Bilingual Children: Frequent Questions

Is it ok to speak to my child in two languages?

While many people believe that speaking in two languages might confuse children, it actually has positive effects as well.

Some parents fluent in two languages might be expected to use only one of them, but it is common for such parents to use both languages with their children.

This does not happen randomly; they typically use different languages for different purposes in process called code-switching.

Code-switching is a natural process in bilingual individuals and is not a problem. It is more valuable when the child learns and uses code-switching. Furthermore, explaining something in both languages can enhance its meaning.

Should we change the language spoken at home to help our children in the new country?

Moving to another country usually poses a lot of stress for children. There is so much to handle during the settling down period.

Children must deal with a different language at school, and it is not advisable for them to experience such a change at home as well. Children typically pick up the new language easily when they are outside the home.

When a family uses a specific language to communicate, it provides something solid for the children, which is difficult to change. Additionally, continuing to use the heritage language at home offers a great opportunity for children to preserve their language.

Does the second language develop at the expense of the first language?

No, learning a second language does not necessarily develop at the expense of the first language

This assumption is associated with the idea that bilingualism can raise issues like mental confusion, issues in terms of majority language acquisition, identity issues and probably sense of alienation.

It is also commonly believed that as proficiency in one language increases, proficiency in the other language decreases. It seems like our brain has a certain capacity to store language and if it stores more from one language the other diminishes because there is not enough room.

The real evidence is that language attributes are not separated but they can transfer easily from one language to another. In fact, one language interacts with the other.