'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 The definitive study of
bilingualism and the human brain from a leading neuropsychologist Over half of the world's
population is bilingual and yet few of us understand how this extraordinary complex ability
really works. How do two languages co-exist in the same brain? What are the advantages and
challenges of being bilingual? How do we learn - and forget - a language? In the first study of
its kind leading expert Albert Costa shares twenty years of experience to explore the science
of language. Looking at studies and examples from Canada to France to South Korea The
Bilingual Brain investigates the significant impact of bilingualism on daily life from infancy
to old age. It reveals among other things how babies differentiate between two languages just
hours after birth how accent affects the way in which we perceive others and even why
bilinguals are better at conflict resolution. Drawing on cutting-edge neuro-linguistic research
from his own laboratory in Barcelona as well from centres across the world and his own
bilingual family Costa offers an absorbing examination of the intricacies and impact of an
extraordinary skill. Highly engaging and hugely informative The Bilingual Brain leaves us all
with a sense of wonder at how language works. Translated by John W. Schwieter
