What cognitive processes are likely to be exercised by bilingualism and does this exercise lead to extra-linguistic cognitive benefits?

Raymond M. Klein (Dalhousie University)

The various situations encountered by bilingual individuals are considered in light of the

cognitive processes that these situations might uniquely exercise. With these in hand we will

consider whether this exercise is unique to bilingualism, and whether this exercise results in

cognitive benefits that extend beyond the practiced (linguistic for bilingualism) realm. Although

the focus will be on the performance of young adults, some consideration will be given to the

experiences of young children and the performance of older adults.