SDLC 105 Journal #10 - Response to "Why Bilinguals are Smarter", etc.

[Rachel Poplack]

One of the first things that I thought of when I read this article was the definition of "smarter". Does smarter mean a wider array and variety of knowledge? If that is the case, then bilinguals are definitely smarter. There is no doubt that people who know more than one language know more words, more grammar, have a higher amount of cultural competency, and are just generally a larger wealth of knowledge. However, I object to this NY Times article because I think smarter is not just about how much you know, it is about how quickly you ascertain something and retain something. Obviously I am biased because I am not bilingual, and it is insulting to think that people are automatically smarter than you because they had the privilege of being raised in a home where more than one language was being spoken. However, I do not think that this is just my bias shining through. I really believe that people who are bilingual are not more intelligent, they simply know more. I understand the article's point that the brain is stretched more and is used to moving and being used in different ways. But does that make one smarter, or simply more adaptable? I think people who are bilingual have more agile brains, because they are used to exercising their minds in ways that monolingual people just don't. But I just do not think this makes them smarter. More adept, maybe, more practiced maybe, and certainly more mentally "in shape", but not more intelligent.