10 minute read
More Than Meets The Eye
Mark Gash explains why you should learn a second language to transform your brain like an 80’s robot toy.
These days, the concept of learning a second language may seem redundant - AI can translate anything you say in real time and if you want to dabble, there’s always Duo Lingo. But should we be going old school when it comes to learning languages?
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that I’m a sucker for a bit of ‘80s nostalgia and back in the day, it was all about Transformers toys for me (except when it was He-Man, Ninja Turtles, Batman, Star Wars, M.A.S.K. or Lego). Diecast Japanese toys, rebranded into an American phenomenon where alien robots bring their centuries-old war from the planet Cybertron to Earth. That’s at least 3 languages right there, and the leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime, could speak them all.
My favourite Transformer, however, was Grimlock, the big, dumb Dinobot who could smash his way through anything as a T-Rex but could barely muster a coherent sentence in broken English. I’m pretty sure his lack of language skills wasn’t the reason I was drawn to him as a kid, but at 45 years old, I’m kind of ashamed to say that like Grimlock, I’m still a one language guy.
Don’t get me wrong - if I need to order a jambon et fromage baguette at Disneyland Paris, I can get by and I can almost count to 10 in German but in the 29 years since my GCSEs, I focussed my energies on geekier pursuits (i.e. buying back all those Transformers my mum sold at a carboot sale in 1995) than learning a new language.
As I tread water in the murky pool of middle age, I’ve started to wonder if learning a new language might just be the next big adventure for my brain. There’s a huge amount of research linking what happens to our minds when we learn a language and those transformations my old diecast and plastic toys went through.
My brain is a Transformer?!
Learning a new language fires up a process in the brain called neuroplasticity, which sounds like something out of a science-fiction movie, but it’s actually the brain’s ability to adapt and change. Just as the Dinobot Grimlock could shift from dinosaur to robot mode, your brain builds new neural pathways when you learn something challenging - like another language.
It’s a total transformation, right down to the grey matter. Researchers have found that language learners have denser brains, especially in areas that control memory and decision-making. It’s like your brain doing mental push-ups, bulking up to tackle any cognitive challenge you throw at it. And if you’re worried about being “too old” for this, don’t be - neuroplasticity is active at any age, even Xennials like me (yeah, I went there).
Meet your pilots
Not to get too nerdy (although I may have already passed that particular milestone), but the original Transformers toys were actually reused from a few different Japanese toy lines, one of which was Diaclone Car Robots. These toys had tiny human pilots driving the vehicles and controlling the robots, which is why many of the Transformers had little cockpits and seats that were unused in the American releases. Now, imagine you’re a Transformer and you have 2 of those little pilots in your head, controlling language - we’ll call them Broca and Wernicke.
When you wrestle with vocabulary or syntax, your brain changes physically, especially in areas
linked to language processing, like Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas. These brain regions each tackle a different part of communication.
Broca’s Area sits in the frontal lobe and handles language production. It’s your brain’s speech command centre that fires up when you learn new words and figures out how to say them. As you build language skills, this area physically grows, forming new connections and pathways that make it easier to express yourself.
Wernicke’s Area, located in the temporal lobe, is your language comprehension hub. If Broca’s area is the speaking side of the brain, Wernicke’s is the listening side. Learning a language strengthens Wernicke’s area by improving your ability to understand different accents, phrases, and dialects. Just as the Transformers had to pick up human language when they crash-landed on Earth, this area lets us understand spoken language, piecing together the words we hear.
When you dig into language studies, your Broca and Wernicke pilots work in tandem, helping you go from beginner to a fully functional communicator. It’s a transformation down to the cellular level, creating new neural pathways that make future learning easier.
Memory power-up
Transformers were awesome because they were effectively two toys in one - you could zoom your Sideswipe into battle as a Lamborghini Countach and within a few seconds, transform him into a robot warrior and fire a spring-loaded missile into your little brother’s eye (sorry, Andy). The more you practised transforming your robots, the faster you got at it as you committed the sequence of twists and turns to memory. And you’d repeat this with each new Transformer you added to your collection, until you could switch them all between robot and vehicle mode without a second thought, whilst your parents would be scratching their heads and staring at Slag with no clue how to get him from Triceratops to flamethrower-wielding warrior.
Every time you pick up new vocabulary or a tricky bit of grammar, you’re challenging your memory, storing and recalling information more effectively.
Studies have shown that bilingual people often have better working memory than those who only speak one language. They can keep several things in their heads at once, like balancing conversations in different languages or switching mental modes.
If learning a new language boosts memory that much, imagine all the extra info you could store - whether it’s where you last put your keys or remembering the birthday of that mate you always forget. Like Transformers, there’s more to your brain than meets the eye, and language learning helps you unlock it.
Switching gears
Grimlock may not have been the most subtle Autobot, but he knew how to switch it up when it counted. Picking up a second language helps you develop cognitive flexibility - your ability to think on your feet, shift between tasks, and adapt to new situations without missing a beat.
Bilingual brains are naturally more adaptable. They’re better at filtering out distractions and switching between tasks because they’ve had to toggle between languages. Research backs this up, showing that people who speak multiple languages perform better at tasks that require quick changes in focus.
Imagine having that kind of mental agility every day - at work, with the kids, or just trying to make it through a crowded supermarket when your wife sent you in for milk but you got distracted by the middle aisle and you’re stood there with a quesadilla maker under your arm drawing a blank on your main mission.
Diecast construction
The original 80s Transformers were made from diecast metal, so as long as you looked after them, there’s a good chance they’d survive a fan’s 40-year journey into adulthood. Of course, you’d still need to watch that the chrome didn’t get scratched, you didn’t let the white plastic ever see a single ray of sun to avoid yellowing and you’d need to keep
track of all the tiny missiles, guns and Optimus Prime’s detachable fists. A well-kept Transformer can last a lifetime, but you’ve got to be willing to put in the work to keep it mint - especially the boxes. The same goes for our brains: learning a second language can help your mind stay in pristine condition for the long haul.
Studies have shown that being bilingual can delay cognitive decline by several years, making it a solid investment in your brain’s future. Bilingual folks tend to stay sharper for longer, with fewer issues around memory loss or dementia. So, if you’re looking to stay in peak form as you age, language learning is a top choice.
Transform and roll out
Learning a second language isn’t about just picking up a few phrases, it’s about giving your brain a full transformation. Language learning equips you to be faster, stronger, and better equipped to handle life’s challenges.
Even if I missed the boat back in the ‘80s when I could’ve started learning, it’s never too late. As an adult, I can still give my mind that Autobot upgrade. Plus, I’d love to be able to travel and actually understand what people are sayingmaybe even negotiate a better price for the next vintage Transformer I spot on eBay.
Get to grips with a new language, and you might be surprised at the mental muscles you didn’t know you had, changing your brain up a gear to take on the world. As Optimus Prime says, “Transform and roll out.”
Language E-Learning To Transform Your Brain
Ready to put down those retro toys and pick up a new language instead? Here’s our pick of the language apps you need to try.
Babbel
If you’re looking for a fun and interactive language learning platform then Babbel is a great option, especially for beginners. The lessons can take as little as 10-15 minutes of your day and you can build the structure around your specific interest to help you learn the vocabulary most relevant to your needs.
With speech recognition and helpful pop-up grammar tips, the app is both engaging and practical. With the live subscription option, you can also join virtual classrooms with real teachers to give your learning an extra boost.
Rosetta Stone
One of the longest-standing language learning providers on this list, Rosetta Stone offers 30 years of experience. Each lesson is in your target language and the app offers a range of interactive activities to help speed up your learning.
Boasting excellent voice recognition software, Rosetta Stone’s technology claims to improve fluency and accuracy for learners practising at a variety of levels. The lessons are also longer than other apps but without repetition and they continuously play so you can immerse yourself in your learning without getting bored.
Duolingo
If you find traditional methods of language learning difficult to engage with, then Duolingo is an app with a completely different but fun approach.
Turning language learning into a game, this is a great app for beginners to start learning the basics of one of their 39 language options. Featuring a cute mascot, great motivational tactics, learning streaks and the ability to connect with friends and family
through social media there’s plenty of incentive to help you stick with it. This is a fantastic option for casual learners who want to incorporate learning into their busy schedules.
Busuu
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or upper intermediate language speaker, Busuu is a fantastic language learning app targeting a range of levels. Offering practical peer-reviewed speaking and writing opportunities, you can receive helpful feedback from native language speakers to help improve your accuracy.
There’s also a range of fun activities to support the useful grammar and vocabulary explanations to make your learning more interactive. Busuu also allows you to review other learners practising your native language, letting you give back to their community of like-minded language enthusiasts.
Pimsleur
If you prefer audio-based learning rather than interactive lessons then Pimsleur might be a great app for you. Focusing on the learning method introduced by academic Dr Paul Pimsleur, this app targets proper retention and internalisation of your target language.
Providing easily digestible 30-minute lessons, this app aims to improve your speaking and listening skills using daily exercises. Though you may require extra resources to practise your reading and writing
