Do you explain to strangers that your DS/DD is bilingual

[AussieSim]

My DS is 19mths and mostly speaks in single words. Most of his words are german with the newer ones being english and we are here in Oz. I find myself feeling a bit self-concious when he points at a car and says very enthusiastically Auto or he points at peoples coffee cups and says heiss. I find myself telling strangers that he is speaking german and then translating. Some people are politely interested and obviously there are those that could not give a hoot. Should I stop it?

I think it is amazing that child pick up on two languages. Never actually knowing any,I have always wondered how the know which one is one which. Have you just answered my question? Do they combine a mixture within their sentences?

Although I really do understand about worrying what others think,you don't need to justify the fact to strangers (even if most are probably like me,intigued.)

My DS is too young yet to realise what is going on. His Dad speaks German with him and I speak mostly english. We have friends here in the same boat and their kids have managed it just fine so far. Our new carer has asked me to give her a list of DSs words so she knows what he is saying, although I have stressed that she doesnt need to use german words with him.

I do tend to explain. DS2 is 20 months and says 'tak' (Danish for thanks) rather than 'Ta'. People have tried to correct him, so I tend to explain otherwise he is going to be even more confused than he is now!

Good to know I am not the only one Libra. I do not know what people think DS is on about - espeically when he is trying to get my car keys off me schlussel.

My dd is not bilingual - I only wish one of us spoke something other than English!! It's such a bonus to learn another language at that stage when they do it effortlessly.

I had a friend many years ago who was bringing up her son bilingually German-English and who told me a story about him playing with an excavator-truck toy in a sandpit and saying enthusiastically "Bagger, bagger" which is German for digger. She was mortified as all the English mums thought he was saying "Bugger"!!

So I guess sometimes an explanation comes in handy!

DD is bilingual, and I only explain when it is likely to cause embarassement/problems/misunderstandings...or if I notice the person is particulalry interested. Most of the times they suss it out anyway. I

DD1 didn't really start to speak English until she was about three. She is very tall and most people thought she was about 6, and therefore simple. I did find myself saying very defensively if anyone commented "English is not her first language!" Sadly, since she has been in an English speaking environment she has forgotten most of her first language, but the odd, rather bizarre word does slip in: "basina porcului", which literally translated means "pig's fart", but is a word for a dandelion came up the other day!! The things they remember!

well, I had to explain a few things at the nursery. My daughter (20 months) speaks mainly Italian and when she is hungry she asks for 'boto', which stands for 'biscotto' - biscuit. At the nursery they thought she was saying 'bottle' and that she wanted to drink...
Some explanation is sometimes necessary I think, but not too much - if on occasion people stares or wander what's going on is not a big deal