Bilingual Speech Development in Malta – What Parents Need to Know

Malta is a bilingual country. Most children grow up hearing Maltese and English — at home, at school, on television, and in the community. For many families, a third language such as Italian is also part of daily life. This rich linguistic environment is a tremendous advantage for children, but it also raises questions for parents: “Is my child mixing languages because something is wrong?” or “Is being bilingual slowing down their speech?”

As speech therapists working with families across Malta, we hear these concerns regularly. The good news is that bilingualism does not cause speech or language delays. But understanding how bilingual speech development works can help parents feel more confident — and recognise when genuine support might be needed.

How Bilingual Speech Development Works

Children who are exposed to two languages from birth — known as simultaneous bilinguals — go through the same developmental stages as monolingual children. They babble, produce first words, combine words, and build sentences on a similar timeline. The key difference is that their vocabulary is distributed across two languages.

• Total vocabulary: A bilingual child may know 30 words in Maltese and 25 in English. Their total vocabulary of 55 words is age-appropriate, even if each language individually seems smaller than a monolingual peer
• Code-switching: Using both languages within the same sentence — “Irrid more juice” — is a normal and sophisticated bilingual behaviour, not a sign of confusion
• Dominant language: It is completely normal for one language to be stronger than the other. This often shifts over time, especially when children start school in Malta and their English or Maltese exposure changes

Common Myths About Bilingualism and Speech Delays

Myth: Speaking Two Languages Confuses Children

Children’s brains are remarkably good at separating languages. Even infants can distinguish between the sound patterns of different languages. Code-switching is a sign that the child understands both systems, not that they are confused.

Myth: You Should Drop One Language If There Is a Delay

This is perhaps the most harmful myth. If a child has a genuine speech or language difficulty, it will be present in both languages. Removing one language does not fix the problem — it simply reduces the child’s exposure and can harm their cultural and family connections. At WonderKids, we always encourage families to continue using all their home languages.

Myth: Bilingual Children Always Talk Later

Research does not support this as a blanket statement. While some bilingual children may take slightly longer to produce their first words, they should still be within the normal range for milestone expectations. A significant delay should be assessed, regardless of how many languages are spoken at home.

Bilingual Speech Development in the Maltese Context

Malta’s bilingual environment has specific characteristics that are worth understanding:

• School language shifts: Many children speak primarily Maltese at home but are educated largely in English. This transition, especially at the start of primary school, can temporarily affect fluency and confidence in one or both languages
• Maltese speech sounds: The Maltese language has specific sounds — such as the “q” (glottal stop) and certain consonant clusters — that develop at particular stages. A speech therapist familiar with Maltese phonology can distinguish between a normal developmental pattern and a genuine articulation difficulty
• Mixed-language households: Some families have one parent who speaks Maltese and another who speaks English or another language. This is perfectly fine — consistency within each parent’s language use is helpful, but strict separation is not essential

When to Seek a Speech Therapy Assessment

Bilingualism should not be used as an explanation for significant delays. You should consider a speech therapy assessment if your bilingual child:

• Is not babbling by 12 months in either language
• Has fewer than 50 words total across both languages by age 2
• Is not combining words by age 2 to 2.5 in at least one language
• Is very difficult to understand by age 3, even by familiar listeners
• Seems to struggle with understanding in both languages — not just one
• Shows frustration or withdrawal due to communication difficulties

How We Support Bilingual Children at WonderKids

At WonderKids, our speech therapists understand the bilingual reality of Maltese families. We assess children in the context of all the languages they are exposed to, and we work with parents to build strategies that honour the family’s linguistic environment. We never ask parents to stop speaking their home language — instead, we find ways to support communication development within it.

Concerned About Your Bilingual Child’s Speech?

If you are unsure whether your child’s language development is on track, we are here to help. A speech therapy assessment can give you clarity and peace of mind — and if support is needed, early intervention makes all the difference.

Call us at +356 77048650 or email us at info@wonderkids.mt.

Bilingualism is a gift. Let’s make sure your child has the support to thrive in every language they speak.