Bilingualism: mixing langs

[Purplelemon7]

Hi
I’m trying to teach my child (who has a speech delay) a minority language but really struggling as English is my dominant language and my child clearly knows more English words (nursery, tv etc). He seems to understand a fair bit of what I say in the minority language but I’m worried I’m confusing him because I can’t speak it 100%. Should I continue even though I can’t seem to stick purely to speaking in the minority language or is it ok to continue like this? Would love to hear from anyone who has experience of this.

Continue ! (although it takes a lot of effort on your part. ) Expect a reluctance from the child to speak the minority language in this country. Even if you're not completely fluent anything you can teach them will be a huge benefit. I applaud you

My child speaks a language that I’m not completely fluent in! I started them off as a baby and they continued it in school. I only speak it up to a level but I have a near perfect accent according to friends who are native. Any language acquisition is great for little brains.

Being bilingual is great for children's development, you're doing a great thing for him!

From what I have seen it take two parents, each speaking their own language to the child for them to become completely fluent in both. then it just feels like a natural process. I admire you for wanting to teach him the minority lang - it wasn't clear from your op but is this your native language? (If not I don't really see the point). I think best to try and talk to him uniquely in that language of possible, but only if it's your native tongue.

Are you a native speaker of the other language OP?

No, I’m not a native speaker, I’m a child of immigrants but I can actually speak my heritage language to a good level. I just struggle with not falling into English at times and I think that’s because English is the language I think in and my child also uses English words.

It’s a positive sign that he understands what you’re saying. He must the absorbing some off it.

Continue continue continue! Make an extra effort to buy books in that other language and any exposure you can at all.

I have 4 bilingual DC and teach some children who are trilingual (whilst learning a 4th), it's such a wonderful thing! Your DC will benefit immensely

Speech and language therapist specialism in multilingual children. You are doing great continue. It is likely English maybe their stronger language but that's fine they can develop a home language too. Don't worry about the language delay even our most complex needs children can learn more than one language. They are developing normally if comprehension is building first. The one parent one language is out dated and not evidence based so don't worry about that

Your child may not develop native like fluency in your heritage language but that doesn’t mean it’s worthless giving him some exposure to it! I’m guessing he may also hear the heritage language when visiting grandparents, at family events or possibly when visiting your family’s country of origin? Some knowledge of the language will likely help him feel connected to your family history. You can test his perceptive knowledge by asking him to do things using the heritage language and seeing how he reacts (eg. Go and get your shoes, say hello to grandma, where is your teddy? Did you leave him downstairs?)

Absolutely continue!!
I've studied mixing languages in immigrant populations for my masters degree and code switching (the missing of languages) is totally normal and a stage which all language learning goes through. Even beyond the point of necessary. My kids and I will say things in our second language to each other when it is quicker to say in that language for instance . Young children associate and box languages into people. I know of 7 year olds who speak 4 languages fluently due to this.

What you're doing is an important thing. Not only giving them the gift of language, but also connecting them to their heritage in a way that wouldn't be possible otherwise.

Do continue. DD is bi-lingual with two German parents. It took ages for her to actively speak it and often it means being in Germany as she then has to do it.

We also use a lot of German books, DVDs and story tapes, passiv understanding is great for her.

She is now nearly 15 and does a German GCSE as an extra one. English will always be her first and strongest language but having a second one is a huge advantage for them.

We speak English together if it is a really complex topic, medical issues or it is about school, especially Maths as it means we don't confuse her.

Continue using just that language with him, and try and get as much further input (books, tv etc) in it as you can.

I'm in a similar situation but my dd is surrounded by the minority language at nursery. It's annoying how much English she's picked up from TV, bt clearly understands both languages.

yes, continue.
try to add tb programmes/audio books or radio in the minority language. read books to them.

dc might not start to speak (yet) but will be able to understand.

Keep going with it. Our dc are far from fluent in their fathers language but they are able to get by when we visit his country. If they choose to live there then they would become fluent really quickly.

Also their gcse teacher at school said she can always tell when a child has another language at home because it helps them understand a third language.

FWIW mine use duolingo and watch tv prog in their second language as well as speaking to their dad.

@AnuSTart that’s really reassuring to hear from someone who has studied this. I was worried that they won’t associate the minority language with anyone because we aren’t sticking purely to it and might get confused.

i definitely see the value in it even if all I can do is give them some understanding of the language. I guess my worry is that I might be confusing then due to the mixing.