Learning Another Language Appears to Slow Brain Ageing, Scientists Say

THE GUARDIAN: Study finds those who speak two languages have brains that appear around six years younger than those who speak one

This screenshot is from this Guardian article. | Experts also say the earlier people begin learning a second language, the better for their brain age. Photograph: StayHomeTakePhotos/Alamy
Learning another language could slow ageing in the brain by up to 13 years, according to research.

People who speak more than one language seem to have younger brains and the more languages you speak and the earlier you speak them, the better, according to findings from a study being presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies conference in Barcelona.

The study found that those who spoke two languages had brains that appeared around six years younger than those who spoke only one language. People who spoke three languages had brains that appeared around seven years younger, and for those who spoke four languages, their brains appeared about 13 years younger.

Our brains are made up of billions of nerve cells that communicate with one another. But as we get older, the connectivity in our brains often deteriorates, causing memory and speed of thought to decline. » | Anna Bawden | Health and social affairs correspondent | Monday, July 6, 2026

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Nick Clegg Insists on Speaking Dutch at Cabinet Office Meeting
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Nick Clegg holds a meeting in London entirely in Dutch with Herman Van Rompuy, allegedly to outfox David Cameron's 'spy'.

Nick Clegg, who speaks five languages fluently, chose to conduct a recent meeting at the Cabinet Office with Herman Van Rompuy, the European Council president, entirely in Dutch.

Did the Deputy Prime Minister, whose mother is from the Netherlands, do so to outfox a Downing Street official whom David Cameron had allegedly sent to spy on their conversation?

“Nick enjoys being able to talk Dutch,” the Liberal Democrat leader's spokesman tells Mandrake. “Similarly, when he meets leaders from France or Latin America, he’ll speak French and Spanish. It’s very much appreciated when he goes. Read on and comment » | Tim Walker. Edited by Richard Eden | Thursday, October 25, 2012