People who struggle to learn foreign languages may simply have brains that are not wired to retain linguistic¹ skills, a new study suggests.

最新研究表明，学外语比较吃力的人，可能仅仅是因为大脑机制之间缺乏连贯，难以保持语言技能。

Learning a second language is far easier for some adults than others because of innate² differences in how the various parts of the brain "talk" to one another.

有些成年人学外语就是要比其他人容易得多，这是因为他们大脑各部分之间的“沟通”方式与其他人存在先天差异。

The difference is so striking that researchers can even predict who will succeed in language skills, and who will fail, simply based on brain scans.

这种差异非常明显，以致于研究人员只需通过脑部扫描，就能判断谁适合学外语，谁不适合。

It is all to do with how well language centres of the brain communicate when resting. Most learning occurs when the brain is at rest, which is why sleep is so important.

学得好坏取决于大脑在休息时，各个语言中心之间的交流效率如何。大多数的学习会在大脑放松时进行，这也是为什么睡眠如此重要。

Scientists at McGill University in Canada found that if left anterior³ operculum and the left superior temporal gyrus communicate more with each other at rest, then language learning is easier.

加拿大麦吉尔大学的研究人员发现，在大脑处于休息的状态下，左侧额前回与左侧颞叶上回之间的交流越多，语言学习就会越容易。

"These findings have implications for predicting language learning success and failure," said study author Dr Xiaoqian Chai.

“这些发现为预测语言学习的成败提供了线索，”研究报告作者柴小千（音译）博士说道。

For the study, researchers scanned the brains of 15 adult English speakers who were about to begin an intensive 12-week French course, and then tested their language abilities both before and after the course.

研究中，研究人员扫描了15名成年人的大脑，这些人都是以英语为母语者。这15人随后参加了为期12周的法语课程集训，研究人员还测试了他们参加语言课程前后的语言水平。

Participants with stronger connections between the left anterior operculum and an important region of the brain's language network called the left superior temporal gyrus showed greater improvement in the speaking test.

在这些参与者中，大脑左侧额前回与控制语言学习的重要区域——左侧颞叶上回之间的联系更频繁的人，在语言测试中进步更大。

However, that doesn't mean success at a second language is entirely⁴ predetermined by the brain's wiring.

然而，这并不意味着外语学习的成功与否完全取决于大脑各部分之间的联系。

"The brain is very plastic, meaning that it can be shaped by learning and experience," added Dr Chai.

“大脑的可塑性十分强，会受到学习与实践的影响，”柴博士补充说。

"The study is a first step to understanding individual differences in second language learning. In the long term it might help us to develop better methods for helping⁵ people to learn better."

“这项研究是我们了解个体差异对外语学习的影响的第一步。从长远来看，它将会有助于我们寻找更合适的方法来帮助人们更好地学习语言。”

Dr Arturo Hernandez, a neuroscientist at the University of Houston who studies second-language learning and was not involved in the study, said: "The most interesting part of this finding is that the connectivity between the different areas was observed before learning."

休斯敦大学神经学家阿图罗·赫尔南德斯博士也在研究外语学习，但没有参与这项研究。他表示：“这项发现最有趣的地方在于，在学外语之前，大脑各部分之间就已建立起了相互的联系。”

"This shows that some individuals may have a particular neuronal activity pattern that may lend itself to better learning of a second language."

“这就表示，有些人可能拥有一个特别的神经活动模式，这个模式有助于学习外语。”

The research was published in the Journal of Neuroscience.

该研究发表于《神经科学杂志》。