MIT study shows that the brain reacts equally to Elvish and Klingon

Elvish, Klingon, and Pig Latin

According to НВ — Техно: Scientists say that studying artificial languages improves memory. A study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, described by Phys.org, has shown that the brain reacts equally to natural and artificial languages, including Elvish, Klingon, and Esperanto.

Neurobiologists conducted a tomographic study that revealed that the language centers of the brain activate equally when perceiving ancient languages as well as invented communication systems. This discovery underscores the potential use of artificial languages for training memory and cognitive flexibility.

Using artificial languages to improve memory

Scans showed equal activity in the language centers for Elvish dialects and languages from popular cinematic universes. However, programming languages do not trigger such an effect, as the brain recognizes them as dry algorithms without human emotions and context. Psycholinguists note that they invent artificial language systems consisting of several dozen words for scientific experiments.

Experts advise using artificial languages or children's codes to prevent age-related changes and improve memory. Learning the rules of Esperanto or training in recognizing new language patterns may be more effective than traditional methods, such as solving crosswords.

• Elvish
• Klingon
• Pig Latin
• Esperanto
• Ukrainian
• English

This study is significant for understanding how the human brain processes information and what methods can promote cognitive function improvement. The use of artificial languages could serve not only as a tool for learning but also as a means to support mental activity in older age.

This discovery opens new opportunities for developing educational programs that incorporate artificial languages as an effective tool for enhancing memory and thinking.

This fascinating research on how the brain engages with both natural and constructed languages raises questions about the future of communication technologies. For instance, advancements in artificial intelligence are also making strides in understanding brain activity, as seen in recent developments where AI interprets brain signals to generate text. Such innovations could complement findings on language processing and further enhance cognitive training methods.