The Power of Bilingualism: A Conversation with Antonella Sorace

In this episode, Antonella Sorace, Director of Bilingualism Matters, joins the host to share her personal journey and dispel common myths about bilingualism. Together, they explore how bilingualism shapes identity and fosters adaptability, with Antonella explaining that while bilinguals often feel “in between” cultures, this very adaptability is a key advantage. She discusses cognitive benefits, including improved attention and earlier development of perspective-taking in bilingual children. The conversation also touches on what happens when native languages aren’t used regularly and feel less accessible over time – even if words or grammar become harder to access, these languages are never truly lost and can be reactivated with exposure. Antonella highlights the importance of maintaining minority languages, the role of artificial intelligence in language preservation, and the risks of linguistic homogenisation. Listeners are encouraged to embrace and value their own linguistic diversity. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Bilingualism 01:07 Personal Journey into Bilingualism 04:13 Common Misconceptions about Bilingualism 06:15 Bilingualism and Identity 11:40 Cognitive Benefits of Bilingualism 18:16 Language Accessibility and Attrition 22:44 Cultural Value of Non-Dominant Languages 29:30 The Importance of Maintaining Home Languages 34:39 Empathy and Perspective in Bilingualism 35:06 The Importance of Bilingualism 38:34 Misconceptions About Bilingualism 40:00 The Role of AI in Language Preservation 44:45 Encouraging Language Learning in Adults 48:00 The Value of Maintaining Bilingualism 52:43 Bilingualism as an Adventure 54:24 Identity and Belonging in Bilingualism Resources mentioned:Bilingualism Matters, by Maria Garraffa, Antonella Sorace, and Maria Vender Connect with Antonella:Bilingualism Matters’ website: https://www.bilingualism-matters.org/ Antonella’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonella-sorace-2214625/ ---Thank you for listening to From There To Here!If our guest's story resonated with you, please like, follow and rate the podcast – that would make a massive difference to the production of the show.I was your host Emma Bellamy, and I can’t wait to bring you on another journey From There to Here!LinkedIn || Instagram || Spotify || Apple PodcastsThis podcast brought to you in partnership with Kintsugi Heroes. To find out more, head to kintsugiheroes.com.au.