Do Bilingual Children Start Talking Later Than Monolinguals?
Let’s Bust a Myth!
Many parents of bilingual children worry that their kids might start speaking later than their monolingual peers. This belief is often fueled by misconceptions, comments from uninformed individuals, or improper comparisons to the linguistic development of children growing up with only one language.
But is it true? Do bilingual children start talking later? Let’s turn to scientific studies and the experiences of multilingual education experts to find the answer.
1. The Myth of Delay in Bilingual Children
The idea that bilingual children start speaking later stems from misunderstandings and a lack of reliable information. Parents often compare their bilingual children to monolingual peers of the same age, without considering the complexity of linguistic development in a bilingual context.
Additionally, we tend to analyze the situation from the perspective we know best: monolingual development (for most of us, at least). We all grow up with at least one language, so we assume we know how language acquisition works, even when it involves more than one.
It’s easy to project our own assumptions, as if we were all linguists. 😉
What Does Research Say?
Studies show that bilingual children start saying their first words between 12 and 18 months, just like monolingual children. There is no scientific evidence linking bilingualism to significant delays in language development. However, it’s important to understand that:
Growing up with more than one language adds complexity: not in terms of the child’s ability, but in the acquisition context and the social environment in which they are raised.
Generally, bilingual children divide their vocabulary between two languages, but it may also happen that they have learned the same term in all the languages they know. It depends on the context of use. For example, a child might know terms used at daycare but not know them in the home language.
At age two, a bilingual child might know fewer words in a single language than a monolingual peer, but their combined vocabulary across both languages is generally equivalent. Once again, it depends on the context.
Multilingual individuals use their languages in different contexts, with different people, and for different communicative purposes. For this reason, a child might appear very sociable and communicative in one language and less so in another. They simply “lack the words”! Literally. 🙂 This might make them seem delayed in their linguistic development.
Practical Example:
A monolingual child might know 60 words in language A by age two. A bilingual child, on the other hand, might know 30 words in language A and 30 in language B. The total vocabulary is the same, but it’s distributed across two languages.
2. Why Do Some Bilingual Children Seem “Delayed”?
What might appear as a delay in language development is actually a normal characteristic of bilingualism. So why does this perception persist?
a) Incorrect Comparisons
Bilingual children are often compared to monolingual children without considering the fact that bilingualism is a unique and different journey. We cannot expect them to follow the same pace if the conditions of acquisition are different. Ask yourself how many hours a day your child has direct contact with their communication languages. It will be difficult to have a balanced proportion. Moreover, there are only 24 hours in a day, so time will be (ideally) divided between the two languages (if there are two languages, and what if there are three?).
b) Parental Anxiety
When parents worry excessively, this anxiety can transfer to the child and negatively affect their language development. Decisions are often made based on fear: “I decided to enroll my child in the local school and not the international one because, you know, three languages are too much, I’m afraid they’ll get confused!” It is essential for parents to understand that every child has their own pace, especially in a multilingual context, but growing up with more than one language does not create confusion or disorders.
c) Environmental Factors
The surrounding environment, such as inexperienced teachers or professionals, may not be prepared to handle bilingual children. Unfortunately, many educators are not trained on this topic and therefore tend to assess the language development of their young students based on monolingual development standards.
How many times have parents who use my consultancy services expressed frustration about feeling misunderstood or even receiving improper advice regarding their children's language development. Unfortunately, this can also lead to premature or incorrect diagnoses. In my book, Watch your language, mom! A guide to multilingualism, I have compiled the factors that positively and negatively influence the multilingual language development of children. You can find it on Amazon, available in both Italian and English versions.
3. Supporting Your Bilingual Child’s Language Development
If you’re raising a bilingual child, here are some strategies to foster their language development without stress:
a) Avoid Comparisons
Every child has a unique learning pace. Focus on your child’s progress instead of comparing them to others. Trust their potential!
b) Make Learning Fun
Read books, sing songs, and play games in all languages. This creates a positive association with languages and language learning.
c) Be Consistent
Consistency is key in bilingualism. Speak your native language with your child daily and create a rich linguistic environment.
4. When to Be Concerned?
While most bilingual children develop language skills without issues, there are cases where consulting a speech therapist may be helpful. However, it is crucial to choose a specialist with experience and training in bilingualism.
When to consult a speech therapist:
If the child seems to have difficulty being understood, causing a high level of frustration for both the child and the adults.
If the child seems to have difficulty understanding both/all languages.
If the child growing up with multiple languages from birth has not yet said any words by around 18 months.
If you, as a parent, are concerned, remember that a speech therapist is available to address your doubts.
Important tip:
Not all speech therapists specialize in bilingualism. Make sure the professional you choose understands the specific dynamics of language development in multilingual contexts. If you're looking for a specialist and can't find one, write to me (info@karinmartin-linguist.com), and I'll send you my contact list.
5. The Role of Parents in Bilingualism
As parents, you are your child’s first language models. Not only will the way you approach bilingualism directly influence their learning, but also your attitude towards the languages spoken at home or in the country where you live.
In my book, Watch Your Language, Mom! A Guide to Multilingualism, I explore in detail the role of parents in language education and provide practical strategies for overcoming the challenges of bilingualism.
6. Conclusion: No, Bilingual Children Do Not Speak Later
Ultimately, there is no evidence that bilingualism causes delays in language development. Bilingual children follow a unique path that requires understanding and support. Instead of worrying about timelines, celebrate the wonderful linguistic journey you are embarking on with your child.
I’m sure they will thank you when they are older! 😉
Looking for Personalized Support?
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