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For some time now, scientists have been discussing the link between multi-lingualism and the brain. Finally, a recent study conducted by the European Commission entitled “The Contribution of Multilingualism to Creativity,” presents the first known macro analysis based on available evidence, which has been conducted by searching through several studies and giving particular attention to recent research on the brain.

The results of the study show that being multi-lingual contributes to a more creative and more effective thought process. One of the central cerebral areas highlighted in the research report is the one responsible for memory function. People rely especially on the short-term memory when thinking, learning and making decisions.

David Marsh, specialized planner at the Continuing Professional Development Centre of Jyväskylä University, who coordinated the international research team behind the study, says that the research conducted within neurosciences offers more evidence of versatile knowledge of languages being beneficial for the usage of an individual’s brain. “It is obvious that enhanced memory can have a profound impact on cognitive function,” says Marsh. This may be one reason why multilingual individuals show superior performance in handling complex and demanding problem-solving tasks when compared to monolinguals. They seem to be able to have an advantage in handling certain thinking processes.

The research report brings forth six main areas where multilingualism, and hence the mastery of complex processes of thought, seem to put people in advantage. These include learning in general, complex thinking and creativity, mental flexibility, interpersonal and communication skills, and even a possible delay in the onset of age-related mental diminishment later in life, Marsh relates.

This study was conducted during the period May 2008-June 2009 across all 27 EU Member States plus Norway and Turkey. It comprises an analysis of scientific literature, both European and International. Input given by thirty country experts and a Core Scientific Research Team (CSRT) was set against five hypotheses, as given by the European Commission.

Who knows, if the results of the study gain momentum in the scholastic realm, we could see mandatory multi-lingualism in curriculum. Leading us to a better communicating, more globalized world full of highly efficient thinkers.

It’s not very difficult to put a hole in the wall while reforming a house and end up finding a pipe. Then the situation becomes delicate: you must break the wall, figure out the location of the pipe and then drill a new hole in a different place.

This happens because most people do not have the blueprint for the property. If you do not have it, it’s almost impossible to guess where all of the pipes and wires are located, which makes any maintenance work more complicated and risk.

What people don’t know is that the same happens in localization. After generating the beautiful and complex graphics or that lovely PDF that took months to create in Adobe InDesign, sometimes people simply ignore the source files (those beloved editable files) and save only the final result. After all, no one will publish an editable file, right?

But when we need to change something in the file, how do we translate the text of the file? Without the source files, the only option is to extract all of the text from the file – which is frequently a manual process – translate the text and then try to create the file all over again from scratch. Clearly, besides spending almost the same amount of time it took to create the original file, the result is never quite the same. This problem could be easily resolved only if the source files had been saved.

So how about saving time, money and maintaining the quality of your translated material as high? Just save a few extra files and send them along when you need any changes to be made… It’s really not that complicated, is it? =)

Image Credit: www.flickr.com/photos/maryaben/

Mojofiti.com is a global network that gathers individuals from around the world by promoting communication among people of different nationalities. It has recently created the Mojofiti Foundation, an independent organization whose goal is to help non-profit organizations provide more assistance worldwide by breaking down language barriers. It is a unique platform for charity and communication.

“For nonprofits working across multilingual environments, language barriers cause unnecessary expenses, confusion, inefficiencies and wasted time internally between employees working in different countries. Language barriers can also negatively affect a nonprofit’s constituency and donor base”, according to a Reuters article.

Mojofiti assists in two ways: First, it allows free use to NGOs of its Mojofiti-powered real-time language translation-based solutions. This allows non-profits to communicate better and spend more time and energy on actually helping those in need. Second, Mojofiti raises funds and provides grants to organizations that need it most.

“More than a billion people suffer from lack of proper nutrition, safe drinking water, decent sanitation facilities, healthcare services, shelter, education, and many other basic human needs, yet help is often stifled because of inefficiencies created by language barriers,” said Herb Allison, managing director of the Mojofiti Foundation. “Global organizations working in multilingual environments to provide humanitarian relief depend on having the ability to communicate efficiently both inside and outside the organization, with their entire constituency, especially directly with people in need. Our goal is to remove these barriers and empower nonprofit organizations with tools that will help expand their reach many times over.”

Mojofiti is using the power of social networking and crowdsourcing by allowing “Mojofitians” (as they like to call their members) to register and be part of the family. Members can help work on the Mojofiti open source translation software, join groups, blog and make friends with like-minded people that want to diminish global language barriers.