Stroke patients are more likely to regain their cognitive functions if they speak more than one language, new research has discovered.

最新研究发现，如果中风患者会说不只一种语言，那么他们更有可能恢复认知能力。

A study of more than 600 stroke victims found 40.5% of those who are multilingual had normal mental functions afterwards, compared to 19.6% of patients who only speak one language.

这项针对600多名中风患者的研究发现，会说多种语言的人中，有40.5%的人病后恢复了到了正常心智，而只会说一种语言的病人中，19.6%的人恢复了正常心智。

The study was carried out by a team from the University of Edinburgh together with the Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad - with the Indian city chosen as the location for the study because its multi-cultural nature means many languages are commonly spoken.

发布该研究的团队来自爱丁堡大学和印度海得拉巴市的尼扎姆医学研究所。之所以选择印度城市海得拉巴作为研究对象，是因为多元的文化使得多语人士在当地很常见。

Researchers took into account other factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and age to ensure results could not be attributed to having a healthier lifestyle.

研究人员将其他因素也列入考虑范围，比如吸烟、高血压、糖尿病和年龄等，以确保该研究结果与更健康的生活方式无关。

The study, published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke, found 'results support the notion of a protective role of bilingualism in the development of post-stroke cognitive impairment'.

研究发表在美国心脏协会的《中风》杂志上，研究发现：“该结果肯定了这一概念——双语对中风后认知障碍的发展具有保护作用。”

It is the first time a study has been done looking at the relationship between the number of languages spoken and a patient's cognitive outcome after stroke.

这是首次有研究关注“会说几种语言”与“中风后患者的认知程度”之间的关系。

'The percentage of patients with intact cognitive functions post-stroke was more than twice as high in bilinguals than in monolinguals,' the paper said.

该论文称，“中风后认知功能未受损的双语患者的百分比数量是单语患者的两倍多。”

'In contrast, patients with cognitive impairment were more common in monolinguals.'

“相反，认知功能障碍在单语患者中更常见。”

Researchers believe the study, which was funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research, suggests the mental challenge of speaking multiple languages can boost cognitive reserve - an improved ability of the brain to cope with damaging influences such as stroke or dementia.

这项调查由印度医学研究委员会提供资金支持。研究人员认为，该研究说明多语能力对神经构成一种挑战，该挑战提高了认知储备——进而改进了大脑功能，能应对像中风或痴呆这种疾病的破坏性影响。

Co-author Thomas Bak, of the University of Edinburgh's school of philosophy, psychology and language sciences said: 'Bilingualism makes people switch from one language to another, so while they inhibit one language, they have to activate another to communicate.

共同作者之一、爱丁堡大学哲学、心理学和语言科学学院的托马斯·鲍克说：“双语让人们从一种语言转换到另一种语言，所以当一种语言被抑制时，他们不得不用另一种语言去交流。”

'This switching offers practically constant brain training which may be a factor in helping stroke patients recover.'

“这种转换提供了几乎连续不断的大脑训练，这可能是帮助中风患者恢复的一个因素。”