Is Arrival's plot of rewiring one's brain by learning a new language based on reality?
In Arrival we see that learning a new language has done significant changes inside the brain.
Can learning a new language really “rewire your brain”? Was this plot point in the movie based on a theory or concept from reality or just fiction invented for the movie?
Best Answer
Yes.
Maybe not to the extent where Arrival shows (you start seeing the future), but indeed it does.
I read this article years ago, comparing German and English bilinguals.
English has a grammatical toolkit for situating actions in time. German doesn’t have this feature. This linguistic difference seems to influence how speakers of the two languages view events. German speakers matched ambiguous scenes with goal-oriented scenes about 40% of the time on average, compared with 25% among English speakers. This difference implies that German speakers are more likely to focus on possible outcomes of people’s actions, but English speakers pay more attention to the action itself.
There are many other articles on the topic, like this and this, but it seems to be accepted that language does shape how we think. I don't think the field is mature enough to draw conclusive proof, but it seems to be plausible at this stage.
PS: My sister, a speech therapist, also tells me that language is in fact fundamental to how we think. She works with disabled kids (e.g., austists) whose behavior can be seen to change as specific communication patterns are taught to them.
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Can you rewire your brain with learning a new language?
\u201cBecause the language centers in the brain are so flexible, learning a second language can develop new areas of your mind and strengthen your brain's natural ability to focus." There is another study conducted in Sweden which helped visualize the benefits of learning a new language have on the brain.What happens to your brain when you learn a new language?
More generally, learning a new language improves brain function, providing better memory, more mental flexibility and creativity, and can even delay the onset of dementia.Can learning a language rewire your brain reading answers?
Researchers from Penn State University in the US have found that learning a language will change the structure of your brain and make the network that pulls it all together more efficient - and the improvements can be experienced at any age. Every time you learn something new, you're strengthening your brain.Can language affect the way our brains work?
Share on Pinterest Being able to speak more than one language has protective effects on cognitive functioning. Multiple studies, for instance, have found that bilingualism can protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.ARRIVAL (2016) Ending Explained
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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