Does Bilingualism Cause Speech Delay? 5 Myths and 5 Facts
The questions parents of Turkish–English children ask most: delay, language mixing and the home language. With a myth-or-fact quiz.
Quick answer: No, learning two languages does not on its own cause speech delay. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA) parent resource states that using more than one language does not confuse children or cause speech or language delays. Bilingual children may mix languages at times; this is a normal part of learning. When you look at vocabulary, count words in both languages together, and talk to a speech and language therapist if you are worried.
2026-10-16 · Stayeng parent guide
Key points
- Learning two languages is not, on its own, a cause of speech delay.
- Mixing languages is normal and fades as the child grows stronger in both.
- You do not need to drop your home language; speak the language you are most comfortable in.
- Look at vocabulary across both languages, not in one.
- If you suspect a real delay, being bilingual is not a reason to wait; talk to a specialist.
Put this guide into practice
- I noted the words my child uses in both languages for a week.
- I set a natural time or activity for each language at home.
- When my child mixed languages, I repeated the correct form naturally instead of correcting.
- If I have a concern, I plan to see a specialist with my notes from both languages.
Myth or fact?
Read four statements and decide whether each is a myth or a fact. The explanation appears straight away.
“Children who learn two languages start talking later.”
- Fact
- Myth
Answer and explanation
Myth: According to ASHA’s parent resource, using more than one language does not cause speech or language delays.
“If a child mixes two languages in a sentence, they are confused.”
- Fact
- Myth
Answer and explanation
Myth: Mixing languages is an expected part of bilingual development; the child is drawing on both languages at once.
“To succeed in English at school, we should stop speaking Turkish at home.”
- Fact
- Myth
Answer and explanation
Myth: Parents are encouraged to speak the language they are most comfortable in. A rich home language is the foundation of language development.
“When measuring vocabulary, words in both languages should be considered together.”
- Fact
- Myth
Answer and explanation
Fact: Measuring only one language can underestimate what a bilingual child knows; looking at both gives a more accurate picture.
Does bilingualism delay speech?
The short answer is no. ASHA’s resource for families states clearly that using more than one language does not confuse children or cause speech or language delays.
Confusion often comes from how we measure. A bilingual child may know some words only in Turkish and others only in English. If you count one language, the child can look behind; a 2023 study stresses that single-language measurement can underestimate what bilingual children know.
Five common myths and the facts
Five beliefs parents hear most often, and what the sources say:
- Myth: two languages confuse children. Fact: children learn to tell their languages apart; mixing is part of that learning.
- Myth: one language must settle before a second starts. Fact: two languages can be learned at the same time or one after the other.
- Myth: dropping the home language speeds up English. Fact: rich talk in the parent’s most comfortable language is the foundation of language development.
- Myth: a child who is quiet in a new language is not learning. Fact: there can be a period of listening and understanding before speaking.
- Myth: a bilingual child’s vocabulary should be counted in one language. Fact: considering both languages together gives a truer picture.
Is mixing Turkish and English a problem?
Sentences like “I want su.” are common in bilingual children. ASHA’s parent resource says not to worry about mixing languages because it is an expected part of learning.
The best response is to repeat the correct form naturally rather than correct it: if your child says “I want su.”, answer “You want water? Here’s your water.”
Mixing languages is not a gap; it is the skill of using words from both languages together.
How can you support two languages at home?
The aim is not to make the languages compete but to give each a natural place.
- Create natural moments for each language: for example, Turkish at dinner and English at playtime.
- Read together: talking about the same story in both languages links the words.
- Speak the language you are most comfortable in with your child; do not set artificial rules.
- Keep a word list in both languages and look at progress as a total.
When should you see a specialist?
Being bilingual is not a reason to wait if there is a real language difficulty. If your child seems clearly behind peers in both languages, struggles to understand you, or loses skills they had, talk to a speech and language therapist.
Before the appointment, note the words and sentences your child uses in both languages. Looking at both gives a more accurate picture. Being bilingual is not, on its own, a reason to switch to one language; make any such decision together with the specialist.
Important: this article is not a substitute for a clinical assessment. If you are concerned, talk to your paediatrician or a speech and language therapist.
For children growing up abroad
Families living abroad often face the opposite: the school language takes over and Turkish fades into the background. At Stayeng we think of a child’s two languages as a whole, in English lessons and in heritage Turkish lessons.
For practical ideas on keeping Turkish alive abroad, see our guide “How Children Abroad Can Maintain Their Turkish”.
Want to bring this practice into a one-to-one lesson?
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Frequently asked questions
When do bilingual children start talking?
Bilingual children usually say their first words within a similar age range to children who learn one language. Count words in both languages together rather than separately, and talk to a specialist if you are worried.
My child mixes Turkish and English. Is that a problem?
No. Mixing languages within a sentence is an expected part of bilingual development and fades as the child grows stronger in both. Simply repeat the correct form naturally.
Which language should we speak at home?
The one you are most comfortable in. ASHA’s parent resource encourages you to talk to your child in the language or languages you are most comfortable using. A rich, natural home language supports your child’s language development.
Should we stop English lessons if there is a speech delay?
Do not decide on your own; talk to a speech and language therapist. Being bilingual is not, on its own, a reason to drop a language, and a specialist can give advice for your child.