Does Bilingualism Delay Speech?

Children growing up with two languages sometimes mix up words. This is usually a passing stage and does not point to a lasting speech delay. So bilingualism on its own is not a risk factor for speech delay.

Does Bilingualism Delay Speech? What Are the Facts?

Does bilingualism delay speech? The answer is no, and mixing words is usually a passing stage. Below we explain whether code-mixing is normal and when an assessment is needed.

Parents often ask, "Will learning two languages delay my child's speech?" In this article we look in detail at what research has found, whether code-mixing is normal and what to look out for.

Does Bilingualism Really Cause a Delay?

Research shows that bilingual children's total vocabulary is similar to that of children who speak one language. However, when each language is counted on its own, the number of words may look a little lower. So looking at both languages together gives a more accurate picture. For example, a child may say "dog" and "ball" in English but "su" (water) and "kedi" (cat) in Turkish. Each language shows only two words, but the child knows four.

What the Research Shows

Research on language development shows that bilingual children reach language milestones at similar ages to children who speak one language. Key steps such as first words and two-word sentences also appear within the expected age range in bilingual children. So bilingualism itself is not a cause of delay. What matters most is whether the child hears enough of both languages.

Is Code-Mixing Normal?

Using words from two languages in one sentence, known as code-mixing, is completely normal in bilingual children. This behaviour is seen as a sign of language skill, not of language confusion.

Why Children Code-Mix

Children sometimes use a word from one language because they know that idea better in that language. For example, a child may not know the preschool word for something they often hear at home. They may then drop the home word into the middle of the sentence. A child in Istanbul might say "I want more ekmek" because "ekmek" (bread) is the word they hear most at the table. This is not language confusion. It is a natural part of trying to communicate, and bilingual adults do it often too.

When Is an Assessment Needed?

If your child is clearly behind other children the same age in both languages, an assessment is helpful. You can find detailed information on our Language Development in Bilingual Children page.

Language Development in Trilingual Homes

Some families raise their children with three languages: one at home, another at school and a third with grandparents. Research shows that children can learn three or more languages well. What matters is enough consistent exposure to each language. However, as the number of languages grows, vocabulary in each language may develop a little more slowly. This is usually temporary.

How Is Assessment Different for Bilingual Children?

When assessing a bilingual child, the therapist needs to look at skills in each language separately and together. Looking at the dominant language alone can give an incomplete picture of the child's real language profile. So, where possible, the family is asked for detailed information about the child's words in both languages. The results are then read against this whole picture.

Some centres may not have a therapist who speaks both languages. In that case, the therapist can complete the assessment with an interpreter or with detailed information from the family. Whatever the method, the key is not to rush to a conclusion based on one language only. At our centre in Istanbul, sessions are available in English, and bilingual Turkish-English sessions can be planned around your child's language profile.

Ways to Support Both Languages at Home

It is important to offer a consistent, rich language environment in both languages. It also helps when each parent speaks their own native language, so the child can learn both languages well. Our article on activities that support language development at home may also help.

The One Person, One Language Approach

Some families use the "one person, one language" approach, where each parent speaks only their own native language. This method can reduce mixing because it makes clear which language is spoken with whom. But it is not the only right way. Healthy bilingual development is also possible in homes where both languages are used together.

Meeting a Second Language at Preschool

Some children meet their second language for the first time at preschool. An English-speaking child who starts at a Turkish-speaking preschool in Istanbul, for example, may stay quiet or say very little at first. This is known as the "silent period" and is a normal part of settling in. The child takes in the new language quietly at first and may start using it actively within a few months.

Tips for Parents During the Silent Period

During this time, be patient and supportive rather than pushing your child to talk. Keeping in regular touch with the teacher about your child's participation in class helps you see how things are going. Our article on Preschool and Family Partnership may also help.

Language Transition When Families Move Abroad

Children whose families move to another country need to learn both the home language and the language of the new country. They usually pick up the local language quickly from other children and from school. Keeping the home language, on the other hand, takes a conscious effort from the family. The home language matters not only for communication but also for family bonds and cultural identity.

Articulation Differences in Bilingual Children

Some sounds differ from one language to another, so a bilingual child's speech sounds in one language can slightly affect the other. For example, Turkish has no "th" sound, so a child learning Turkish and English may say "tank you" for "thank you" for a while. The Turkish "r" is also tapped or rolled, unlike the English "r". This is usually temporary and fades as the child learns to tell the two sound systems apart. However, if articulation difficulties clearly continue in both languages, an assessment can be helpful.

Long-Term Benefits of Bilingualism

Research suggests that children who grow up bilingual may show some advantages in areas such as mental flexibility, problem solving and attention control. Any small short-term delays are balanced by these long-term benefits, so keeping both languages is usually recommended.

Common Mistakes Parents Make

Some parents think about dropping the second language completely when they notice a slight delay. This is usually unnecessary and does not speed up language development. In fact, it can reduce the child's natural chances to communicate with family or the wider community. If you suspect a delay, talking to a specialist is a better step than dropping a language.

What Can Happen When a Language Is Dropped

Suddenly dropping a language can weaken a child's communication with family members who speak it and loosen their cultural ties. That is why therapists usually recommend richer, more consistent exposure to both languages rather than dropping one. The problem is rarely the number of languages. It is usually the amount or quality of exposure.

Ways to Increase Exposure

To increase exposure to the weaker language, try songs and books in that language. Video chats with relatives who speak it can help too. What matters is that this exposure is not passive. It should be as interactive as possible, with real back-and-forth conversation.

Grandparents Who Speak a Different Language

In some families, a grandparent speaks a different language from the one used at home. This can introduce the child to a third language. Most children adapt well to these multilingual settings. Still, each language needs enough exposure of its own for healthy development to show in every language.

Language Shifts in Families Moving to Turkey

Some children move to Turkey after living abroad, including children of Turkish families returning home. They may go through a change in their dominant language. During this transition, the child may have a temporary dip in the new dominant language. This is not a cause for concern and usually settles within a few months. Rather than dropping the old language completely, keeping up exposure to both languages is more helpful in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions