TED演讲:能讲多种语言如何造福大脑(2)

 　　Because all types of bilingual people can become fully¹ proficient² in a language regardless of accent or pronunciation,  上述三种双语使用者，他们至少都能精通一种语言，无论是在腔调或是发音方面，

　　the difference may not be apparent to a casual observer. 因此，一般人难以发觉这三种类型的差异。

　　But recent advances in brain imaging technology have given neurolinguists a glimpse into 然而现在，由于大脑成像技术不断进步，神经语言学家得以窥探

　　how specific aspects of language learning affect the bilingual brain. 语言学习对于双语使用者的大脑产生何种影响。

　　It's well known that the brain's left hemisphere is more dominant³ and analytical⁴ in logical processes,  大家都知道，大脑的左半部主要掌管逻辑思考与分析，而右半脑则掌管情感与社交活动，

　　while the right hemisphere is more active in emotional and social ones, 虽然左、右半脑有所区别，

　　though this is a matter of degree, not an absolute split. 但并非完全独立运作。

　　The fact that language involves both types of functions while lateralization develops gradually with age, 事实上，语言同时包括了左脑与右脑的功能，而随着年纪增长，大脑功能逐渐侧重其中一边，

　　has lead to the critical period hypothesis. 这个观点发展出关键时期的假说。

　　According to this theory, children learn languages more easily 根据这个理论，儿童通常学习语言较快，

　　because the plasticity of their developing brains lets them use both hemispheres in language acquisition,  是因为大脑仍在发展，因此仍具有可塑性，他们可以同时利用左、右两边的大脑学习语言；

　　while in most adults, language is lateralized to one hemisphere, usually the left. 然而，多数成人会偏向採用其中一侧的大脑来学习语言，通常是左半脑。

　　If this is true, learning a language in childhood may give you a more holistic⁵ grasp of its social and emotional contexts. 如果这个观点正确，那么从小就学习语言，能够更容易掌握语言的社会和情感脉络。

　　Conversely, recent research showed that people who learned a second language in adulthood⁶ 相反地，最新的硏究指出：

　　exhibit less emotional bias⁷ and a more rational approach  如果人们到了成年之后才学第二种语言，

　　when confronting problems in the second language than in their native one. 当他们遇到有关新语言的学习问题时，会呈现出较少的情绪偏见，也会有较为理性的思考。

　　But regardless of when you acquire additional languages, being multilingual gives your brain some remarkable⁸ advantages. 无论如何，当你学习新的语言时，可以替你的大脑带来明显的好处。

1 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

2 proficient   

adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家

参考例句：

• She is proficient at swimming.她精通游泳。
• I think I'm quite proficient in both written and spoken English.我认为我在英语读写方面相当熟练。

3 dominant   

adj.支配的，统治的；占优势的；显性的；n.主因，要素，主要的人(或物)；显性基因

参考例句：

• The British were formerly dominant in India.英国人从前统治印度。
• She was a dominant figure in the French film industry.她在法国电影界是个举足轻重的人物。

4 analytical   

adj.分析的；用分析法的

参考例句：

• I have an analytical approach to every survey.对每项调查我都采用分析方法。
• As a result,analytical data obtained by analysts were often in disagreement.结果各个分析家所得的分析数据常常不一致。

5 holistic   

adj.从整体着眼的，全面的

参考例句：

• There is a fundamental ambiguity in the use of word "whole" in recent holistic literature.在近代的整体主义著作中，“整体”这个词的用法极其含混。
• In so far as historicism is technological,its approach is not piecemeal,but "holistic".仅就历史决定论是一种技术而论，它的方法不是渐进的，而是“整体主义的”。

6 adulthood   

n.成年，成人期

参考例句：

• Some infantile actions survive into adulthood.某些婴儿期的行为一直保持到成年期。
• Few people nowadays are able to maintain friendships into adulthood.如今很少有人能将友谊维持到成年。

7 bias   

n.偏见，偏心，偏袒；vt.使有偏见

参考例句：

• They are accusing the teacher of political bias in his marking.他们在指控那名教师打分数有政治偏见。
• He had a bias toward the plan.他对这项计划有偏见。

8 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。