Language acquisition doesn’t feel like hard work. Pros of Raising a Bilingual Toddler in a Monolingual Environment: 1. “Oos” is both “shoes” (zapatos) and “luz” (light) right now we listen for context or watch where he points. We find it very entertaining to decipher his babble. I don’t really count this as much of a con.
Figuring out baby words can be quite confusing, since the word could be derived from either language. I think this will become more of a problem once J realizes that we don’t actually use Spanish outside the home that much. So I often retire the second language to the backseat. And with many of our friends, it seems rude to speak Spanish around them since they can’t understand what I’m saying. I’m not sure why, but I try to mostly just use English around that individual. It can be awkward if you have to give commands or encouragements in the second language when others are around.Īs I’ve mentioned previously, I have a family member who resents our speaking Spanish with Little J. ( Inclinate or hazte para adelante, if you’re curious.) 3. I had to text a friend to get the correct word. I never once needed to tell any of them to lean forward. In one of my jobs, I frequently translated for adult students who needed to speak to the director. Something so basic, but it’s a command I’ve never needed before.
Cons of being monolingual how to#
If neither parent is fluent in the desired second language, communication difficulties arise.įor example, while potty training I suddenly realized I didn’t know how to say, “Lean forward,” in Spanish. He may do something called “code-switching.” In Texas, we call that Spanglish, and it’s perfectly acceptable. Rather than actual speech delay, it’s probably more likely that the child may encounter some difficulties as he begins differentiating languages and perhaps wondering which word to use when. Anthea Fraser Gupta, Senior Lecturer in Modern English Language, University of Leeds But all children whose speech is delayed should be assessed by a doctor and (if necessary) a speech-language practitioner, because if the child is deaf, or if there is some reason for the speech delay, it should be dealt with. (With room for the huge variation among individual children.)Īctually, if your child has a language delay (has not said his first word by age 18 months), researchers now think it’s more likely due to issues other than bilingualism in the home.īilingual children vary from one another just as monolingual children do - some will be early and some will be late speakers. He’s probably a bit behind in both language, but his combined vocabulary is equal to a monolingual child’s vocabulary in one language.
Cons of being monolingual full#
He can say a number of words (most with his own unique pronunciation) in both languages, but he’s not one of those children who speaks in full sentences by age two. watching our own son), he seems to be behind some children in speech and ahead of others. This idea is long entrenched, but is now disputed. So what are the pros and cons of trying to raise a bilingual toddler in a monolingual environment?įirst, the difficulties of having an almost-two-year-old who has heard both English and Spanish his whole short life: Cons of Having a Bilingual Toddler in a Monolingual Environment: 1. Our concerns over a year ago have proven to be valid, but so far we are even more encouraged to continue trying to provide a bilingual home for our child.
(For example, I wondered if we would feel too rude to speak Spanish to J when around others who spoke only English.) Now, the baby is a toddler. I also wrote about some of our goals and some of the questions we had. In it, I discussed the research about exposing a child to more than one language from birth. Over a year ago, I wrote this article entitled Our Bilingual Baby: An Experiment. Raising a bilingual toddler: the pros and cons.
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