Learning more than one language does not cause speech or language delay. If you are concerned about a bilingual child’s communication, seek guidance that considers all their languages. Do not assume that bilingualism explains a difficulty, and do not feel you must remove a family language before asking for help.
The CHSA multilingual guide linked by ASHA explains that mixing languages can be expected and encourages families to use languages they feel comfortable speaking. Language use can differ with setting and exposure.
Write down the whole conversation, not just the English words
Imagine a child who asks a grandparent for water in one language and uses an English word for a toy at preschool. A note that lists only English would leave out part of that child’s experience. Record examples in the original language when you can, with a short explanation of what the child meant.
A family note could include: who was present, which language they used, the child’s message, and how the adult responded. You do not need to build a spreadsheet or judge whether a mixed sentence is correct. The purpose is to help a professional understand everyday communication.
Questions for a speech-language professional
- How will the evaluation consider every language my child uses?
- Would an interpreter or another language professional be helpful?
- Which observations should relatives and teachers share?
- How can we practice goals within our existing family routines?
Describe your actual concern: difficulty getting a message across, limited participation in familiar routines, or something else you have noticed. Avoid reducing the question to “Which language should we stop?”
A familiar book can make room for both languages
As an optional play idea, choose a wordless picture book. One adult might describe an animal in their comfortable language; another adult might use a different language at another reading. Follow the picture your child chooses. The aim of this example is a shared conversation, not a translation test.
At snack time, you could use the familiar name for a cup or fruit and respond to the child’s choice. There is no need to ask for the same request again in English before helping.
Where an English-language app fits
TalkDelay currently provides English-language prompts. It does not measure a child’s abilities across languages or provide a multilingual clinical assessment. A parent can model a familiar home-language phrase during shared play, but the app should not be treated as an authority on the child’s full language development.
Start with the speech-delay overview for broader questions, or see six home play ideas. If you choose a TalkDelay session, keep it one small part of the child’s wider conversations with family and community.