The Bilingual Brain: And What It Tells Us about the Science of Language (Hardcover)
How do two languages exist in the same brain? Why is it possible for the brain to forget a language? How does bilingualism sculpt the brain? Over half of the world's population is bilingual and yet this fascinating, complex ability of the human brain is understood by few. In The Bilingual Brain, leading expert Albert Costa explores the science of language through a wide range of cutting-edge studies and examples from South Korea to Spain to Canada. Looking at the development of the brain from infancy to old age, Costa shows us the impact of bilingualism on everyday life: from a bilingual's ability to multitask and make decisions to the way in which they interact with those around them. An absorbing examination of an extraordinary skill, The Bilingual Brain leaves us all with a sense of wonder at how language really works.
Enlightening and astonishing. . . very readable: the prose is gentle, anecdotal, witty, personal and balanced. . . Albert Costa (a Catalan-Spanish bilingual) died last year, and this book is a great testimony to his lifetime of research into the subject—Tobias Jones, Observer
Fascinating. . . This engaging book explores just how multiple languages are acquired and sorted out by the brain. . . Costa's work derives from a great fund of knowledge, considerable curiosity and solidly scientific spirit—Philip Hensher, Spectator
Absorbing. . . Amiably written, and reader-friendly even when delving into the minutiae of bilingualism, this compact but data-dense book throws out some intriguing ideas about the relationship of dual-language use to attitudes and behaviour—Boyd Tonkin, Arts Desk
A clear and approachable study by a renowned neurologist—Prospect
A fascinating primer on the science of language. . . Anyone with an inquisitive mind and an interest in language in general, and certainly bilingualism specifically, will find this book a compelling read—Victoria Murphy, TES
Neuropsychologist Albert Costa spent two decades exploring bilingualism, and his book offers surprising insights—BBC Science Focus