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Because all types of bilingual people can become fully proficient in a language regardless of accent or pronunciation,
上述三種雙語使用者，他們至少都能精通一種語言，無論是在腔調或是發(fā)音方面，
the difference may not be apparent to a casual observer.
因此，一般人難以發(fā)覺這三種類型的差異。
But recent advances in brain imaging technology have given neurolinguists a glimpse into
然而現在，由于大腦成像技術不斷進步，神經語言學家得以窺探
how specific aspects of language learning affect the bilingual brain.
語言學習對于雙語使用者的大腦產生何種影響。
It's well known that the brain's left hemisphere is more dominant and analytical in logical processes,
大家都知道，大腦的左半部主要掌管邏輯思考與分析，而右半腦則掌管情感與社交活動，
while the right hemisphere is more active in emotional and social ones,
雖然左、右半腦有所區(qū)別，
though this is a matter of degree, not an absolute split.
但并非完全獨立運作。
The fact that language involves both types of functions while lateralization develops gradually with age,
事實上，語言同時包括了左腦與右腦的功能，而隨著年紀增長，大腦功能逐漸側重其中一邊，
has lead to the critical period hypothesis.
這個觀點發(fā)展出關鍵時期的假說。
According to this theory, children learn languages more easily
根據這個理論，兒童通常學習語言較快，
because the plasticity of their developing brains lets them use both hemispheres in language acquisition,
是因為大腦仍在發(fā)展，因此仍具有可塑性，他們可以同時利用左、右兩邊的大腦學習語言；
while in most adults, language is lateralized to one hemisphere, usually the left.
然而，多數成人會偏向採用其中一側的大腦來學習語言，通常是左半腦。
If this is true, learning a language in childhood may give you a more holistic grasp of its social and emotional contexts.
如果這個觀點正確，那么從小就學習語言，能夠更容易掌握語言的社會和情感脈絡。
Conversely, recent research showed that people who learned a second language in adulthood
相反地，最新的硏究指出：
exhibit less emotional bias and a more rational approach
如果人們到了成年之后才學第二種語言，
when confronting problems in the second language than in their native one.
當他們遇到有關新語言的學習問題時，會呈現出較少的情緒偏見，也會有較為理性的思考。
But regardless of when you acquire additional languages, being multilingual gives your brain some remarkable advantages.
無論如何，當你學習新的語言時，可以替你的大腦帶來明顯的好處。
