Brain May Hold Key to Second Language Learning

If you have trouble with foreign languages, don’t blame your teachers or study habits – blame your brain. A new study by Northwestern University neuroscientists indicates that brain anatomy can determine adults’ ability to learn a foreign language.

The researchers found that the size of a tiny brain structure called Heschl's Gyrus (HG) enabled them to predict how well study participants could learn an invented language.

“The study is the first to consider the predictive value of a specific brain structure on linguistic learning even before training has begun,” explains a July 25th Northwestern University press release. “Studies in the past have looked at the connection between brain structure and a participant's ability to identify individual speech sounds in isolation rather than learning speech sounds in a linguistic context. Others have looked at the connection between existing language proficiency and brain structure.”

Previous research carried out by the same team suggests that early musical training can also contribute to successful acquisition of oral foreign language skills.

At Language Translation Inc., we are keenly interested in all aspects of language use and acquisition. Located in San Diego, we offer high-quality translation, interpretation and localization services in over 40 languages. “We speak your language – and theirs.”

Betty Carlson

Subscribe to Language Lines, our monthly newsletter, for information about the growing importance of culture and language in the business world.