How Language Shapes the Brain

There are many theories out there about how language shapes the brain, some of which are
more than just a little true. When I was younger, when I used to doodle in class I would use
words that my classmates and teachers did not understand, it allowed me to make up words on
the fly, which helped me with my writing. In school I was taught that verbs were opposite the
thing they complement, so that instead of saying, “You are having a bad day,” I could say, “You
are having a great day.” This helped me with my short-term memory and vocabulary, but not my
long-term memory or understanding of the world around me. It is hard to argue with the brain
scientists who say that learning a new language can indeed reshape and change the way our
brains work.

But when you’re talking about how language shapes the brain, you’re really talking about
something more than just vocabulary and verb tenses. Language also refers to how we process
sounds and images, and how we construct sentences and even paragraph forms. It’s also about
our biases and prejudices, and our innate ability to understand emotions in others. As I said, it’s
about everything – how we see the world, how we feel about it, how we choose to process
information. And it’s also about learning how to live with others and tolerating differences.

The best way to learn how language shapes the brain is to immerse yourself in a second
language. Try going to the library and reading a foreign language book. Or, if you are too lazy,
just read a book in your own language. I recommend Proust de Tours les Langues. You will be
surprised at how differently your brain responds to language when you are immersed in the
rhythms and cadence of another culture’s language.