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Neuroscience of Bilingualism

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Bilingualism and Cognitive Control

Part of the book series: The Bilingual Mind and Brain Book Series ((BMBBS,volume 6))

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Abstract

This chapter is about the brain and bilingualism. Neural data are very important in understanding behavioural outcomes or the consequences of it. However, neural data do not always guarantee what kind of behavioural performance we may expect in experiments. An emerging claim in the bilingualism literature is that bilingualism strengthens neural tissue and enhances functional connectivity. The chapter explores the theories and facts related to the biological basis of bilingualism. One of the important questions is if the brains of bilinguals and monolinguals are different structurally, and if so why? A related question is what acquisition and gradual mastery of a second language do to the brain and its networks? Many studies have claimed that the neural machinery is itself different for bilinguals and monolinguals. This difference is an outcome of the different language experiences that bilinguals and monolinguals go through during their lifespan. Neural differences and how they have contributed to executive control difference is often not clear from the debates. Often, neural differences in experiments do not reflect in behavioural results.

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  1. Center for Neural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Ramesh Kumar Mishra

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Mishra, R.K. (2018). Neuroscience of Bilingualism. In: Bilingualism and Cognitive Control. The Bilingual Mind and Brain Book Series, vol 6. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92513-4_5

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