The Big Idea
The Big Idea
BBC World Service
How does language work?
10 minutes Posted Sep 8, 2018 at 6:00 pm.
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Humans are a unique species in many ways, but an important one is that we communicate with sophisticated language, using words and grammar. So how does language work? Is there a single mechanism in the brain, or multiple mechanisms? Is it useful to learn a second language – what are the cognitive advantages to being bilingual? Cathy Price is a neuroscientist and a leading expert in language.

Presenter David Edmonds

Producer Ben Cooper

Image: A man delivering a speech (Credit: BBC)