In one of the most remarkable feats of the human brain we use language everyday to communicate, build relationships and craft realities using nothing but our own words. But have you ever stopped and wondered how language works?

In this episode of Hold That Thought, hosts Taylor Lord and Becca Havian explore the principles of language and language learning. They start with a quick primer on the neurophysiology, the machinery on which our brains code the building blocks of language. They walk through a new way of teaching language that uses these principles and discuss the power of learning a new language on our brain health. Finally, they chat about how multiple languages can broaden and change our perception of the world and give quick tips if you’re looking to learn as an adult. 

 

This episode is part of the Hold That Thought mini-series— Working Together: Elements of Interpersonal Relationships.

Topics Include: language learning, language, neurophysiology, linguistics, language research, bilingulaism, polyglots

Resources: 
Does the Linguistic Theory at the Center of the Film ‘Arrival’ Have Any Merit?
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
Multilingual Education: A Key to Quality and Inclusive Learning
Berkeley Voices: One brain, two languages
Learning Language Changes Your Brain
Language Shapes How We Perceive Time
The positive lexicophy 
Dr. Eddie Chang - Huberman Lab
The Glottal Stop
Real Fast Spanish
Cuentame Podcast
Babbel