Power of Language (Pelican Books)

Why should we learn more than one language?
Can it change the way we think?
Does it have the power to transform how we see the world?

You may think you speak only one language. In fact, your mind is interpreting multiple codes of communication. Some people speak Spanish, some Mandarin. Some speak poetry, some are fluent in maths. Humans are built for multilingualism.

Drawing on cutting-edge research and theory, delivered with wit and lucid insight, psycholinguist Viorica Marian explores the ways in which the mind uses multiple languages and how, in doing so, we can open the doors to unique forms of creativity, brain health and cognitive control. Every new language we speak - whether it is coding or musical notes, Hindi or Arabic - shapes how we extract and interpret information. It alters what we remember, how we perceive ourselves and those around us, how we feel, the insights we have, the decisions we make and the actions we take.

The Power of Language lays bare how we use different linguistic codes to think about the world - and change our place within it. Empowering and practical, this is the perfect guide for anyone interested in how language really works.

Reviews

An absorbing account of how language wires the brain. Some of the most intriguing conclusions are related to bilingualism and multilingualism, which have been shown to delay Alzheimer's, increase the brain's gray matter, and positively impact social cognition in children. Full of delightful insights, this book is thoroughly researched and compulsively readable.