Why learn languages ​​improves health?

Probably those who decide to venture to the task of learning a new language they do to improve their job skills , learn about other cultures or cope when traveling . But much more than that : knowing a second language can greatly improve the health of people .

Given that the brain is an organ that must be exercised constantly to keep agility, a recent study published in the journal Neurology claims that bilingual people are less likely to suffer early neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's.

The study, conducted by professionals from the University of Edinburgh and the Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences in India , is based on analysis of 648 patients with this condition. The team found that those who knew two or more languages ​​had developed demencia4 , five years later than those only spoke one.

According to their findings , knowing more than one language enhances the development of the brain areas that are responsible for the executive functions and attention tasks . An interesting fact is that some of the patients involved in this study were illiterate , so it follows that languages ​​are not the level of education that focuses on prevention of this disease : switching between sounds, words and grammar structures stimulating factors would be more effective than currently available drugs .

Research suggests that bilingual people tend to be more creative and intelligent

It is not the first time that an investigation reveals that speaking more than one language keeps the brain fit and strengthens mental function : it is shown that this activity alters gray matter in the same way that exercise strengthens muscles. In 2011 professionals at York University in Toronto , Canada , and in early 2013 of the Medical University of Kentucky , United States , confirmed that regularly speak a second language delays the onset of dementia and improve brain performance .

In addition to preventing these diseases, benefits of learning other languages ​​are:

Improving intelligence : A multidisciplinary team of European professionals in 2012 revealed that after learning foreign languages ​​can increase brain plasticity and cognitive skills . Similarly, a study from the University of York showed that students who learn other languages ​​tend to perform better than monolinguals on tests of math, reading and vocabulary.

Stimulates concentration : The development of new neural pathways and tissues because of this activity leads to improved attention span of people. According to Canadian psychologist Ellen Bialystok , bilinguals have greater control nonverbal executive tasks than monolinguals , such as limiting their levels of distraction.

Learning new languages ​​can help avoid distraction and forgetfulness

Facilitates problem solving : The strategies developed to learn grammar , vocabulary and other language structures to the brain become more apt to solve other problems . According to research from Pennsylvania State University published in 2011 , who know more than one language are used to switch from one language to another , which helps to effectively solve several issues at once.

Optimizes memory of children : Psychologists of Spain and Canada showed earlier this year that bilingual children have better performance in memory-related tasks , such as remembering lists, dates and names.

It helps to take decisions : A 2012 study showed the link between knowing a second language and make rational decisions. Made on students at the University of Chicago , the analysis made ​​it clear that when people define situations bilingual in a language other than their mother tongue make more rational , fast and effective because there is a more logical and less emotional .

Power creativity : Association of sentences and meanings in a second language requires a conscious thought , where planning comes into play , flexibility and memory, three critical components for the development of creativity.

Improves language : learn abstract rules and structure of the language to a second language can help improve communication skills of people. The conscious use of language and writing fosters a more clear and correct speech .

While children learn languages ​​since is most effective , it is still possible to develop this potential into adulthood : begin studying a foreign language can be a good choice at any time of life.

The Spanish language and concerns of the director of the Cervantes Institute

If there is a book that is a delight is that of the 500 most frequent doubts Spanish , published by Spain . Victor Garcia de la Concha , former director of the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) , and today at the Instituto Cervantes , said home truths . The " big deal " the misuse of language comes from reading , because wealth is not learned from a theoretical book , but based on reading , "he said and asked . " Read you , reading is the basis of everything, " insisted .

Cervantes Institute in Madrid presented his book The 500 most frequent doubts Spanish , a work that seeks to ensure the correctness of spoken and written Spanish , since according to its director, Victor Garcia de la Concha , " we are in a period of neglect in the use of Spanish , Spanish talked a scruffy " .

Victor Garcia de la Concha emphasized the need for a campaign whose slogan is " Spanish rough treatment , write well , speak well," since " such a shame" that having " a language rich in nuances," Spanish speakers express "each time in a more poor."

The work published by the Oxford University Press publishing and aims to " resolve the doubts of speakers in general" and not just specialists avoiding jargon and using a question-answer format with "thousands of examples relevant to 500 questions to be faithful to a correct expression , "he explained .

Agencies claim the Spanish speaking Spanish doping official language

The agencies responsible for the fight against doping in sport in Spanish-speaking countries today claimed to Doping Agency (WADA) to "adopt Spanish as the official language and that can be used for appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) ".

Also, during the plenary session of the World Conference on Doping in Sport, held in Johannesburg, speaking agencies thanked "publicly" Higher Sports Council (CSD) the Spanish translation of the World Anti-Doping Code, the agency reported sports.

That measure, which was driven by the Spanish government through the CSD, allowed access to the Hispanic community in their own language to the rules governing anti-doping worldwide.

Luis Goytisolo: "I am a Spanish novelist"

Luis Goytisolo was awarded this Thursday with the National Prize of the Spanish Letters , a "great prestige " for this writer , who this year has also been recognized with the award Anagram Test .

   The author of works such as ' Journal 360 degree ' or ' Liberation ' has appeared before the press Thursday afternoon at the Royal Academy of Spain ( RAE ), the institution in which he held the chair C , within hours of learning that the second Spanish literature prize most important d Spain had fallen on him.

   Despite claiming that it is a prize "very important" , the writer and academic has an objection , " the statement" . " It's a bit confusing , should be called Letters Award of Spain , otherwise territorial language creates confusion in Latin America , where they believe the award is also for them," he noted.

   Goytisolo not feel a Catalan writer , as he claims that he has called throughout this day in several media. "I feel a Spanish novelist because it is the language in which I write , in which I feel comfortable. What I feel is Barcelona . Saying that I am a Catalan writer writers would offend Catalans, Catalan spelling I do not know " , says.

   Another thing to be "on the line " of other contemporary Spanish , which claims not to know , because what is clear above all is that " literature is regardless of nationalities " . " They are different concepts, there is a relationship over the language," he said.

   Asked by sovereignism boom in Catalonia , Goytisolo says he feels " a little outside" the political debate. I live " from afar " because the relationship people have with the times of the week in which is located in Madrid. The rest of the time is spent in Tarragona , in the countryside, where he is immersed in the restoration of a mill that was " made ​​a mess " .

   In his view, the situation that exists now in Catalonia has been repeated more times , as the year in which the Olympic Games were held , for example. In your opionion , these "bubbles " that " seem to disappear " and a day " prick " . " There is a real basis of nationalism which I think is a minority " has manfiestado .

REALISM OBJECTIVE : STARTING POINT

   From a young age , gender Goytisolo was imposed as objective realism authors also used as Ernest Hemingway and Cesare Pavese : " A cold and objective statement in which the author is not involved story , which brings the data so that the reader can interpret it ." This technique was developed in which ' Outside ' , the first piece that received the Biblioteca Breve Prize in 1958 .

   From then developed a style that has characterized his career , which stands out above all his works Antigonia ' . He recalls , for writing this book was very inspiring the 35 days he spent isolated in prison of Carabanchel ( Madrid) , where he remained for four months.

   "They were fruitful . Was a cell without furniture, so he had to write on the ground . Nor had paper , so I used toilet paper , which I still have some pieces . Such total isolation helped me to concentrate," he says.

   Asked about the current new social habits , Goytisolo believes that " the time devoted to the screens is time that eludes traditional book reading ." " There are good times ," he says , though she says that this statement refers only to that effect , and he believes that " there will always be readers."

Manual Launches to speak good Spanish language

The Royal Spanish Academy launches clarification on the proper use of language, cyclopean work involving particular speech to be attentive to all the countries of the region.

The concerns may be even as anecdotal , but lives show the evolution of language, which often mutates by numerous stimuli. Assuming this vitality and escfrita spoken speech , the Cervantes Acdademia just launched in Spain the manual 's 500 most frequent doubts Spanish , published by Oxford University Press , to solve pressing issues on pronunciation , spelling , grammar or vocabulary.

The collection comes after the success of The Book of the Spanish right , a hit with 15,000 copies sold. For Victor Garcia de la Concha , director of the Cervantes Institute and before the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) , doubts about the speech are daily bread , he said at the launch of the book, this morning : " To doubt is to start hitting " .

Some of the questions that come in the manual, are already on the anglicisms colloquial use ( Can you write mp3 ? ) Adaptations not frowned upon , but they can offer more of a surprise : Is it OK that Add Up? " Yes , but it is a redundant expression . These expressions : climb up , get down, get in, go out , are admissible in oral and colloquial use of language, which are generally used with the expressive and emphatic , but we must avoid in written texts "

Some 600 European professionals discuss new ways of teaching languages ​​in Aceia conference

Some 600 professionals from across Europe have shared experiences and have opted for "change and adaptation to the new economic and social at the conference of the Association of Language Centres in Andalusia Espeñanza ( Aceia ) representing the sector in Andalusia.

In a statement, the Aceia has indicated that Seville has become Saturday in " European epicenter of recycling and continuing education of language teaching in Europe " thanks to its annual conference , which has brought together more than 600 teachers from 70 schools across Europe , as well as free participants from universities or official language schools .

The meeting, which this year reaches its seventh edition and has developed over more than 40 workshops and conferences held simultaneously, has served to "create a fluid dialogue and exchange of experiences on how to constructively address the major challenges currently facing the field of language teaching , "he explained .

 Among them, the Aceia stressed " fundamentally changing profile of students, the increasing intrusion and sustaining the quality of teaching in times of crisis." The conference , as indicated by the association , " exhausted all its places for several days and has had a full house , in opening the conference and all workshops and conferences held throughout the day ."

The Association of Language Centres in Andalusia Espeñanza said that the "success" of the conference have contributed " not only the work of the entity over the year, but also the interests of all participants and the role played by the team of 35 volunteers " from Aceia associated centers and 20 exhibitors from publishers and companies related to the teaching of languages ​​, which " have worked in a coordinated manner . "

'Future in Spanish' was presented highlighting the opportunity of language as a Business Tool

The importance of Spanish as a business strategy worldwide and the need to support its expansion into new technologies are some of the conclusions that could be heard in the presentation of the 2013-2014 acts of ' Future in Spanish ' , organized by Vocento and CAF ( Development Bank of Latin America / Andean Development Coorporación ) held this Tuesday, November 5 , at the Cervantes Institute in Madrid. The event was sponsored by the Government of La Rioja , Logroño City Council , International University of La Rioja UNITE , Iberdrola, Aena , Foundation for New Latin American Journalism Australe FNPI and Mare Foundation .

' Future in Spanish ' is a forum for reflection on the power of language shared by hundreds of millions of Spanish as a communication tool : the key that gives access to a huge potential market for Spanish and American companies .

Fernando Rodríguez Lafuente , coordinator of ' Future in Spanish ' , opened the event by highlighting the importance of that " 9 out of 10 Spanish speakers are in Latin American dimension and that is a key issue . We need to reflect on the Spanish business opportunities . "

Meanwhile, Rafael Rodríguez Ponga, Secretary of the Institute Cervantes , said it is clear that Spanish is a language of the future , something that has proven in his recent visits to Latin America.

need

Vocento president , Enrique Ybarra , provided that these activities are aimed at expanding knowledge beyond borders : " Vocento and I believe in the need to call the same forces with the same names . Vocento is honored to be part of this noble and necessary goal as is the Future in Spanish " .

He also participated in the event, the director of UNITE , José María Vázquez García- Peñuela , who said that " our language is the third most used on the network is an opportunity for institutions to develop teaching ." " Initiatives like this and intense daily presence on the web is our best way to contribute to the future of the Spanish ," he said .

Conception Gamarra , mayor of Logroño , recalled that "the future of Spanish is a global future , since it is a multi-country language , open and where everyone fits . It's the future of communication , "adding that" it is also a business future . The Spanish have a double strategic future , international and regional level . "

experiences

In his speech, CAF director for Europe , Guillermo Fernandez de Soto , said " Spanish is the future for all Spanish speakers can learn from experiences " and stressed that " the language was born in San Millan de la Cogolla must be a counterpoint of values ​​and should give the best of themselves . "