Bilingualism and dementia: how some patients lose their second language and rediscover their first

Abstract

Loss of language skills is a common effect of dementia, and research suggests that the resulting challenges may be more complex for bilingual dementia patients and their carers. The article describes the findings of a Gaelic-language, theatre-based workshop held in Glasgow in 2019 that brought together healthcare professionals, volunteers, community activists, dementia researchers, translation experts, writers and actors. The workshop was organised around a reading of a new play performed by the Gaelic language group, Theatre Tog-ì.