Photo: Skylar Kang

Why do I forget simple words?

It is not necessarily a sign of something serious*, but more of an occasional brain glitch. Scientists have found that some things make TOTs more common – such as caffeine, fatigue, and strong emotions – and that words learned later in life are more likely to be forgotten.

discoverenglish.vic.edu.au - Why do we forget words we know? Tips for getting words off the tip of ...

How can I burn 500 calories a day?

Here are the 12 best fat-burning exercises you can do for 30 minutes a day to expend 500 calories. ... 12 Best Exercises To Burn 500 Calories In 30...

Last updated Feb 9, 2022

Is it better to run or walk to burn fat?

If your goal is to lose weight, running is a better choice than walking. If you're new to exercise or aren't able to run, walking can still help...

Last updated Nov 24, 2018

Learn More »

Promotion

Article by Elissa. Originally posted on ‘The Language Brain’. Reposted with permission.

It’s happened to all of us. You’re telling your friend about that new Netflix film starring… “wait… what’s her name? You know, the blonde one? From South Africa? She was in Mad Max: Fury Road…?” You can picture her perfectly, her name is on the tip of your tongue… what is wrong with your brain?!

Video from KZCrow

These moments are what scientists call: “Tip of the Tongue” states (TOTs) or lethologica (from the Greek lethe for “forgetfulness” and logos for “word”). TOTs happen no matter how old you are, or what language you speak (in Korean they say a word is “sparkling at the end of my tongue”). They even happen in sign languages where they are, more appropriately, called “tip of the finger” states. So are TOTs a sign of premature ageing? Or just a momentary “brain fart”? Well, let me put your worries at ease straight away: TOTs are a fairly common experience. Young adults experience them roughly once a week, and older adults about once a day. It is not necessarily a sign of something serious*, but more of an occasional brain glitch. Scientists have found that some things make TOTs more common – such as caffeine, fatigue, and strong emotions – and that words learned later in life are more likely to be forgotten. *when words are frequently forgotten due to brain damage, it is called anomic aphasia, and usually involves forgetting many everyday words.

What’s happening?

So what’s happening in the brain when we experience TOTs? It’s been an area of interest for psychologists and linguists alike. Producing language is one of the most amazing things humans do; there’s so much going on from beginning to end! And different parts of your brain are responsible for different parts: from recognising something you see, to remembering its meaning, its sound, and how to say it. Say you see an object, let’s say a turtle. First, the brain processes the image through your eyes, recognises it, and activates the concept of turtle in your mind.This is called activation at the semantic (or meaning) level, and happens in the temporal lobe (on your left side if you’re right-handed, slightly above and in front of your ear).

First, you recognise an object on a semantic (meaning) level.

As we saw in a previous article, the brain is connected through neural pathways, and concepts – like turtle – are connected to a sound label. So after activating the meaning, your brain activates the sound label of that word – e.g. turtle – which is at the phonological (or sound) level.

Then you activate the sound that goes with the concept: turtle.

How do you use bulletproof coffee to lose weight?

Take one freshly brewed cup of coffee, 1tbsp of MCT or coconut oil, and 2tbsp of unsalted butter. Mix it all in a blender and blend it till it...

Last updated Sep 9, 2021

How unhealthy is SlimFast?

As a meal-replacement diet, SlimFast does not meet the USDA's definition of a healthy meal plan since it replaces whole foods with shakes...

Last updated Nov 13, 2021

Promotion

If you then wish to speak that word, there’s a whole other stage! As your brain remembers the correct sound, it prepares to make those sounds with your speaking apparatus: your lungs, lips, tongue, jaw, larynx – all those parts of our body we almost never consciously think about, yet use so frequently. Your brain then tells these parts to move. Your lungs push air out, which creates flapping in your vocal chords, which is modulated with your tongue, teeth and lips to make the word: turtle!

Success! A complex process from seeing, to understanding, to producing sound.

So what’s going wrong when we experience TOT states? Scientists believe they are a result of a breakdown in this activation process from meaning to sound (the semantic to the phonological). You’ve probably noticed that even when you can’t remember the word, you can often describe it: e.g. it’a slow walking amphibian with a shell.It’s believed that the brain has activated the meaning of the word, but not the sound; like it’s short circuited, and skipped the phonological level. As a result, you have the idea in your head, and a sense of knowing it, but your brain just cannot activate the corresponding word sound.

Sometimes the brain accidentally skips some neurons.

Tip of the Tongue states are more common with infrequently used words, such as “spelunking” (to explore caves, usually as a hobby), or “abdicate” (to give up the throne), so many believe TOTs are due to a lack of use. It’s a bit like going down a hiking trail that hasn’t been used in a long time; chances are it will be overgrown with plants and harder to get through than trails used more frequently. This would also explain why bilinguals experience TOTs more often than monolinguals. As they have to split their time between two languages, overall, they use each language less often than a monolingual.

So what about bilinguals?

Bilinguals experience more TOT states, even in their native language, but this could also be due to another phenomenon: language attrition. This is what happens when a bilingual starts to forget their first language due to lack of use. If you have been living, working and playing in your second language, and rarely use your first language, it can start to fade away. As the saying goes: neurons that fire together, wire together. So, if you’re no longer firing neurons for that language, those pathways become weaker, and it becomes harder to remember the words you need.

Tips

Can walking reduce hip fat?

‍Can walking reduce thigh fat? Yes, it can. Brisk walking is considered a good cardio exercise. The idea is to pump up your heart rate. Mar 12, 2022

Last updated Apr 4, 2018

Which nuts will increase testosterone?

Brazil nuts are said to boost testosterone levels due to their high selenium content. A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving provides a whopping 988% of the...

Last updated Aug 6, 2021

Promotion

Fortunately, from all this research, scientists have figured out some ways to avoid Tip of the Tongue states. First: Don’t look it up. While your first instinct may be to Google it or ask a friend, this is actually the worst thing to do for your memory. Instead, try and describe it to someone. Describing the word you are looking for can trigger the sound memory.

Video from First Wolf

Second: Again, DON’T LOOK IT UP. Studies have found that looking up the answer actually increases the chances you’ll forget it again, leading people to forget the same words over and over again. Instead, get a sound clue about the word, like the first letter. For example, if you’re trying to remember the name of that famous actress who played Rachel on Friends, get a friend to give you the first sound:“Je-e-e…”. Or get them to make up a rhyming word e.g. Blennifer Blaniston. Third: If it’s language attrition, the answer is simple: use it or lose it! If you haven’t been speaking one of your languages lately, don’t expect it to come easily, especially if you are trying to remember difficult words you haven’t used in a while. For example, if you used your native language to study physics at university, but now you only use it to chat with family, it’s likely your brain will have trouble remembering after such a long time! A bit of revision – like reading, or listening to a podcast in your native language – should help bring it back to life.

Final Words

The good news? Tip of the Tongue states happen to everyone, and it doesn’t mean you’re losing your memory. And with a bit of work, the words will come back to you; you just need to remind yourself. So keep it active! And don’t freak out. Besides, sometimes describing the word you’re looking for is better for your language brain anyway – and more fun!

discoverenglish.vic.edu.au - Why do we forget words we know? Tips for getting words off the tip of ...

Does Saxenda speed up metabolism?

This medication helps reduce leptin resistance and can help lower leptin levels. This changes the biochemistry in your body and helps to naturally...

Last updated Feb 1, 2019

What are the benefits of Saxenda?

Saxenda® addresses one of your body's natural responses to weight loss. Your body naturally produces an appetite hormone known as glucagon-like...

Last updated Jul 18, 2021

Promotion

What time of day is your true weight?

first thing in the morning For the most accurate weight, weigh yourself first thing in the morning. “[Weighing yourself in the morning is most...

Last updated Oct 6, 2019

Promotion

What's the best vitamin to take to lose weight?

4 Best Vitamins To Help Lose Weight And Increase Strength Vitamin B. The primary function of vitamin B, specifically vitamin B12, is to metabolize...

Last updated Jun 18, 2018