A funny insight happened on the way to volunteerism

I recall a co-worker who could carry on two conversations simultaneously: one on the phone and other other with people in the room with her. I marveled at her ability and declared I could never do that. I mean, I can barely handle one conversation.

But I discovered something very interesting this past Monday when I on a call with my dad. I phone him twice a week and have him tell me the story of Journey to the West. Our conversations are in Cantonese, my mother tongue. My grasp of it is somewhat rusty having lived away from a large Cantonese population for 30+ years, but I’d still categorize myself as functionally bilingual speech-wise. While I was on the phone to dad–because it’s mostly him talking and me interjecting with a reaction every so often–I decided I would work on the VoteForward letters I’m writing for the GA election runoff.

I wasn’t sure I could do it given that I could’t carry on two conversations at the same time. To my complete surprise, I was able to compost and write the messages in each of the letters in addition to addressing the envelopes WHILE ALSO understanding everything my dad said (in fact, I processed so well, I realized he was repeating a segment of the story he had already told me previously).

This got me to wondering if different parts of the language areas of the brain, for processing (Wernicke) and speaking (Broca), are being used for the two different languages. If I had free time to go down that rabbit hole, I totally would. I love neurology and linguistics.

Have you had any fascinating insights or discoveries recently that you want to investigate further? Do tell!