Nimble Minds

Fresh from a country with two official languages: a new Canadian study suggests that being bilingual will, on average, postpone the onset of dementia by 4.1 years. Even after adjusting for schooling and immigration status, the results were unequivocal: being a polyglot (or at least a biglot) fights brain rot. What's not clear is why. Researchers speculate the ability to operate in two languages could — like exercise or stimulating leisure and social activity — help the brain continue normal functions even as it decays physically. Just don't expect great things from your French refresher course. The study, appearing in the...

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