The Positive Power of Being Bilingual by: Ricardo González Published in Weekly Executive Report April 8, 2008

One respected scientific study suggests that being bilingual can delay dementia by as much as four years. Imagine four additional years of being of a sound mind!

“Our study found that speaking two languages throughout one’s life appears to be associated with a delay in the onset of symptoms of dementia by four years compared to those who speak one language,” says Dr. Bialystok, Professor of Psychology at York University and Associate Scientist at the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest.

The study on bilingualism and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, was published in the February 2007 issue of Neuropsychologia (Vol.45, No.2).

Of course, we are all aware of the financial benefits of being bilingual. The number of companies hiring or training bilinguals is impressive. Even true blue American organizations like, as Howard Cosell would have said, “The National Football League,” are making aggressive plays for the Latino market in Spanish. This requires a bilingual workforce. The estimated purchasing power of the Latino populace right now is around $700 billion annually and projected to be $1 Trillion by 2010. That’s a lot of compelling reasons to be bilingual in English and Spanish, mi amigo o mi amiga.

Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, has launched his Spanish language web site. The address is: www.newt.org/paralatinos
By the way, while you are there check out his book, “Descubra La Fe de Una Nación.” This isn’t a left-leaning Democrat. Mr. Gingrich is, as you know, a conservative Republican.

One article I saw in a magazine named Hispanic Times made the bold statement, “Bilingual America is here.” Of course, I was drawn to the statement since the name of my company is Bilingual America. I appreciate the advertisement to be sure but I appreciate the statement even more. I don’t think “Bilingual America is here” yet but I do think it is close.

Being bilingual is only positive. There are no known negatives to being bilingual. I have never had a student complain to me that he learned Spanish, or in the case of a Latino, English. Never. I have, however heard many people express chagrin for not learning one or the other. Allow me to give you three good reasons why you should be bilingual. If you don’t speak Spanish, I want to encourage you to learn. If this were in Spanish, I would be encouraging my Latino friends to learn English in the same way.

Reason #1: To set an example for your children or grandchildren. Let’s face reality here my friends. In the future, when Latinos make up more than 25% (now 15%) of the population of this country, it will be difficult for people to be hired over a bilingual person all other skills being equal. If it is true now, and it is in many instances, how much more will it be when there is almost a doubling of the Latino populace as projected over the next several years? At the very least, if you don’t want to learn, make sure your kids and grand kids do.

Reason #2: We already said this but it bears mention; because the Hispanic purchasing power is approaching $1 Trillion dollars annually in the United States. Of course, we’re not even talking about the purchasing power of Mexico, Central America, South America or Spain. However, now you don’t have to fly the friendly skies to do business with another culture. International has now, very conveniently come to you!

Reason #3: You will feel better. Seriously. There is nothing like the thrill of being bilingual and bicultural. There is a sense of euphoria that people who learn a second language experience when they are talking in real conversations with people from those represented cultures. I could tell you countless stories from students to document this.

I can’t imagine not being bilingual. It would be like walking through life with only one eye. I would feel half-blind. The Latino culture is rich, it is colorful. It awaits you but you must learn the language to fully appreciate the richness of the culture.

You may know that Bilingual America offers the finest Spanish and English language courses on the market today. If you would like a free consultation to talk about your desire to learn to communicate well in Spanish, or if you know Latinos who need to learn English well, let us know. We would love to help you add four more years to your life or theirs!

Adelante,


Ricardo González