Bilingual Speech Delays: What Parents Should Know

Written and reviewed by Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP. Last reviewed January 26, 2026.

You are raising your child with two languages, and lately a small worry has crept in. Maybe a grandparent asked why your toddler isn’t talking as much as their cousin, or your child answers you in one language but reaches for words in another, and you’ve quietly wondered whether two languages is holding your child’s speech back. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

Here is the short answer: no, raising your child with two languages does not cause a speech or language delay. Bilingual children learn to talk on the same general timeline as children who hear one language.

Take a breath. Your child’s brain is fully capable of learning two languages at once, and the way they mix and move between them is a normal part of growing up bilingual.

Does being bilingual cause a speech delay?

No. Learning two languages does not cause a speech or language delay, and it will not confuse your child.

This worry is common, often passed along by well-meaning family, but the research is reassuring. The American Academy of Pediatrics, writing with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, states plainly that speech and language problems are not caused by learning multiple languages, and that children all over the world learn two or more languages without any difficulty (HealthyChildren.org). Early milestones like cooing, smiling, and babbling look the same in every language.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association puts it just as simply: learning to speak another language is not a language problem (ASHA). Two languages is not too much for your child.

What’s normal in bilingual language development?

Normal bilingual development includes mixing both languages in one sentence and a quiet period in a new language, both of which can look like delays.

Your child will probably mix both languages in the same sentence. This is called code-mixing, and it does not mean your child is confused; usually by around age 3, children learn to separate their languages and choose the right one for each person. Their vocabulary is also often spread across both languages, so counting words in only one can be misleading. A child learning only English might have 50 words by age 2, while a child learning English and Spanish might have about 25 in each, the same total. Added together, bilingual children know just as many words as anyone else, so it helps to look at both languages, not one alone. Some children also go through a quieter stretch when a new language enters the picture, listening far more than they speak for a while, and that too can be normal.

How do I know if my child has a real delay?

Here is the key difference: a true speech or language delay shows up in both of your child’s languages, not just one.

If your child is doing well in the language they hear most but is simply quieter in the newer one, that’s usually typical bilingual learning, not a disorder. As the American Academy of Pediatrics explains, if a child has a speech or language problem, it will show up in all the languages that child uses (HealthyChildren.org). That’s the clearest way to tell a bilingual learner apart from a child who could use extra support.

The general milestones help too. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, most children have one or two words by their first birthday and put two words together between ages 1 and 2 (NIDCD), just count across both languages. If your child seems behind in both, it’s always okay to ask. You can read more in our guide to speech milestones by age and about telling a slower start from a delay in late talker or speech delay: when to act.

What can I do at home?

The single best thing you can do is speak the language you know best, richly and often.

You don’t need to switch to English or be fluent in a second language. Both ASHA and the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage parents to use the language they are most comfortable with, because a warm, natural flow of words matters far more than which language it’s in (HealthyChildren.org). From there, it’s about quantity and quality: narrate your day out loud, read books in your heritage language, sing songs, and tell family stories. Follow your child’s lead, and when they point or make a sound, respond with words and give them a beat to answer back. For more, see our post on early signs of communication delays parents often miss.

How does speech therapy help?

Speech therapy helps by assessing your whole child in both languages, rather than treating one as the real one.

A good evaluation ideally looks at both languages, not just English, because sounds and words don’t develop in parallel across two languages, so testing only one can give a false picture. An SLP will talk with you about your child’s history, listen to how they communicate in each language, and gather a speech sample in both when possible, working with a trained interpreter if no SLP speaks your language. The goal is to tell a typical bilingual learner apart from a child who would benefit from support.

If therapy is the right next step, it can happen in the language your child knows best, and you can keep using your home languages with confidence. Learn more on our in-home speech therapy page. Bilingualism is never something to “fix,” it’s a strength.

What is the next step?

The next step is a free 15-minute consultation, whether you have questions or would simply like reassurance. Call (805) 702-3427 or schedule a free 15-minute consultation. We offer in-home and virtual visits across our service area, and we work with children from birth to 18.

Common questions about bilingual language development

Will speaking two languages make my child start talking later?

No. Bilingual children reach early milestones on the same general timeline, and counted across both languages they know just as many words as their peers.

My child mixes both languages in one sentence. Is that a problem?

No, mixing languages in one sentence is not a problem. Code-mixing is normal and does not mean your child is confused. Most children learn to separate their languages by around age 3.

Should we drop our home language and switch to English?

No. Your home language is a strength, not an obstacle. Keep using the language you know best, richly and often, it supports your child’s communication and family bonds.

Can a bilingual child still get speech therapy if we need it?

Yes. An SLP can evaluate and support a bilingual child, ideally looking at both languages and working in your child’s stronger one, with an interpreter if needed. Being bilingual is never a barrier.

Therapy Clubhouse offers in-home speech and occupational therapy throughout our home-visit area, and telehealth anywhere in California; our Westlake Village clinic opens December 1, 2026.

Ready to take the next step? Call (805) 702-3427 or schedule a free 15-minute consultation with a licensed pediatric therapist.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for an individualized evaluation. Every child is different. If you have concerns about your child’s speech, language, or development, please consult a qualified professional.