Will learning two languages delay my child’s speech?
In a world buzzing with globalisation and cultural richness in many countries, the ability to speak multiple languages is not just a skill - it’s a superpower!
Australia itself has experienced a significant increase in the amount of people who speak more than one language at home. As per the census data taken in 2021, 5.8 million people (22.8%) reported using a language other than English at home, an increase from 4.9 million people (21.6%) in 2016 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022).
Bilingualism has been found to have a positive impact on language development in children, and it can also promote cognitive and cultural development. However, many families are concerned about possible negative impacts which exposing more than one language to a child will have. Let’s debunk fact versus fiction surrounding bilingualism and talk about the many benefits which it has on a child’s language development!
How Do Children Become Bilingual?
Bilingual children often learn two languages in one of the following ways:
Simultaneously: The child is exposed to and learns two languages at the same time
Sequentially: The child is exposed to and learns a preferred language first, then exposed to the other language at a later stage, usually when the preferred language has already been established
When your child is beginning to learn a new language, you may see them go through the following learning stages:
A silent period - they are listening to and processing new words which they are being exposed to in both languages
They develop their language at the same rate that single-language speakers do i.e. first words at 1 year before combining two words at 2 years of age
Code switching and incorrect grammar use - your child may combine words from both languages when forming sentences, and might use the wrong grammatical forms. These mistakes can occur similar to how single-language speakers also make errors when they first learn to speak their language
MYTH BUSTER: Bilingualism Does NOT Cause Language Developmental Delays
Contrary to popular belief, bilingualism won’t slow down your child’s language development. Bilingual children are generally able to develop language skills similar to how single language speaking children do. However, some children, whether they speak one, two, or more languages, may have difficulties with their speech and language. If a child has a speech or language difficulty, it will be present across all of the languages which they speak, which can be addressed and supported by a speech pathologist.
MYTH BUSTER: Bilingualism Does NOT Cause Confusion
Another myth about bilingualism is that it can cause confusion due to “code-switching”, where individuals mix languages within a single sentence or conversation. However, code-switching is a natural and common phenomenon in bilingual speakers, and it is not a sign of confusion or lack of proficiency. Bilingual individuals are able to switch between languages depending on the context and the people they are speaking with, which can actually enhance their communication skills and higher-level executive functions (Marian & Shook, 2012). It's not chaos; it's cognitive prowess!
MYTH BUSTER: Bilingualism DOES NOT harm cognitive development
Quite the opposite really! Bilingualism has been shown to have a positive impact on cognitive development, including:
Problem-solving abilities
Working memory
Executive function.
These cognitive skills are closely tied with supporting children's ability to understand and produce language.
Additionally, being able to process and switch between languages can help support cognitive flexibility and adaptability. This adaptability can promote metalinguistic awareness, which is the ability to understand how language works, such as grammar rules and sentence structure, therefore having a positive impact on their language development and academic success.
BONUS: Bilingualism Promotes Cultural Awareness
Culture plays an important role in bilingual language development, as language is often closely tied to cultural practices, traditions, and ways of life. When children learn multiple languages, they also gain exposure to different cultures, which can enhance their understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives and ways of living. They can also participate in cultural activities that take place in their home language, enabling them to form stronger relationships with people who speak that language, such as grandparents. Additionally, understanding and respecting different cultural practices and norms can support language development, as children learn to use language in context and understand the social and cultural meaning of different words and phrases.
Strategies for Bilingual Magic:
Speak confidently in your preferred language: One parent may choose to speak in one language while the other parent speaks in another. Both parents may also choose to speak in one language, which may be their native language that they are comfortable speaking, whilst their child is exposed to the other, more widely spoken language (e.g. English) in community settings, such as school. - remember this actually doesn’t cause confusion!
Create diverse language opportunities in various settings: for hearing and speaking both languages at school, home, family events and with different people
Immerse your child in bilingual books and tales: You can find books available in various languages at bookstores, libraries and even on the internet!
Sing with your child! Introduce your child to nursery rhymes which may be common in both languages. If it’s not available in both languages, you can make one up to fit the same tune!
So, should I raise my child to be bilingual?
That’s up to you! Do what is most comfortable for you and your family. If you aren’t comfortable with speaking a language that you are not fluent in, there is no need to do so as you want to give your child the best language models that you can with minimal stress on both of you.
Choose comfort for your family. If speaking multiple languages feels right, go for it! Worldwide, children thrive with multilingual prowess. Should challenges arise, our speech pathologists are here for support.
References:
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022, September 20). Cultural diversity of Australia | Australian Bureau of Statistics. www.abs.gov.au. https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/cultural-diversity-australia
Marian, V., & Shook, A. (2012). The cognitive benefits of being bilingual. Cerebrum: The Dana Forum on Brain Science, 2012(13), 13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583091/