A Review of the Neurobiology of the Bilingual Brain: What Have We Learned from the Last Two Decades?

The field of contemporary neuroscience has shown increasing interest in the functional representation of multiple languages within the human brain. This review synthesizes literature from the last twenty years, examining the neurobiological underpinnings of bilingualism. It offers a comprehensive analysis through various perspectives in neuroscience and concrete experimental findings. The paper discusses: (1) the intricate nature of bilingual language processing as evidenced by brain activity; (2) cognitive and neurological outcomes associated with bilingualism; (3) the evolution of bilingual capabilities throughout the human lifespan, with a focus on individual variability; (4) current neuroimaging techniques employed in bilingual studies; and (5) the relationship between language exposure and neural adaptability, culminating in key conclusions.

Keywords: Bilingualism; Neurobiology; Bilingual brain; Cognitive developmental psychology