Twin Language

Twin language or idioglossia has been studied by researchers and interested people in general for years.

You may have had total strangers ask you if your twins spoke a special language that only they understood or if they communicated with some form of sign language. In reality, what it seems to be is the twins learning the language of the other twin , immature and underdeveloped mistakes and all, rather that learning from an adult. It results in both twins often having delayed sounds and speech, yet having the ability to completely understand each other, even if others do not.

Twin language can result when one or both twins have difficulty with certain sounds and words. The other twin will learn their mistakes and repeat them, resulting in a continuation of the speech errors. Sometimes, when twins are born prematurely ( as is common) or have low birth weight, there can also be a higher incidence of speech delays. Sometimes only one twin will have the delay, yet the other twin will speak in the same manner even though they are perfectly capable of saying the word or sound correctly.


When you are parenting your twins, pay special attention to their twin language skills and communication. The faster you can catch a delay, the sooner you can work to correct it. It is important that you make an effort to speak one on one with each of your twins on a daily basis so that you can model language for them. Twins left to themselves will often pick up numerous errors in speech because they are learning from each other.

Simple things you can do to help foster their language development is just to talk! Talk about what you're doing, why you're doing it, what you're looking at, what you're feeling. Talking to your twins is one of the best and easiest way to teach them language development.


Make an effort to not use baby talk. Use the correct names for things and they will follow. Encouraging baby talk will only lead to difficulties later in life when they start school and other adults are unable to understand them.

Encourage your twins to talk to you! Remind them to use their words. Many twins will almost use an unspoken language with each other, and may just grunt at you when they want something. Make them try to ask for what they need using words. If one of your twins is more dominant, try to ensure they don't answer and speak for their twin.

The use of puppets or stuffed animals 'speaking' to your twins can be great fun and result in both learning and giggles. Read to your twins to encourage their twin language development. It is never to early to start. Even babies can benefit from listening and looking at brightly colored pictures. Try to make reading a part of each day. Reading with your twins will improve their vocabulary and attention span. Ask them to point to objects they recognize and name them. Bedtime stories are a wonderful nighttime ritual that everyone can look forward to.

Studies have shown that twins are more at risk for language delays and as busy twin parents, sometimes it's easier to just let them have what they want without asking, or keep each other amused with silly talk. Just make sure you aware of the possibilities of developmental delays, and talk and read to your twins each day. Twin language, while cute, rarely evolves into an actual language over time, but can turn into an issue once school begins.