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Old Dogs, New Tricks Posted by Keith Frankel on Aug 2, 2011 in Archived Posts
As the old adage goes, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. And a slew of scientific research has confirmed the spirit of the saying — at least when it comes to learning a new language. One recent study, however, challenges the notion of a language skill learning advantage in children. The leading thought…
Mesopotamian Language Dictionary Completed After 90 Years Posted by Keith Frankel on Jul 25, 2011 in Archived Posts
Scholars at the University of Chicago have completed a 21-volume dictionary of an ancient Mesopotamian language. The team of approximately 90 people documented and translated words that were written in cuneiform and carved into clay or stone tablets between 2500 B.C. and A.D. 100. Despite originally naming The Chicago Assyrian Dictionary (CAD) after the Assyrian…
Choosing the Best Second Language for You Posted by Keith Frankel on Jul 20, 2011 in Archived Posts
If you’re reading this, you most likely have already made the decision to learn a second language. Perhaps, though, you haven’t decided exactly which language it is that you want to learn. If this sounds like you, the question you need to ask yourself is: “Why do I want to learn another language?” Establishing the…
Bilinguals Do It Better Posted by Keith Frankel on Jul 18, 2011 in Archived Posts
Dr. Ellen Bialystok, a cognitive neuroscientist and professor at York University in Toronto, has spent nearly 40 years studying bilingualism and its effects. Bialystok presented her findings at the AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Annual Meeting in D.C. and, more recently, spoke with NY Times journalist, Claudia Dreifus, on the benefits of…