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Kids in a #multilingual #family: a thread
I know that #speech #development of kids exposed to several #Languages can be a concern for #parents, and hence wanted to share our experience w/ kid1 (3.5yo).
Keen to hear yours.
cc @meits_owri @sabinelittle
1/n
I know that #speech #development of kids exposed to several #Languages can be a concern for #parents, and hence wanted to share our experience w/ kid1 (3.5yo).
Keen to hear yours.
cc @meits_owri @sabinelittle
1/n
2/n
Background: we use 4 languages
mum --> kids : #catalan
mum --> dad : #spanish
dad --> kids+mum: #italian
environment --> kids : #english
We try to stick to this setup, but never asked our daughter to reply in any specific language. As a result
kid1 --> everyone : #english
Background: we use 4 languages
mum --> kids : #catalan
mum --> dad : #spanish
dad --> kids+mum: #italian
environment --> kids : #english
We try to stick to this setup, but never asked our daughter to reply in any specific language. As a result
kid1 --> everyone : #english
3/n
Daughter of course understand them all, and naturally translates any to English without even noticing ("chiama la mamma per cena" becomes "come, mummy, dinner is ready" in the blink of an eye).
She has a south English accent, uses a wide vocabulary, and started correcting us
Daughter of course understand them all, and naturally translates any to English without even noticing ("chiama la mamma per cena" becomes "come, mummy, dinner is ready" in the blink of an eye).
She has a south English accent, uses a wide vocabulary, and started correcting us
4/n
Earlier this year, we noticed that kid1 was trying to use individual word in other languages when chatting with the grandparents, and occasionally with us as well. She would do it intentionally, and revert to the English equivalent if not understood.
Earlier this year, we noticed that kid1 was trying to use individual word in other languages when chatting with the grandparents, and occasionally with us as well. She would do it intentionally, and revert to the English equivalent if not understood.
5/n
This was met with enthusiasm by us, but it never became an expectation: we let her decide what to say, when and to whom.
Earlier this month, we went to Italy to spend 15-odd days with my parents. After a couple of days, a big change happened in kid1's speech.
This was met with enthusiasm by us, but it never became an expectation: we let her decide what to say, when and to whom.
Earlier this month, we went to Italy to spend 15-odd days with my parents. After a couple of days, a big change happened in kid1's speech.
6/n
Out of the blue, and completely unsolicited (my parents understand English and kid1 knows she can interact with them in that language), daughter started constructing *full sentences* in Italian, but *only* with grandparents.
With us, she would revert to English.
Out of the blue, and completely unsolicited (my parents understand English and kid1 knows she can interact with them in that language), daughter started constructing *full sentences* in Italian, but *only* with grandparents.
With us, she would revert to English.
7/n
With kid2 (10 mo) she always interacted in English, but in the last couple of weeks Catalan (mum's language) would also be occasionally used (even though she was surrounded by Italian).
With kid2 (10 mo) she always interacted in English, but in the last couple of weeks Catalan (mum's language) would also be occasionally used (even though she was surrounded by Italian).
8/n
In these days, kid1 displayed an impressive control of the Italian language, a very decent and elaborate vocabulary, and only a scent of the sweetest British accent.
She figured out when, and to whom, she had to speak in one language or another, without any external pressure.
In these days, kid1 displayed an impressive control of the Italian language, a very decent and elaborate vocabulary, and only a scent of the sweetest British accent.
She figured out when, and to whom, she had to speak in one language or another, without any external pressure.
9/n
My interpretation as parent (not a specialist!) is that it took this long for kid1 to develop her confidence with multiple languages, and then a backlog of knowledge spontaneously came out.
I'm looking forward to what will happen in the coming months!
My interpretation as parent (not a specialist!) is that it took this long for kid1 to develop her confidence with multiple languages, and then a backlog of knowledge spontaneously came out.
I'm looking forward to what will happen in the coming months!
10/10
Our story won't be news to many.
However, I suspect there are parents out there pondering what languages to use, and how - I hope I've provided anecdotal evidence that *there is no problem* with multilingual families: give support & freedom to the kids, they'll sort it out!
Our story won't be news to many.
However, I suspect there are parents out there pondering what languages to use, and how - I hope I've provided anecdotal evidence that *there is no problem* with multilingual families: give support & freedom to the kids, they'll sort it out!
When you want to share something, but the only quiet time available is at night and hence your tweet as reach close to zero...
