How much do you translate for your kids?

[physmom]

I've realized lately that I'm translating for DD all the time, even to DH. It started when she was signing and I was the only one who knew all the signs. However, now because she is pretty hard to understand (especially because she is speaking in sentences now). DH normally will just catch the last word or two of the sentence and I'm sure others get even less.

An example was yesterday when I asked what shoes she wanted to wear and she said "I want the pretty shoes". DH got shoes and that was it. He definitely heard the rest but didn't understand it. Many people don't seem to understand anything of her speech (unless she speaks using only one word at a time). I should say that DH has been traveling a lot the last few weeks while she's been having quite a bit of a language explosion so I do think that plays a role in why it is so hard for him to understand her. However, her babysitter has also said the same thing (that she's not getting very much of what DD is saying even though it's clear she's trying to say something specific).

I've been wondering if I'm doing her a disservice by translating for her all the time. Normally I'll repeat the sentences like "oh, so you want your pretty shoes". Then DH or anyone else around would understand what she says. But I'm starting to wonder if that's the reason why she normally only speaks to myself, DH, and her babysitter and not really to anyone else? Also, am I helping her out too much by repeating what she's saying and then she doesn't have to work on the pronunciation as much?

[lovemyryguy]

I'm in the same boat. DS is just over 2, and the more words he picks up, the harder he is to understand. Truck, duck, clock - all sound the same. So, when combined with another word - yikes! I do translate for him, and I do the same thing you do, I repeat what he's said. I do it even when no one else is around. I think its helpful for them to hear us repeat the correct pronunciation. I also feel terrible when DS is trying to say something to someone else, and they have no idea what he wants, or get him the wrong thing. He's trying SO hard. Even before DS used a lot of words and mostly pointed and grunted, I did the same thing, used the correct words for him and now he's getting it. I'm seeing progress, so I feel its the right way to handle it.

[sapphire_chan]

Translating helps the other adult know what your LO is saying so the next time the LO uses the phrase the adult can identify it. It also serves to give your LO another chance to hear the correct pronunciation, at a time when they are highly interested in how those particular words should sound, so will improve how clearly they'll speak.

My dd likes calling people on the phone. Like my mom and her auntie and such. Since she doesn't expect anything but verbal feedback like "really? that's neat!" or "oh, too bad" depending on tone of voice it allows for a lot of babbling.

Oh, and dh has the same problem of only hearing one or two key words. Basically, he's interested in solving dd's problem and is listening for the cue words to tell him what that is, and her speech growth is secondary. Whereas, I'm interested primarily in her speech growth and as a secondary effect I'll act on what she's requesting.

[EzzysMom]

I started off having to do a lot of it, now at 2.5 most strangers understand the majority of what she's saying if she speaks loudly enough. I agree with PP's that you're modeling correct language and helping the other adults learn too, so they'll all get it.

[elmh23]

Well, my 3-year-old has a speech delay. At that age (almost 2), it was pretty severe so I translated everything (some things dh would get, but it was VERY few!) Now that he just has an articulation issue, I translate whenever he or the person he is talking to is starting to get frustrated. He still gets frustrated but it doesn't escalate to him hitting.

I'd keep on doing what you're doing. You're modeling the proper language and as time goes on, everyone will be able to understand her (barring any speech issues, which it doesn't sound like she has.)

[eclipse]

My 5 year old has speech issues, too, and some days his speech is a lot clearer than others. Sometimes even I have a hard time understanding a lot of what he's saying. If he is getting really frustrated and I have a good idea of what he's saying, I will usually translate for him. If he's just talking to another child and the other child doesn't understand but neither are seeming upset about it, I leave it alone. Now that he's turned 5, it's a lot easier when strangers ask how old he is - his word for "four" doesn't really sound a dang thing like "four," but five is very clear . Anyhow, usually if I translate for him, I'll make a limited attempt to get him to try to say it after me, because it helps his pronunciation.

[crunchy_mommy]

Well one time DS started saying 'celery, celery' while I wasn't home and DH kept trying to give him a stick of celery and was confused why DS wasn't interested. Turns out, he wanted STRAWBERRIES, but I had neglected to share this new pronunciation with DH (he used to say "star" for 'strawberry'). So now I try to share with DH the words DS has learned each day (though it's hard to keep up with him lol) and ask DS to say each one for him. Still, DH & I are both always translating for each other -- we'll usually let DS try a few times to communicate it, then we'll translate. With people other than myself/DH though, we almost always translate right away.

[NYMommy2007]

I agree with the others who said it's a good way to model the correct pronunciation of words. I do it w/DD even if we are just talking to each other so that she can hear how to correctly pronounce every word. If she says something like "I want to be a hippopomomous for halloween" I say back "Oh, you want to be a hippoPOTAMUS? That sounds fun."

[Tjej]

I have a tendancy to translate, but as my kids have aged I try to just hang back and let them try again/assert themselves if there is a misunderstanding. Of course I don't let things get crazy or anything, but I find that if I leave more room for them to repeat themselves or whatever they often get their point across (or decide it is important enough to look for me for help). My youngest is 2 1/2 now.

Tjej

[mckittre]

All the time. My 20 month old's language is way ahead of his articulation - he'll speak in 6-7 word sentences and try to use pretty much any word he's ever heard, but much of it is pretty unclear. I repeat back to him what he's said, just so I can try to figure it out (It sometimes takes me a few tries for a long sentence, particularly if he's talking about something not visible). And I translate for his dad and grandma as well sometimes, since I seem to understand a bit more than they do. He's too shy to really speak to strangers much, but when he does, I translate there as well.

[MamaPhD]

I second that you should repeat the correct pronunciation/conjugation/usage with your toddler to model proper language usage for your child's benefit. If others benefit from it as well, then hey, that's bonus. I've seen several exchanges between DD and DH or gym babysitter that made me laugh because I could see that they totally misunderstood her, but they were still having a nice time chatting!

For us it's a little more of contextual issue. DD speaks well and enunciates pretty well, too. But she will say things that can seem out of context if you don't know her world. If she sees something that's upside down, she will say "upside down! like elmo! and like doggy" If you haven't read Elmo's alphabet book where Elmo hangs upside down with bats & if you haven't gone to modern art museum and saw the upside down doggy sculture (like DH), then it sounds like DD is talking nonsense. I, on the other hand, feel so proud she remembers so much from our readings and outings!

[crunchy_mommy]

Originally Posted by MamaPhD

But she will say things that can seem out of context if you don't know her world. If she sees something that's upside down, she will say "upside down! like elmo! and like doggy" If you haven't read Elmo's alphabet book where Elmo hangs upside down with bats & if you haven't gone to modern art museum and saw the upside down doggy sculture (like DH), then it sounds like DD is talking nonsense. I, on the other hand, feel so proud she remembers so much from our readings and outings!

Yes! DS will say something like, "Eeeeeeeee! POOP! POOP! Run run run in the rain!!" when he sees an elephant (he can't say elephant well so he says eeeeeee) -- this is all about a trip we took to the zoo where we saw an elephant poop and then since it was raining we had to run to try to stay dry. This day was also one of the best days I've ever had with DS so it makes me so happy to hear him reminiscing about it!! (And if you've never taken your kid to the zoo in the pouring rain, you should!!!!) I don't know why but I'm always surprised when he remembers things from many months ago!

[ellemenope]

The faster they talk, and the wider their vocabulary becomes, the harder they are to understand by other people. Especially if the kid is a bit verbally advanced for their age. People just don't expect the stuff that can come out of such a little voice. They can be clear as a bell, but if someone doesn't have their toddler ears on it just sounds like gibberish. And, yes, toddlers are notorious for talking out of context.

It can be frustrating when DD tries to communicate with grandparents (inlaws) and they brush her off saying, "I know you know what you are talking about, but I can't understand a thing, ha ha ha." But, they are clearly not trying to listen. And, I really hate it when they practically scold DD for being so verbose, asking her to slow down and repeat and repeat.

I always end up translating. "She just said, 'I thought I had to ask you for more cat cookies but discovered some already on the coffe table.' You really got nothing out of that?"

[physmom]

Thanks everyone! It's good to hear that I'm not the only one.

Oh, and DD also can make those off-the-wall comments. She stills keeps talking about a baby crying on a airplane trip that we took a few months ago. It seemed to have a big impact on her!