Better memory in multilinguals

Do you speak more than two languages? Then your memory might be better compared to those who don’t. Knowing more than two languages is associated with better episodic memory, according to new research in Psychology at Luleå University of Technology. The research supports the theory that multilingualism can be beneficial for certain cognitive functions, and might help the brain cope better with aging.

There is an ongoing debate among researchers about whether knowing more than one language affects the brain’s cognitive functions. Several previous studies have shown better cognitive performance in those who speak two languages (bilinguals) compared to people who speak one language (monolinguals) in areas such as the ability to focus or switch attention, but other studies have not found this effect.

A new study from researchers at Luleå University of Technology, published in the International Journal of Bilingualism External link, opens in new window., examined aspects of multilingualism (namely, knowing more than two languages) on different cognitive abilities in adults. In particular within the domain of episodic memory, where there is limited previous knowledge.

Understudied cognitive domain

Episodic memory is what most people would refer to as memory – remembering personal events and experiences. Previous studies have often compared bilinguals with monolinguals rather than bilinguals with multilinguals, and only few have focused on episodic memory.

“We tried to focus on an understudied cognitive domain that could be influenced by bi- or multilingualism, to contribute to a current debate in the literature regarding the effects of multilingualism on cognitive abilities”, says Mariana Vega Mendoza, Associate Professor of Psychology at Luleå University of Technology, and lead author.

Compared multilinguals to bilinguals

The study included 894 participants (mean age 51 years old) from the Betula project External link, opens in new window., a longitudinal, population-based study on aging and memory in Umeå, Sweden. The researchers compared individuals who spoke three, four, or five languages, to those who spoke two languages in a series of tasks. These included episodic memory recall, verbal fluency (a task of word generation beginning with a particular letter or within a certain category), and a global test of cognitive abilities, as well as their changes over time.

One of the main findings was that individuals who spoke three, four and five languages performed better on tests of episodic memory and letter fluency at the first measurement than those who spoke two languages. Since episodic memory is a function prone to decline with age, these findings support the proposal that multilingualism can provide a protective effect on certain brain functions.

“The positive effects of bilingualism have been attributed to bilinguals employing brain control mechanisms for handling their two languages. The constant use of these mechanisms is in turn thought to enhance processes that are related to the frontal lobe.  This could lead to increased cognitive reserve – or the efficiency of the brain to cope with cognitive aging”, says Mariana Vega Mendoza, and adds:

“This could explain why individuals who knew more than two languages in our study exhibited larger gains, particularly in episodic memory and verbal fluency, as these are functions associated with those networks hypothesized to be enhanced in bilinguals. The experience of handling more than two languages may result in a larger advantage than handling two”.

Aspects to investigate further for potential to protect aging brain

“There are still aspects of multilingual cognition that can be further investigated to learn more about how multilingualism can affect brain functions. With more knowledge in this area, we can gain a better understanding of factors that have the potential of protecting the aging brain” says Mariana Vega Mendoza.

The article ”A longitudinal study of episodic memory recall in multilinguals” External link, opens in new window. is published in the scientific journal International Journal of Bilingualism.