My boys have created their own language.When they start I try to step in and talk with them. I constantly label everything for them.They are copying everything I say and understand me.Should I have concerns? I notice at naps/bed they carry on quite a bit.I have no clue with what they're talking about but they understand eachother.Any suggestions/ideas would be great,or am I worrying for nothing?

By Tink on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 02:54 pm:

My understanding is that this is pretty normal but one of our moms with multiples or PamT should be able to give you more advice. {{{Sherri}}} Our dks are always throwing us curveballs, aren't they?

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 03:19 pm:

Curveballs here all the time,Cori LOL.I know I have a bit of time before they're expected to say many words.I just don't know if I should just let them babble so it becomes a habit or should I be doing something about it now.My DD talked very early and I know I cannot compare them to her but I would like to give them the best start.They are just like little sponges right now.

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 03:28 pm:

My kids had their own language, and it did delay their "real" speech *slightly*, but not by much. It's normal for multiples, just let them enjoy their special language!!

By Dandjmom on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 02:09 pm:

I've always believe that babies could understand and communicate with one another. My ds is 2 and he has three cousins that are all one born days apart, he is the oldest , but the girl is the ring leader. Now my son he talks to me , he is currently starting to talk in sentences, Which I am pround of since he will be starting Head Start soon. But back on subject.

But what I'm saying is that he talks to me on a level that I can understand him, He tells on his sister, he tellyou when he has to use the bathroom, even what kind of cereal he wants and more.

But when his cousins are around, he will talk to the older kids clearly, but he will turn right around in teh next breath and say somethign that only they can understand( what my grandmother would call jibberish) and they totally understood him.

So I guess each child delvelopes differently , but wehter or not them babbling will or does cause speech delays I don't know.

And by the way two of my baby cousins are around my son at least 3X's a week, and I have to say and I think that being around him is speeding up there development, they tend to do things that I don't see a lot of other 1yr oldd doing.

But with my daughter being 8 years older then ym son, I think that he has developed so quickly from being around her.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 04:02 pm:

I have 9 year old twins and two older children 16 and 14. And I don't think that it delays speech as long as proper speech is encouraged. Not meaning to discourage them from talking to each other but make sure when they speak to you they are doing it age appropriately. Which shows they have the ability to speak when they need to and that they understand that to get what they want they have to give the proper terms for those things.
Crystals twins are her only children (as I believe are yours). My oldest had delayed speech but her contact with other children was limited. In her case it was simply she knew how and just didn't. Because once she started speaking she spoke in full sentences. She is a listener to this day.. My son on the other hand having an older sister spoke very early. The girls talked to each other but I don't see that it effected anything, they are typical 9 year olds with typical speech and are both testing above average to accelerated in school... So no long term damaging effects. My girls by the way are fraternal..

By Bobbie~moderatr on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 04:04 pm:

LOL I see you have a 7 year old too..

Oh and I wanted to add.. We did have issues with one of the girls trying to talk for the other one all the time.. We did stop that pretty quickly..

By Tripletmom on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 07:15 pm:

Dandjmom-I totally agree,my sons are communicating alot more these days.They seem to have just changed overnight.They seem to have there own language.I notice with the identicals it much stronger and they use a different tone with eachother.

Bobbie-I agree with the proper speech.My DH and I have have never baby talked to our kids.We use funny tones and voices but always the proper word.They do repeat words and we can understand them.I have a fraternal twin sister and I don't recall any problesms,I did really well in school.

My concerns started when we went to visit our friends with triplets(we met them when we found out we were having triplets)Their dk's are 20mths and do not talk at all,they only talk to eachother in there own language.I just wandered if trying to interfere with my boys when they're talking there language, would eventually help speech or delay speech.

By Pamt on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 10:56 pm:

You're worrying for nothing.

Multiples often have "idioglossia" which literally means "unknown tongue." This is their special secret language and it is perfectly normal. However, all normally developing toddlers also have what is called jargon. Jargon is the way kids talk that sounds like real speech with inflection and intonation except that it isn't composed of real words. It is just their way of experimenting with language and trying to figure it all out.

When they do this, just restate what you think they would say if they could speak in sentences. For example, if one points to the refrigerator and says, "Bogawahsudo?" then you say, "Oh you want some juice? Here's your juice."

If they are repeating what you say all day long it sounds like they are doing just fine. From 1-2 years they should have a steady increase in real words and as that happens the jargon and/or idioglossia should decrease. I love when babies are speaking "Chinese"---it's too cute!

By Tripletmom on Saturday, July 1, 2006 - 08:48 am:

Thank-You sooooo much Pam.I just got a little worried b/c our friends triplets only speak there own language and there 20mths and refuse to use real words.I told my DH to label everything and when he asks them a question to wait a little for a response.He likes to answer for them when I know if he waits an extra min or two he will get a response from them.Thanks again Pam.