How Kids with Multi-Lingual Parents Learn to Distinguish and Speak Both Languages
Understanding how children with multi-lingual parents learn and differentiate between both languages is a fascinating topic that delves into the remarkable capabilities of the human brain. This article explores how children of such families transition between languages, recognize their parents' linguistic cues, and develop their spoken skills. By sharing anecdotes and insights from various families, this piece aims to provide a clear picture of this complex process.
The Human Brain: A Relational Learning Machine
Children as young as 9 months old can recognize the differences in spoken languages, even if they haven't spoken any language themselves yet. For instance, observe a 9-month-old baby named Claude who is only exposed to English when her grandfather, a native French speaker, speaks with a French accent. One day, Claude's grandfather switches to speaking French with a friend, and Claude tilts her head and stares, clearly aware that something has changed in the conversation. This dawning awareness of language differences suggests that infants have a natural ability to recognize and distinguish between languages from a very early age.
The Impact of Parental Language Use on Children
The linguistic environment in a family is crucial in the language development of children. In a dual-language household, one parent may exclusively use one language, and the other parent may use the other. Zhang Wei, a 4-year-old I knew, had a Japanese mother and an American father. He not only spoke both languages but could identify which words to use with each parent. This example demonstrates the effectiveness of clear language boundaries set by parents.
A structured approach to language use in the home, such as assigning specific days or times to a language, can also be beneficial. The “Language Every Other Day” (LEOD) method, where each parent sticks strictly to their assigned language, is an effective way to reinforce language learning. Another unique approach could be assigning a different language every week or even every day, as illustrated in the anecdote of the family that had a themed language day: Sanskrit Sunday, Moldovan Monday, Tagalog Tuesday, Welsh Wednesday, Thai Thursday, and French Fry Friday. This playful and consistent system can help kids remember which language belongs to which parent.
Differentiation Through Pronunciation and Intonation
Children begin to recognize the subtle differences between languages through pronunciation and intonation. In the early stages, they may not be able to articulate words in both languages correctly, but they can differentiate based on the sounds and tone patterns. For instance, a child might say, 'Ich esse meinen Morgenbrot am Tisch im Küchenn' (which is incorrect but recognizable as different from 'I eat my breakfast at the table in the kitchen') as they learn to differentiate between the German and English pronunciations. The child’s brain is adept at piecing together these auditory clues to recognize the language of each parent.
The Role of the Adult in Language Learning
Children are adept at picking up on the cues from the adults around them. They may become confused if the wrong adult speaks the wrong language. For example, my grandchildren who must speak Mandarin with their maternal grandmother will only communicate in their native language with their mother, despite understanding what is being said. Their final accent is often influenced by their peers, particularly if they are in a bilingual classroom. In America, children whose parents only speak Spanish might adopt the local accent in spoken English. However, in areas where everyone is bilingual, children tend to have a more neutral accent.
Case Study: Multilingual Children in Bilingual Areas
The story of a family that moved between four countries provides another layer of insight. The mother was born in Russia, and the father in Ireland. Their children, beautiful and smart, spoke four languages effortlessly. However, they faced challenges and were sometimes ostracized for their uniqueness in their school. This scenario highlights the importance of cultural acceptance and support in fostering a positive environment for multilingual children.
Conclusion
The ability of children with multi-lingual parents to learn and distinguish between languages is a testament to the flexibility and resilience of the human brain. By understanding and applying effective language learning strategies, such as clear parental language use and consistent daily practices, we can support the linguistic development of these children. As more families adopt multilingual environments, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate the assets that come with bilingualism and multilingualism.
Keywords: child bilingualism, language acquisition, multi-lingual families