People who struggle to learn foreign languages may simplyhave brains that are not wired to retain linguistic skills, a newstudy suggests.
较新研究表明,学外语比较吃力的人,可能仅仅是因为大脑机制之间缺乏连贯,难以保持语言技能。
Learning a second language is far easier for some adults thanothers because of innate differences in how the various parts ofthe brain "talk" to one another.
The difference is so striking that researchers can even predict who will succeed in language skills,and who will fail, simply based on brain scans.
这种差异非常明显,以致于研究人员只需通过脑部扫描,就能判断谁适合学外语,谁不适合。
It is all to do with how well language centres of the brain communicate when resting. Mostlearning occurs when the brain is at rest, which is why sleep is so important.
Scientists at McGill University in Canada found that if left anterior operculum and the left superiortemporal gyrus communicate more with each other at rest, then language learning is easier.
"These findings have implications for predicting language learning success and failure," said studyauthor Dr Xiaoqian Chai.
“这些发现为预测语言学习的成败提供了线索,”研究报告作者柴小千(音译)博士说道。
For the study, researchers scanned the brains of 15 adult English speakers who were about tobegin an intensive 12-week French course, and then tested their language abilities both beforeand after the course.
Participants with stronger connections between the left anterior operculum and an importantregion of the brain's language network called the left superior temporal gyrus showed greaterimprovement in the speaking test.
However, that doesn't mean success at a second language is entirely predetermined by the brain'swiring.
然而,这并不意味着外语学习的成功与否完全取决于大脑各部分之间的联系。
"The brain is very plastic, meaning that it can be shaped by learning and experience," added DrChai.
“大脑的可塑性十分强,会受到学习与实践的影响,”柴博士补充说。
"The study is a first step to understanding individual differences in second language learning. Inthe long term it might help us to develop better methods for helping people to learn better."
Dr Arturo Hernandez, a neuroscientist at the University of Houston who studies second-languagelearning and was not involved in the study, said: "The most interesting part of this finding is thatthe connectivity between the different areas was observed before learning."