MultiAge: Multilingualism and Ageing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MultiAge: Language production in multilingual older adults living with cognitive impairment
IRAS ID
362034
Contact name
Angela M. T. de Bruin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of York
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
Multilinguals (people who can communicate in more than one language) sometimes need to speak in one language, sometimes in multiple languages, and sometimes they can switch between languages (using words from different languages within one sentence or conversation). This might require "language control": mechanisms multilinguals use to make sure they say words in the language(s) understood by their conversation partner, without accidentally using another language. This project examines how this language control, and the way multilinguals produce words in their languages, differs between multilinguals living with or without cognitive impairment.
Language changes can be an early indication of cognitive impairment, but this is largely based on research with monolinguals speaking one language (often English). The research and clinical assessments currently used might not apply well to multilinguals, despite over half of the world population (including large communities in the UK) being able to communicate in more than one language. The current research therefore aims to examine if tasks specifically looking at multilingual language production could be used to develop future assessments more suitable for multilinguals.
The study therefore asks multilingual speakers to complete a) a short scene description task to examine multilingual language production; b) a few short interviews and questionnaires to better understand their language background and experiences; c) a short memory task and interview to better understand their general cognitive functioning. The full study, including information, ample time for questions, and frequent breaks, will take around 2.5 hours. We are working with speakers of Mirpuri-Pahari-Pothwari and/or Punjabi/Panjabi, as well as English. Participants should be living with cognitive impairment and be aged between 60-75 years. Participants will be recruited across England and can be tested in their location of choice.
This research is funded by UKRI as part of the Horizon Europe guarantee scheme for selected ERC grants (Grant number: EP/Y036522/1).
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/EM/0074
Date of REC Opinion
9 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion