The Impact of Bilingualism on Cognitive Development: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This research focuses on the influence of knowing two or more languages on our mental abilities, such as learning, thinking, and problem-solving. It examines differences between people in India, where using several languages is usual, and in Western countries, where learning a new language often begins in a classroom setting. The purpose of the research is to investigate whether using several languages consistently can improve mental abilities such as being sharp and adaptable. It appears that growing up with several languages, for example, in Mumbai, where some children often switch between Marathi, Hindi, and English, leads to better thinking, greater flexibility, and simpler handling of problems. In contrast, in France, cognitive benefits are visible for some people, but they are not as defined and reliable as they are in Anglo-American regions.