Abstract
ABSTRACT Purpose: to evaluate and compare cognitive and auditory abilities in normally hearing monolingual and bilingual individuals. Methods: the sample consisted of 21 normally hearing individuals ranging in age between 18 and 25 years, divided into a control group of eight monolingual speakers of Brazilian Portuguese and a study group composed of 13 bilingual speakers of Brazilian Portuguese and German or Italian. The individuals underwent basic audiological assessments as well as assessments of cognitive and auditory figure-background abilities with the BPR-5 and SSW tests, respectively. Results: the assessment of cognitive abilities showed that bilinguals had a better performance for the general cognitive function, with a statistically significant difference, as well as for cognitive abilities of verbal, spatial and mechanical reasoning. Also, for auditory figure-background abilities, there was a statistically significant difference between the study groups, with bilinguals showing a better performance. Conclusions: based on the study groups, it was found that the bilingual subjects had a better performance of their general cognitive function, as compared with monolingual speakers, as well as in their specific cognitive abilities of verbal, spatial and mechanical reasoning, and in the auditory figure-background abilities.
Highlights
As a result of all the advances and the process of globalization that have occurred in recent decades, the use of two or more languages the majority of the population has become a common practice
According to the census published by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 1940, there were 747,859 inhabitants in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) who did not speak Portuguese in their homes, but German (393,934) or Italian (295,995)[2] instead
This clearly shows that bilinguals differ from monolinguals when they need to respond to activities that have a higher demand of cognitive functions (Table 1)
Summary
As a result of all the advances and the process of globalization that have occurred in recent decades, the use of two or more languages the majority of the population has become a common practice. There is a growing interest of experts in investigating the acquisition and processing of language and its cognitive and neural bases. They wish to understand the implications of bilingualism on the cognitive development of bilingual individuals[1]. Bilingualism is a frequent reality in the Rio Grande do Sul, due to the great occurrence of European immigration. According to the census published by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) in 1940, there were 747,859 inhabitants in Rio Grande do Sul (RS) who did not speak Portuguese in their homes, but German (393,934) or Italian (295,995)[2] instead. In the region, locals still learn both the language of their ancestors and Brazilian Portuguese simultaneously[3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
