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Bilingualism is the ability to communicate equally in two languages. Monolingualism
is speaking one language. Simultaneous bilingualism is the introduction
of two languages at the same time. Sequential bilingualism is the introduction
of a second language while the first language is being acquired or after
a first language has been acquired.
At HCMC, services are provided to Spanish speaking children and adults
in their native Spanish language by a clinician who speaks Spanish. For
other languages, services are provided to children and adults in their
native languages through the use of interpreters provided by HCMC.
Interpreters are available for the following languages: Russian, Bosnian,
Vietnamese, Hmong, Laotian, Cambodian, French, Portuguese, Somali, Swahili,
Ethiopian, Arabic, Oromo, Amharic, and American Sign Language. Spanish
interpreters are also available if the Spanish speaking clinician is not.
For all languages not listed, the hospital employs freelance interpreters.
Using two languages will generally not cause speech and language problems.
Children can experience a speech or language deficit in their native language
just like any monolingual speaker. If children are introduced to a second
language and they are experiencing difficulty in their native language,
acquisition of a second language will be more difficult. Bilingualism
is rarely the cause of learning and language difficulties. Language and
learning difficulties can occur when neither language is sufficiently
developed. When learning two languages, children may mix words from both
languages, but this is temporary. Bilingual children may not have as large
a vocabulary as monolingual speakers, but the combined words from the
two vocabulary systems are greater than that of a monolingual speaker
(if a delay or disorder is not present).
Assessments are completed by a clinician that speaks Spanish are treatment
is provided in Spanish. For other languages, interpreters are used. By
treating the delay or disorder in the patient's native language, we are
helping the patient to develop functional and age appropriate communication
skills in their native language before or while a second language is introduced.
We are not teaching the patient English.
If there is a concern about a monolingual or bilingual child's speech
and language development, the family can contact our Speech Pathology
Department and an evaluation will be set up with the Spanish speaking
clinician or an interpreter for other languages. If the child is bilingual,
the speech pathologist will evaluate the child's skills in both languages.
If the child has delays in both languages, it may be characteristic of
the normal process of the bilingual learning and not a true delay. The
evaluation will help to determine that.
It is important to remember that language development varies across children
and is dependent upon experience and exposure to each language. Less confusion
is likely if children can associate the two languages differently (one
language with the mother, one with the father). It is important to use
the native language as much as possible in the home.
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