Can Speaking Multiple Languages Cause Speech Delay?
Speaking multiple languages does not cause speech delay. Learn how multilingual toddlers develop language, how to track vocabulary across languages, and when to seek a speech assessment.
Parents often mention that they speak three languages at home (English, Arabic, and Tagalog) due to this their child has not started saying words yet. Is speaking multiple languages confusing their child and causing a speech delay?
Children who are exposed to multiple languages develop communication milestones around the same time as children who are exposed to only one language at home. They developed all the milestones at approximately the same time.
The only difference is how their vocabulary is distributed. A monolingual child might have 50 words in a single exposed language. A trilingual child might know 20 words in Arabic, 15 in Tagalog, and 15 in English. When you add those words together across all three languages, then the child has 50 distributed total word vocabulary, which makes them completely on track.
Combining languages within the same sentence is called ‘code-mixing’, is also considered normal. Child might say "more juice habibi" or "more dajaja". It does not represent confusion. It displays that your child has creativity in using every word they know to what they need.
Example: Imagine a 24-month-old toddler is exposed to 3 languages where the father speaks Arabic, the mother speaks French, and the nursery provides English exposure. The parents noticed that their child uses only around 15 words in the English language and has a delay.
While investigating they have realised that the child's full vocabulary has 20 Arabic words, 18 French words, and 15 English words. That equals total 53 functional words, along with this he has good eye contact, clear pointing intentions towards his needs, and strong understanding of all three languages. This profile reflects healthy multilingual language development.
What Speech Therapist in Dubai investigates?
Total number of functional words: Listing words across all languages a child is exposed to rather than investigating only one language in isolation.
Understanding language: Does the child understand everyday instructions and questions?
Non-verbal communication: Child’s use of gestures such as pointing, waving, nodding to express their needs.
Engagement with people: Response to their name call, share of joy, reciprocation of babbling or play, and maintenance of eye contact.
Language exposure: Consistent exposure of the child to rich and fluent language models.
How Can Parents Help?
1. Decide the language to focus: Use the language which you feel most comfortable and natural, so your toddler hears rich vocabulary, intonation and appropriate grammar.
2. Use One parent, one language Approach: Having each caregiver consistently initiating their own native language which helps to provide clear exposure.
3. Keep list of Vocabulary: Do keep track of combined list of words your child uses in each language to track vocabulary growth.
4. Focus on quality interaction: Read simple books, sing rhymes, respond through their daily routines, and pause to give your child opportunity to respond.
5. Do not drop native language: Research shows that dropping a home language does not improve speech development and can rather reduce valuable parent-child interaction. Only if there is significant language delay, it is recommended to focus on one language at a time.
When to go for Assessment ?
Though multilingualism does not cause delay, speech delays can still be seen in multilingual children. If a delay exists, it will appear across all the languages in the child's repertoire, not just one.
An Investigation with a speech-language therapist may be considered helpful if your 2-year-old:
- Has fewer than 50 total words combined across all three languages for 2 yr old.
- Does not use combination of two words (like *"hot water"* or *"mama bye-bye"*) across any language.
- Does not point towards items of his needs or make frequent communicative gestures instead of initiating speech.
- Does not understand simple spoken instructions in their primary home languages.
- Challenges in social interaction or does not respond consistently to their own name.
Multilingual Toddler Development: Myths vs Facts
| Common Concern | Clinical Perspective | What to look out For |
| Three languages should not be exposed to the young brain. | Toddlers can acquire three languages simultaneously without cognitive overload. | Make sure that child gets regular quality language exposure in each language. |
| Mixing words from different languages will create confusion for my child. | Code-mixing is considered a normal and resourceful stage of multiple language acquisition. | Focus on whether the child interacts with their needs successfully with people around. |
| Switching from only one language to English will make my child talk faster. | Eliminating home languages does not accelerate language development and deprives children of rich language models. | Speak your strongest, most fluent language with your toddler. |
| Is a child delayed if he has fewer English words than other kids of his age? | Vocabulary is shared across languages. Total functional vocabulary is considered a clinical standard. | Count every word your child uses across all three languages. |
Growing Up Multilingual environment in Dubai
In Dubai, multilingual households are pretty common. A toddler might hear Arabic and Dutch at home, interact in Tagalog or Swahili with their nanny, and attend an English speaking nursery in areas like Jumeirah, Downtown, or Dubai Marina. Navigating through multiple languages in such a vibrant environment is common, and community resources in Dubai are well-equipped to support children's needs across diverse language profiles.
Rupali Ranjith
20+ years in the field of Rehabilitation
MASLP, QASP-S, BCaBA
I am Rupali Ranjith, Consultant Speech and Language Therapist, Assistant Behaviour Analyst, Qualified Autism Specialist, as well as Medical Director of Bridges Speech Center, Bridges Care, and Bridges Synergy Pro. I hold a master’s degree in Speech and Hearing and more than 20 years of experience across India and the UAE. I have supported clients of all ages. Along with speech and Language Pathology, I hold BCaBA and QASP-S credentials. I am trained in evidence-based approaches, including PROMPT, DTTC, ReST, AVT, PECS, AVAZ, Gestalt Language Processing, Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy, Oral Placement Therapy, Reflex Integration, Sensory Integration, and the Hanen Program.
If you are really concerned about your child’s communication development, an assessment can help identify their strengths, underlying challenges, and appropriate next steps.
To schedule a speech and language consultation, contact Bridges Speech Center LLC: 04 358 1115 | 050 522 6054
References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA):Bilingual Service Delivery https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/professional-issues/bilingual-service-delivery/
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT):Bilingualism Guidance* (https://www.rcslt.org/members/clinical-guidance/bilingualism/
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):Language Development in Multilingual Children* (https://www.healthychildren.org