Resolving the Issue: Does Intelligence Nurture Bilingualism or Bilingualism Nurture Intelligence?

Abstract

In past literature authors raised a significant issue of role of intelligence in learning different languages. Whether an intelligent individual learns two or more languages easily or an individual who has learnt two or more languages perform better on tests of intelligence. In learning a second language, intelligence has been considered as an effective factor. Acknowledging the above issue, a heterogeneous sample of 38 bilinguals (17 boys and 21 girls) and 44 monolinguals (19 boys and 25 girls) was selected. The scores on intelligence test ranged from 34-41. Monolinguals and Bilinguals were then compared on problem solving ability, concept formation (wrong responses), verbal and figural creativity. To find out the significance of differences between the two groups t-test was applied. The results specified that Bilinguals performed significantly better on problem solving ability as compared to monolinguals, they show an edge on figural fluency and even flexibility and elaboration on both verbal and figural tests of creativity in comparison to monolinguals. Whereas no significant differences were found between the two groups on verbal fluency, concept formation which was measured by wrong responses committed by both the groups. Therefore in nutshell we can argue that bilinguals performed better than monolinguals on various cognitive abilities and language has a profound and nurturing role in overall development of intelligence.