logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2023
34m 57s

What's it like to be bilingual?

Vermont Public
About this episode
Almost half the people in the world speak at least two languages. And, it turns out, that includes a lot of But Why listeners! In this episode we talk about what it’s like to speak multiple languages and kids from around the world share phrases in many different languages so we can all learn something new! Plus, linguist and professor Anna Babel answers questions we’ve gotten about languages, including: What does it mean to be bilingual? Why do some people speak two or three languages? How many languages can someone learn? Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript
Up next
Nov 14
How big is a Macy's parade balloon?
<p>The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an American tradition. It’s been going since 1924. This year marks the 99th parade (it took three years off during World War II). It’s famous for elaborate floats and huge character balloons that bob above the streets as the parade marches ... Show More
36m 4s
Oct 31
Why are there so many colors?
<p>What’s your favorite color? Where do colors come from?Why do people see colors? Does everyone see colors the same way? How many colors are there in the world? We learn about colors with Kassia St. Clair, the author of a book called <em>The Secret Lives of Color</em>. We talk a ... Show More
26m 26s
Oct 17
How is candy made?
<p>Who invented candy? Why is it so sweet? Why does hard candy melt in your mouth? How are candy corn, gummies and nerds made? What makes pop rocks pop? We talk with traditional candy makers at <a href="https://stickyusa.com/"><strong>Sticky</strong></a> in California and <a href ... Show More
19m 42s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2022
[Devenir bilingue] Le bilinguisme est-il dépassé? Pourquoi et comment parler plusieurs langues | Why and how to become bilingual in French and more languages
<p>Pour beaucoup de personnes dans le monde, la questions du bilinguisme ne se pose même plus. Les questions sont : comment apprendre une autre langue que l'anglais, comment atteindre un haut niveau et comment faire cohabiter ces langues dans le cerveau?</p> <p>Sommaire:&nbsp;</p ... Show More
18m 29s
Apr 2024
292. What Does Bilingual Actually Mean? (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Join Patreon! - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish What does it mean to be bilingual? What are the different types of bilingualism? Is it possible for anyone to become bilingual or multilingual? And how can you become bilingual in English and your native language? Hopeful ... Show More
22m 55s
Jul 2023
Misconceptions about Bilingualism and Multilingualism
Bilingualism and multilingualism is common in many households, yet there are many misconceptions about it. On this episode I welcome Alisha Gandhi, a bilingual speech language pathologist and clinical assistant professor of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at NYU, to discuss ... Show More
27m 38s
Jul 2023
Why Are Some Languages Harder to Learn Than Others? 2 Polyglots Share Their Experience
❓What is the most difficult language to learn? The short answer? It depends! The difficulty of a language depends on a number of critical factors, 6 of which I share in this video. I also explain why certain languages tend to be more difficult than others, and why ONE language ha ... Show More
11m 30s
May 2018
E44 Les enfants apprennent-ils les langues plus facilement ?
<p>On entend souvent que les enfants apprennent les langues plus facilement que les adultes. C’est d’ailleurs une excuse très pratique pour certains : </p> <p>« J’aimerais bien apprendre l’espagnol mais c’est trop tard, je suis trop vieux pour ça. »</p> <p>D’un autre côté, beauco ... Show More
34m 25s
Jan 2024
The benefits of being bilingual, with Viorica Marian, PhD
More than half the world’s population speaks more than one language. Viorica Marian, PhD, of Northwestern University, talks about why speaking multiple languages may have far-reaching cognitive benefits, how the bilingual brain processes language and how the languages we speak sh ... Show More
44m 34s
Apr 2024
Fluent in one language or good in many?
I often get asked whether it's better to focus on one language and become fluent in it or to explore many languages. In this video I talk about why I don't think there's one answer to this question. 
11m 19s