Advantages of Bilingualism

Advantages of Bilingualism
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Advantages of Bilingualism
Bilingualism is a human ability in which the human has the ability to converse in two or more languages. Ideally, just speaking in two or more languages does not qualify a person as a bilingual, but the ability to speak in those languages as if you are a native speaker of those languages. In reality, the ability to speak in two or more languages fluently is rare and for those with the ability to speak like that have an added advantage in the modern world. With the internet and globalization, the world is slowly becoming a global language. Improved technology is enabling people to travel to remote places in the world and, virtually, anywhere in the world. With technology, information regarding different places is able to be transmitted to other parts of the world almost instantaneously. With increased ease to travel and to work in other parts of the world, owing to increased trade between nations globally, the ability to speak in more than one language is an obvious advantage (Bhattacharjee, 2012). The list of advantages the ability to speak in more than one language offers to the speakers will form the basis of discussion in this paper.
Bilingualism is largely a misunderstood concept. Though the ideal case would be speaking in the two or more languages as if one is a native, it is very rare for someone to have that ability. The norm is that there is always a dominant language among the bilingual speakers.

The level of expertise in a given language is usually determined by several factors. The time of adoption of the language affects the level of expertise in speaking a second language. For instance, for children, it is easier for them to be converted to bilinguals compared to older people because the brain becomes less flexible as an individual grows older (Golash‐Boza, 2005). Additionally, consistent use of a given language and commitment to using the language improves the level of expertise in a given language. It is common, therefore, for bilinguals to be more conversant in a given language depending on the context in which they use the language. But, in most cases, the language that bilinguals predominantly speak in is the most dominant among their bilingual languages.
While in the past there was little bilingual abilities in the world because of little interactions between communities, the modern day has seen the ability become the norm. However, it is not a modern concept. Even in the past, people had to become bilinguals because of the interactions with each other. Neighboring communities would become bilinguals as a necessity because of the need to trade with each other, the need to intermarry with each other and, most importantly, to avoid unnecessary conflicts between them. In case of conflicts in the past between two neighboring communities that spoke different languages, the bilinguals used to come in handy. In this respect, the bilinguals in traditional societies had an elevated position in the society and would be revered in their respective communities. However, statistics have it that an approximate 75 percent of the world today is bilingual. Therefore, speaking in more than one language is not considered an abnormal thing. In fact, speaking only one language in today’s world is the abnormal thing.
There are many advantages that are associated with the ability to communicate in more than one language. For one, recent studies have shown that bilinguals are smarter compared to their counterparts, monolinguals (Bhattacharjee, 2012). Normally, in the human brain, bilinguals develop two sets of systems. While speaking in one language, the bilingual brain has to inhibit the second system from interrupting the other while one is speaking. This ability to inhibit and control the two systems in the brain is not an innate ability but an ability that develops when a person is exposed to bilingualism or learns a second language. In recent studies, it has been found that bilinguals’ brains develop better cognitive functions. This enables the bilinguals to focus on one issue better and is not prone to effects of distractions as their monolingual counterparts. The explanation behind this improved cognitive ability is because of the internal conflicts that the brain undergoes when one language system interferes with the other as the bilingual tries to converse in the other language. The brain’s cognitive function muscles are strengthened because of the work-out and are, therefore, better at handling distractions from normal worldly activities.
Secondly, bilingualism actually delays dementia during old age. Research on advantages of bilingualism has shown that learning a second language can actually help an individual from getting dementia earlier in life. The delay, according to the research is five years. The reason behind this delay in dementia is the brain’s cognitive muscles and function. The Dementia disease is, basically, an attack on the cognitive function of the brain. However, bilinguals have better developed cognitive muscles that are able to shield the bilingual from an early dementia attack (Brito & Barr, 2012). Therefore, it is prudent to learn an extra language because, during old age, your brain might need it. Other cognitive function diseases also behave in a similar manner. Diseases such as the Alzheimer’s disease that result due to a degeneration of the brain’s cognitive function affect the brain in a similar manner. For bilinguals, the better developed cognitive function acts as a shield to delay symptoms from these diseases.
Thirdly, it is easier for bilinguals to learn other languages. When compared to monolinguals, it is easier for bilinguals to learn a foreign language. Years of research has shown that bilinguals are better with words. They are able to identify patterns better and therefore rhyming words. They are also able to pick up and learn words more easily. Since languages are, basically, words put together, then the bilingual is at an advantage as far as learning a new language is concerned. Similar research in the field of bilingualism has also shown that bilinguals are better at communicating compared to monolinguals. The improved communication skills are due to development of their speech capabilities in their brains, an advantage that monolinguals do not possess. Bilinguals are also better problem solvers compared to monolinguals (Saidi & Ansaldo, 2015). The bilinguals’ brains adapt with inner brain conflicts between the different language systems whenever they speak. The conflicts in the brains enable them to develop a better mechanism in focusing on relevant issues and avoid distractions. It also helps them to develop the ability to solve more than one problem at a given time. Therefore, these innate brain abilities give bilinguals an added advantage whenever they are faced with problems. Their brains are better developed to handle pressure and to remain focused, a critical requirement during problem resolutions.
Bilinguals have an advantage as far as social interactions are concerned. Due to globalizations, most of the communities are increasingly becoming multi-ethnic. Due to this fact, it is common to have people from different communities, tribes, nationalities and cultures in schools, institutions, and in residences. It is also common knowledge for people who speak the same language to interact more often than people who do not speak the same language. That is why, even in multi-ethnic communities, you will find people forming small friendship groups that are language-oriented. It is not being tribal, it is just natural to feel at ease close to someone who not only understands your culture but who understands your language. Therefore, bilinguals have an advantage in the increasingly multi-ethnic modern communities (Takala, 2016). They can interact easily with people who speak both of their languages. This advantage often makes the bilinguals very popular in their communities and are often seen as the bridge between the different ethnic groups. It is also common to see people turning to them whenever there is a conflict that needs to be resolved involving two groups. Speaking the different languages also enables them to have more confidence when addressing particular problems, confidence that enables them to achieve greater things in their lives compared to monolinguals.
Lastly, bilinguals have an advantage in the job market. With globalization, more organizations are branching out to take advantage of globalization, to take advantage of newer opportunities and to grow into new markets. The branching out often has challenges such as facing new cultures that may be different from the main branch and operations. For organizations, it is crucial to maintain the same identity throughout their branches. It is this identity that sets them apart from their competition. If an organization is unable to maintain its identity in a new culture, their success may be threatened. It is for this reason that bilinguals come in handy in the job market (Savoie, 1996). Bilinguals often come in handy when communicating to employees in their new areas of operation. It becomes easier to settle in new areas of operations when an organization has bilinguals with both a deep understanding of the organization as well as a deep understanding of the language and culture of the new area of operations. Therefore, the bilingual ability clearly has an advantage in the job market.
In conclusion, it is evident that bilinguals have a clear advantage over their monolinguals counterparts. The advantages range from the ability to delay diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The bilinguals also possess better communication skills, better problems solving skills and better cognitive skills compared to their monolingual counterparts. Bilinguals also enjoy added advantages socially as they are able to socialize among different ethnic groups because of the obvious advantage of being to communicate with the other ethnic groups. With increasingly multi-ethnic groups sprouting due to globalization, bilingual abilities give people a clear edge. To top it all off, bilinguals have a massive advantage in the job market in the modern society with most organizations embracing globalization, trying to branch out and expand to new territories (Savoie, 1996). For these organizations, bilinguals are an obviously better choice compared to their monolingual counterparts.
References
Bhattacharjee, Y. (2012). Why bilinguals are smarter. The New York Times, 17.
Brito, N., & Barr, R. (2012). Influence of bilingualism on memory generalization during infancy. Developmental Science, 15(6), 812-816.
Golash‐Boza, T. (2005). Assessing the Advantages of Bilingualism for the Children of Immigrants1. International Migration Review, 39(3), 721-753.
Saidi, L. G., & Ansaldo, A. I. (2015). Can a Second Language Help You in More Ways Than One?. AIMS Neurosci, 1, 52-57.
Savoie, G. (1996). The comparative advantages of bilingualism on the job market: Survey of studies. New Canadian Perspectives. Official Languages and the Economy, 65-88.
Takala, E. (2016). The advantages and disadvantages of raising a child bilingual: the story of two families.