层扫描（PET扫描）等，获取关于大脑结构和功能的图像和数据。

neurolinguist 神经语言学家

glimpse /ɡlɪmps/ a short experience of sth that helps you to understand it 短暂的感受（或体验、领会）

✨ 拓展例句：

It's a fascinating glimpse into life in the ocean. 这是对海洋生物的一次短暂而动人心魄的感受。

specific aspects 特定方面，具体一些方面

It's well known that the brain's left hemisphere is more dominant and analytical in logical processes, while the right hemisphere is more active in emotional and social ones, though this is a matter of degree, not an absolute split.

众所周知，大脑左半球负责逻辑与分析功能，右半球则较活跃于情感与社交层面，不过这是程度问题，并不是绝对分工。

It's well known that...... 大家都知道，众所周知

hemi·sphere /ˈhemɪsfɪr/ either half of the brain（大脑的）半球

dom·in·ant /ˈdɑːmɪnənt/ more important 首要的；占支配地位的

ana·lyt·ic·al /ˌænəˈlɪtɪk(ə)l/ using a logical method of thinking about sth in order to understand it 分析的；解析的；分析性的

lo·gic·al /ˈlɑːdʒɪk(ə)l/ seeming natural, reasonable or sensible 自然的；合乎常理的

emo·tion·al /ɪˈmoʊʃən(ə)l/ connected with people's feelings 感情的；情感的；情绪的

so·cial /ˈsoʊʃ(ə)l/ connected with activities in which people meet each other for pleasure 社交的；交际的；

a matter of 关于；涉及到；有关；是……问题；a matter of degree 程度问题

absolute split 绝对分割

The fact that language involves both types of functions while lateralization develops gradually with age, has lead to the critical period hypothesis.

语言涉及两种功能，而侧脑化是随年龄逐渐发展的，因此有了「关键期假说」这个理论。

lateralization /ˌlætərəlɪˈzeɪʃn/ （尤指脑部的）偏侧优势；偏侧化

develop gradually 逐渐发展

critical period hypothesis 关键期假说

According to this theory, children learn languages more easily because the plasticity of their developing brains lets them use both hemispheres in language acquisition, while in most adults, language is lateralized to one hemisphere, usually the left.

根据这个理论，孩子们因为大脑可塑性较强，能同时用左右脑来学习语言，而大多数成人语言处理则偏向单侧（通常是左脑）。

plas·ti·city /plæˈstɪsəti/ the quality of being easily made into different shapes 可塑性；

developing brain 发展中的大脑

language acquisition 指人们，尤其是儿童在没有课程或学习规则的情况下，自然地理解和说一种语言的过程。

lateralized /ˈlætərəˌlaɪzd/ 使朝向一边；使……向侧面（lateralize 的过去分词）

If this is true, learning a language in childhood may give you a more holistic grasp of its social and emotional contexts.

如果这理论正确，那么儿童学语言，可能会让他们在情境与情绪层面理解语言得更完整。

hol·is·tic /hoʊˈlɪstɪk/ considering a whole thing 整体的；全面的

grasp /ɡræsp/ a person's understanding of a subject or of difficult facts 理解（力）；领会

social and emotional contexts 社会和情感环境

Conversely, recent research showed that people who learned a second language in adulthood exhibit less emotional bias and a more rational approach when confronting problems in the second language than in their native one.

相对地，近期研究发现，成人学会第二语言的人，在使用第二语言面对问题时，情绪偏见较少，思考更理性。

con·verse·ly /ˈkɑːnvɜːrsli/ in a way that is the opposite or reverse of sth 相反地；反过来

adult·hood /əˈdʌlthʊd/ the state of being an adult 成年

ex·hibit /ɪɡˈzɪbɪt/ to show clearly that you have or feel a particular feeling, quality or ability 表现，显示，显出（感情、品质或能力）

emotional bias a distortion in cognition and decision making due to emotional factors 情绪性偏见

rational approach 理性方法：一种基于逻辑和理性思考的解决问题或做决策的方法。

confront problems 面对问题：直面和处理问题或挑战的行为。

na·tive /ˈneɪtɪv/ connected with the place where you were born and lived for the first years of your life 出生地的；儿时居住地的

But regardless of when you acquire additional languages, being multilingual gives your brain some remarkable advantages.

但不论你是何时开始学习第二语言，多语能力都会为大脑带来显著益处。

remarkable advantages 显著的优势

Some of these are even visible, such as higher density of the grey matter that contains most of your brain's neurons and synapses, and more activity in certain regions when engaging a second language.

有些甚至可从大脑结构中观察出来，像是灰质密度增加、使用第二语言时大脑某些区域活动更频繁等。

dens·ity /ˈdensəti/ the degree to which sth is dense 密集；稠密；密度；浓度

the grey matter （大脑中的）灰质

neuron /ˈnʊrɑːn/ 神经元，神经单位

syn·apse /ˈsɪnæps/ a connection between two nerve cells（神经元的）突触

The heightened workout a bilingual brain receives throughout its life can also help delay the onset of diseases, like Alzheimer's and dementia by as much as five years.

而终身使用双语的大脑，还可能延缓阿兹海默症和失智症等疾病的发病时间，最长可达五年。

heightened /ˈhaɪt(ə)nd/ 被提高的，被增强的

work·out /ˈwɜːrkaʊt/ a period of physical exercise that you do to keep fit 锻炼

onset /ˈɑːnset/ the beginning of sth, especially sth unpleasant 开端，发生，肇始（尤指不快的事件）；the onset of diseases 疾病的发生

Alzheimer's /ˈɑːltshaɪmərz/ 老人痴呆症；

de·men·tia /dɪˈmenʃə/ a serious mental disorder caused by brain disease or injury, that affects the ability to think, remember and behave normally 痴呆；精神错乱

by used to show the degree or amount of sth（表示程度、数量）

✨ 拓展例句：

House prices went up by 10%. 房价上涨了10%。

The idea of major cognitive benefits to bilingualism may seem intuitive now, but it would have surprised earlier experts.

现在大家直觉上都认为双语有重大的认知好处，不过这在早期的专家眼中，其实是令人惊讶的想法。

cog·ni·tive /ˈkɑːɡnətɪv/ connected with mental processes of understanding 认知的；感知的；认识的

bilingualism /baɪˈlɪŋɡwəˌlɪzəm/ 能用两种语言

in·tui·tive /ɪnˈtuːɪtɪv/ obtained by using your feelings rather than by considering the facts 凭直觉得到的；直觉的

Before the 1960s, bilingualism was considered a handicap that slowed a child's development by forcing them to spend too much energy distinguishing between languages, a view based largely on flawed studies.

如今大家普遍认同双语带来的认知好处，但这在1960年代以前可是让专家大吃一惊的观点。那时人们普遍认为双语是种「负担」，会让孩子分散注意力，发展变慢，这种观点大多来自有瑕疵的研究。

handi·cap /ˈhændikæp/ 生理缺陷；弱智；残疾

flawed /flɔːd/ having a flaw 有错误的；有缺点的；有瑕疵的

And while a more recent study did show that reaction times and errors increase for some bilingual students in cross-language tests, it also showed that the effort and attention needed to switch between languages triggered more activity in, and potentially strengthened, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

不过近来的研究显示，一些双语学生在跨语言测验中反应时间变慢、错误率上升，但也发现他们在语言切换时，大脑的「背外侧前额叶皮质」会更活跃。

reaction time 反应时间

trig·ger /ˈtrɪɡər/ to make sth happen suddenly 发动；引起；触发

dorsolateral prefrontal cortex 背外侧前额叶皮层：灵长类动物大脑前额叶皮层中的一个区域，是人类大脑中最近进化的部分之一。

This is the part of the brain that plays a large role in executive function, problem solving, switching between tasks, and focusing while filtering out irrelevant information.

这个区域与执行功能、解决问题、任务切换与注意力控制息息相关。

play a large role in 在……中扮演重要角色

executive function 执行功能

problem solving 问题解决

switch between tasks 在任务之间切换

filter out irrelevant information 过滤掉无关的信息

So, while bilingualism may not necessarily make you smarter, it does make your brain more healthy, complex and actively engaged, and even if you didn't have the good fortune of learning a second language as a child, it's never too late to do yourself a favor and make the linguistic leap from, "Hello" to "Hola", "Bonjour" or "你好", because when it comes to our brains, a little exercise can go a long way.

因此，双语者虽不一定更聪明，但大脑更健康、更复杂，也更活跃。即使你小时候没学第二语言，现在开始也不嫌晚，从 “Hello” 跨出一步，说出 “Hola”、“Bonjour” 或 “你好”，因为对大脑来说，适当的语言训练会带来长远的益处。