Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

DD turned 1 last week and has yet to say any real words - not even mama or dada, sure she babbles all day, but everything is indiscriminate. I am wondering if there is any correlation between her delay and the fact that she is exposed to multiple languages on a daily basis?

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

I've never heard of it happening. As a matter of fact, when we lived in our old apartment, our landlord had two little girls and they were both learning English and Italian. Their one daughter was incredibly bright and never had any speech delays while they're other daughter was nearly two and barely speaking. I think it's more a case of every baby developing at their own pace.

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

I think it depends on what you feel would bother you.
my mom says that my brother went to Kindergarten not speaking one word of English (both my parents are off the boat, so he had no choice )
and he picked up just fine. no accent, nothing.
capeesh ?

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

I have heard that it does delay speech... but if it makes you feel better, DD is 14 months, we only speak English and just recently started saying Mama although not even to me

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

To avoid "confusion" between both language babies should hear the same people talking the same language all the time and not switching back and forth.

Although, they can learn later how to separate both language later.

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

I think it depends on the child.... My brothers and I grew up in a bilingual house and we didn't have any speech delay.

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

My son is exposed to Croatian by my inlaws and they babysat for him a lot while DH and I worked his first year (2-3 full days a week). I thought that a delay might occur, but Michael has NOT shown any delay in speech. Your pediatrician should be able to tell you how many words you child should be saying at this point.

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

i'm a speech therapist... i agree that it depends on the child if they get "confused" or not- more often than not, they don't and are able to seperate both later...
as far as your DD speech- if she just turned 1, she is probably right on schedule- usually the first words happen between 12-18 months... theres a huge explosion of words during this time in most kids, so she should be fine! does she understand everything? like if you ask her to point to something or bring you something, will she? if so, thats great and its only a matter of time until she starts using the words to go with it

ETA: some tips to get her to start using words-- give her choice. for example, if you are getting her a drink, ask her "milk or juice?" ( keep it simple)..this way, she HAS to at least attempt to say one of the words instead of just nodding her head that she wants a drink. also, when you are playing with her, give her something she cant do ( a washable marker with the cap on, put a small toy instead a container that she can't open), then you when she hands it back to you to open, you can model " help?" and try to get her to say "help"... little things like this will help her to start using words more instead of just pointing or grunting... good luck!!

Message edited 5/23/2007 4:00:16 PM.

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Posted by HappyAnon

Posted by smdl

To avoid "confusion" between both language babies should hear the same people talking the same language all the time and not switching back and forth.

.

I completely disagree and I base my opinion (my opinion only) on my personal experiences. My DD is 2 and she's bilingual. Spoke both languages very early on. Understands both b/c she replies to both. I alternate between them so she hears both from me, not just one. Also, I am a product of bilingual education both early on in the home and in school and I am fluent (can read, write and speak) 3 languages with no confusion at all. Very early on I was able to speak 2 languages just fine. I think it's a great asset to the kids and it will only benefit them in the future.

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

and honestly, I think having a speech delay is worth it to be bilingual

Ive found that being able to speak another language, it's VERY easy to pick up on almost any language (almost )

Growing up in Astoria, I learned A LOT of Greek, I can have a limited conversation, can count to at least 100.
I learned Spanish VERY easily.
and have picked up lots of Armenian from my hubby's family.

I LOVE learning languages.
my whole family is fluent in Italian, and Id say just about fluent in Spanish (although we dont speak Spanish to eachother, we've always used it to speak to our tenants/neighbors, etc.)

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

My son (18mos) is on target with his speech development and he is being raised in a trilingual home- English, Greek and Spanish. He says words in all 3 languages and understands all 3.

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Posted by HappyAnon

Posted by smdl

To avoid "confusion" between both language babies should hear the same people talking the same language all the time and not switching back and forth.

.

I completely disagree and I base my opinion (my opinion only) on my personal experiences. My DD is 2 and she's bilingual. Spoke both languages very early on. Understands both b/c she replies to both. I alternate between them so she hears both from me, not just one. Also, I am a product of bilingual education both early on in the home and in school and I am fluent (can read, write and speak) 3 languages with no confusion at all. Very early on I was able to speak 2 languages just fine. I think it's a great asset to the kids and it will only benefit them in the future.

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Posted by anna

I think it depends on what you feel would bother you.
my mom says that my brother went to Kindergarten not speaking one word of English (both my parents are off the boat, so he had no choice )
and he picked up just fine. no accent, nothing.
capeesh ?

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Posted by anna

and honestly, I think having a speech delay is worth it to be bilingual

Ive found that being able to speak another language, it's VERY easy to pick up on almost any language (almost )

Growing up in Astoria, I learned A LOT of Greek, I can have a limited conversation, can count to at least 100.
I learned Spanish VERY easily.
and have picked up lots of Armenian from my hubby's family.

I LOVE learning languages.
my whole family is fluent in Italian, and Id say just about fluent in Spanish (although we dont speak Spanish to eachother, we've always used it to speak to our tenants/neighbors, etc.)

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Posted by anna

Posted by HappyAnon

Posted by smdl

To avoid "confusion" between both language babies should hear the same people talking the same language all the time and not switching back and forth.

.

I completely disagree and I base my opinion (my opinion only) on my personal experiences. My DD is 2 and she's bilingual. Spoke both languages very early on. Understands both b/c she replies to both. I alternate between them so she hears both from me, not just one. Also, I am a product of bilingual education both early on in the home and in school and I am fluent (can read, write and speak) 3 languages with no confusion at all. Very early on I was able to speak 2 languages just fine. I think it's a great asset to the kids and it will only benefit them in the future.

I TOTALLY agree with you! that's AWESOME, what 3 languages ?
Languages intrigue me. I have a thirst for learning more languages!

also smdl - the early years are the best years for them to grasp another language. I think up to age 4-5 ?

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Posted by anna

Posted by smdl

I plan for DH and I to talk to our son in both languages as soon as he is born.

Yes, it is best to start asap.

He will be exposed to both languages right away so he will be trully bilingual.

but didnt you just say the opposite, or am I reading wrong ?

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

This is what I read as well. We speak to DD in English only. Grandma and grandpa who lives downstairs, another language.

I'm not bothered by the potential delay IF it is eventually made up.. I just wanted confirmation that it is the multiple languages that's causing it. That's all..

Re: Bilingual babies -- does it lead to speech delay?

Posted by anna

Posted by pnm1654

My son (18mos) is on target with his speech development and he is being raised in a trilingual home- English, Greek and Spanish. He says words in all 3 languages and understands all 3.

marcela- that's GREAT !
My boys shy away from speaking it, but when they learn words and phrases, they get all giddy and want more, so they go in phases

keep up the great work with that