Boost Brain Power By Learning A Language

By Author: Steve Gillman
Total Articles: 89
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Hablas Español?

Do you speak any other languages? Maybe you've considered
how good it would feel to be able to speak to people in
another language, but did you know it also expands the range
of your possible thoughts? It's true. There are concepts in
each language that don't exist in others, as well as
different expressions. These can give you new ways to think,
and change your perspective on things.

Changing Your Perspective Through Language

It is no coincidence that many Americans see money as
something created, rather than as a static quantity to be
divided up. English, after all, is one of the few languages
that speaks of "making" money. In most languages, the verb
used is "to gain," or "to take," or "to get." Each of these
affect the ways in which people think about money.
Personally, I think "making money" is a very healthy
perspective.

In Spanish, you are not thirsty or cold or afraid. You say
"I have thirst (yo tengo sed)", "I have coldness (yo tengo
frio)," or "I have ...
... fear (yo tengo miedo)." So what is the
difference?

Did you know that the best therapists will tell you to stop
saying or thinking things like "I am afraid?" It creates too
much identification with the feeling. It is healthier to say
"I feel fear." You are a human; fear, like all feelings, is
just a temporary visitor.

Can you see how other languages can give you other
perspectives? You might feel differently about decision
making if you only had to "take a decision" ("tomar un
decision" in Spanish)" instead of "make a decision." And the
German word "angst," (roughly; a feeling of existential
anxiety) might immediately pinpoint how you feel, when you
can't quite express it in English.

Better Understanding Through Language

You gain not just words when you learn a language, but the
ability to understand things better? Who can speak more
precisely about snow; someone with three or four words for
it (snow, sleet, powder); or an eskimo with 23 words for it?
And which is more efficient, the German "zeitgeist"
(roughly; the taste and outlook of a period or generation),
or the paragraph of English you'd need to say the same
thing?

Other Advantages Of Learning A Language

Did you know that most people experience a general
improvement in memory from studying a language? There's
more. Are you geting older? It has also been demonstrated
that you can halt the age-related decline in mental function
by learning a new language. You can tuck that little tip
away for later in life, or better yet, start learning a new
language today.

About the Author Steve Gillman has been studying brain improvement and
related topics for years. You can find more on his website:
http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com as well as in his free
Brain Power Newsletter :
http://www.IncreaseBrainPower.com/Newsletter.html