Letters: the benefit to the brain of being bilingual is still a grey area

https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2016/aug/13/letters-benefits-brain-bilingualism

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“Why being bilingual does wonders for your brain,” (New Review) extols research demonstrating the benefits of bilingualism and dismisses contradictory findings, saying that “detractors” have made “errors in their experimental methods”.

In fact, much of the research challenging the bilingual advantage has been conducted precisely to overcome experimental issues associated with many of the original, supportive studies.

Our research in north Wales offered a rigorous test of the bilingual advantage hypothesis by comparing bilingual Welsh/English speakers with otherwise very similar monolingual English speakers across a number of age groups. Bilinguals showed no advantages in cognitive reserve or cognitive performance. Our studies were funded by the Economic and Social Research Council following rigorous peer review; in one case, we involved key proponents of the bilingual advantage as co-investigators to ensure that the design and methods were optimal.

The resulting publications have also been subject to rigorous peer review. Therefore it seems unlikely that our findings can be attributed to “experimental errors”.

This is a field of research in which views are highly polarised and there is documented evidence of significant publication bias against negative findings. Rather than a simple dichotomy, it seems there are complex factors in play that determine the conditions under which cognitive benefits of bilingualism are evident or absent. We believe that a more balanced approach is most likely to lead to a full understanding.Linda Clare, professor of clinical psychology of ageing and dementia, University of Exeter; Virginia C Mueller Gathercole, professor of linguistics, Florida International University, Miami; John V Hindle, consultant physician, Betsi Cadwaladr University health board and school of medical sciences, Bangor University; Enlli Thomas, professor and head, School of Education, Bangor University

End stamp duty for elderly

Theresa May’s policy chief, John Godfrey, wishes to help elderly people downsize by building “more housing to give people a choice of the right sort of home” (“Elderly should sell homes to fund care, says top May aide,” News).

But this is only part of the solution. A quicker way to facilitate downsizing for the over-65s would be to abolish stamp duty in their case. Such a measure would not only remove a cost-related impediment to moving house, but would also have a catalytic effect on the housing market overall, generating further sales and considerable stamp duty revenue down the chain for every sale at the top end.David HeadNavenby, Lincoln

Cut emissions to help the poor

One of your interviewees suggests that if emissions were cut soon enough to limit climate change, “people would suffer” (“Scientists warn world will miss key climate target,” News).

In fact, emissions cuts could easily be targeted to minimise short- and longer-term suffering. Taxes on fuel or consumer pressure on large companies would give businesses a strong incentive to improve energy efficiency and reduce the most polluting activities in their supply chain. Some of the tax revenue could be used to insulate poor people’s homes, provide low-carbon facilities for people in developing countries and employment for those on low incomes. Development NGOs, faith groups and environmental campaigns should combine to demand such action.Tim RootMuswell Hill and Hornsey Friends of the Earth, LondonN10

Cash for fracking not a good idea

What is the evidence for Theresa May’s decision regarding compensation for fracking? (“Local people to get cash payments from fracking,” News). Michael Sandel’s What Money Can’t Buy has a passage about community compensation. The residents of a Swiss village voted in favour of accepting a nuclear waste site. However, when asked if their view would change if offered a personal cash incentive, the number in favour dropped from just over 50% to 25%. Many said they could not be bribed.

Sandel cites studies showing that while cash payments to individuals are generally resented, community compensation in the form of public goods is often welcomed. A new playground is seen as an appropriate way of honouring the civic sacrifice. I doubt if any of this has been brought to the attention of the prime minister, but even if it has she will probably disregard it. You quote her as wanting people to benefit personally from economic decisions, “not just councils”. Those last three words dismiss the concept of community as effectively as Margaret Thatcher’s “no such thing as society”.John FilbyAshover, Derbyshire

Sad ending for the ill-informed

Conceding that “much needs to be done to take the damaging edge off the Leave vote”, Anne McElvoy argues that “telling the public it did not know what it was doing is a poor place to start”. (“Elites must start listening to the ‘smelly citizens’ in the streets,” Comment). Nissan, as a direct result of Brexit, has announced that it is considering closing its plant in Sunderland, making thousands redundant. 61% of voters in Sunderland voted for Leave. Did they know what they were doing? I doubt it. David HoultStockport