English Crash Course

No one has yet figured out exactly how our brain works when we learn a new language. But it's safe to say it takes a lot of efforts and time; a few months for those who are talented in language, and maybe years for those who are much better working with numbers. There is no shortcut even if you are in a hurry.

Until your head is smashed, luckily.

According to this report, this was what happened to a Czech speedway racer after a rider ran over his head in an accident:

"Non-English speaker Matej Kus, 18, took the spill during a race in the UK. Paramedics were stunned when he came round and asked where he was – in perfect English. It soon became apparent that Kus had lost his memory, forgetting he was a Czech bike racer, and presumably thinking he was an accent coach at the BBC."

I was about to take a crash course myself, and wonder what language I would end up with after I come round--it didn't occur to me that I might not. Then one more glance at the story stopped me cold. It says:

"The biker's foray into the world of received pronunciation was shortlived, however. As soon as his memory returned, two days later, his command of English evaporated."

Wow, isn't our brain something?