hi Mark and David, what an interesting exchange this has been! David, did you not learn any Arabic at all? I am sure you know some 😉
And if bilingualism or plurilingualism had such an incredible effect, I’d expect continental Europeans to be much more advanced than their English and American counterparts
I’m not disputing the advantages of bilingualism, just suggesting avenues for research (maybe it’s been done, according to Mark’s link above)
BUT note for example that a bilingual person in Egypt is merely someone who is more educated, higher socioeconomic class – so is it the bilingualism that’s creating better health,etc., or his better social conditions?