Comments on: Ask an Expert: What to do if my child mixes languages?

By: heidi

heidi — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:48:49 +0000

Hello, Thank you so much for your resources on raising a trilingual child. I have a few specific questions and concerns that are not covered related to language mixing and wonder what your thoughts are. My situation is this: I am a non-native Spanish speaker and I speak to my daughter exclusively in Spanish when we are alone (I am a stay at home mom) and I switch bewteen english and Spanish when my daughter and husband and I are together (my husband and I speak English to eachother) and when I am spending time with friends I try to continue to use spanish with her as well. But because I am speaking to my friends in English I tend to go back and forth with my daughter bewteen spanish and english. If I only speak spanish to her at home (I think this is what you suggest) is it enough and what if english speaking friends come to our home? I know consistency is key but it sometimes seems unnatural to speak spanish to her when everyone else is speaking english and no one else understands us. My husband speaks Polish to her and uses english and polish both when we are around english speakers and eachother. She is 2.5 and is speaking up to 5 word sentences that are a mix of all 3 languages and is only understood by my husband and myself. I know that mixing languages is a normal phase for bi and trilingials but I know this is a major crossroads for all of us and I want to be sure we are doing this right and that we get to the next ‘phase’ with the most success and ease as is possible. She barely speaks when she is around other children and I’m afraid she knows that they won’t understand her and I’m concerned that she is not trying to communicate. I don’t want other children to think she’s different or for it to affect her self esteem. She has a consistent caregiver 1 day a week in english and I’m considering a native spanish speaking babysitter. I have not been able to find anyone else raising their children speaking spanish. Also, we will soon be in Poland for a month and wonder if I should continue with my spanish there or if the polish immersion, spanish and english wil be overwhelming to her. Thank you for any advice you can share.

By: Help! My Child is Mixing Languages! |

Help! My Child is Mixing Languages! | — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 19:09:42 +0000

[...] article from the Spanglish Baby Blog, has some great tips for managing this situation at home as well as [...]

By: 5 Ways to Respond When Your Child Mixes Languages « SpanglishBaby

5 Ways to Respond When Your Child Mixes Languages « SpanglishBaby — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 16:20:25 +0000

[...] For more on the topic of language mixing, I recommend you also read Dr. Simona Montanari’s Ask an Expert entry titled: What to do if My Child Mixes Languages. [...]

By: 4 Ways to Create a Perceived Need for the Minority Language « SpanglishBaby

4 Ways to Create a Perceived Need for the Minority Language « SpanglishBaby — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:09:37 +0000

[...] ago. The evidence is in the questions we continue to get for our Ask an Expert series, including this week’s question, the comments in the forums and just the stuff we hear whenever the subject of raising bilingual [...]

By: How to Create a ‘Perceived Need’ for the Minority Language

How to Create a ‘Perceived Need’ for the Minority Language — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:03:12 +0000

By: Fatima Sfiligoi

Fatima Sfiligoi — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:47:48 +0000

I agree with Ana Gloria. I have also been using those strategies (without realizing that I was actually following a strategy!) with my kids (also 4 and 2,5 years old) and they only speak Spanish to me. I would like to say that consistency must play a big role. I work full time so I spend evenings and weekends with them and still they only speak Spanish to me. My husband is a stay at home dad and he only speaks English to them.

By: Carla

Carla — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:21:32 +0000

I love your suggestions especially what to say when they use English (I say x, your grandma says y). It's a great way to show them neither way is right or wrong but just to associate the language to who they are speaking with. I'll definitely be using this technique! .-= Carla´s last blog ..Breathe, Be, Savor =-.

By: AnaGloria Rodriguez

AnaGloria Rodriguez — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:16:27 +0000

Great question and response! I have used all of those strategies and my children (4 and 2 y.o.) only speak Spanish to me. They do mix the languages sometimes, especially the younger one, because, like Dr. Simona said, they don’t know every word in both languages.

By: Boca Beth

Boca Beth — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:48:20 +0000

What comprehensive and supportive suggestions Simona! You inspired ME to begin the Spanish only times in our home again! Gracias / Thank you .-= Boca Beth´s last blog ..Music Monday Marches in Hispanic Heritage Month One Day Early =-.