SDLP 105: Learning Journal 9

[Constantinos Beauclair-Kolomtsas]

I believe both writings make the case that bilinguals are more intelligent. Although, the second reading by Alexandra Ossola makes the case that bilinguals are not necessarily at a great advantage early in their lives due to the lack of vocabulary in a single language compared to monolinguals - despite the fact that if you combine the known vocabularies of both languages of bilinguals it would exceed the vocabulary bank of monolinguals - later in life bilinguals are at a great advantage. The lack of vocabulary in a single language is mended through education and the greater executive function of brains of bilinguals provides evidence for the case that bilinguals are more intelligent. Ossola argues that intelligence is a broad term, but if brain capabilities are increased due to bilingualism or multilingualism then does that not qualify as greater intelligence? Furthermore, it is important to note that the argument does not exclude late language learners and so everyone can attain the benefits of knowing more than one language.