When I found out I was pregnant with twins, I purchased all the books I could find on the topics of being pregnant with and raising twins. This was, after all, our first pregnancy and our first children, and I wanted to learn everything I possibly could about providing them with the tools they needed to help them thrive.
One of the twin phenomena I read about in almost every book was idioglossia, also known as twin talk, which is the idea that twins develop a secret language with each other that no one else can understand.
But what causes twin talk, and why do some twins say they experience it, while others do not? Is this phenomenon a luck of the draw, or is there a real science behind it?
Is Twin Talk Real?
Twin talk, as cute as it is, can actually be a matter of delayed or poor speech development in either twin, or both.
One child may have difficulty articulating certain sounds and words, similar to a child babbling to his reflection in a mirror, while the second child chooses to mimic the sounds the first child makes, even though he may be better at articulating words. The two continue to talk this way, understanding what the other is saying, but meanwhile it sounds like a secret language to you and others around you.
Why Does This Happen?
There are a number of theories on why twin talk occurs.
Delays in speech related to low birth weight and premature births, limited one-on-one communication time with parents, and more one-on-one communication with each other are just a few of the reasons some believe twin talk occurs.
The Secret Language at Our House
Our twins definitely had their own secret language when they were younger, and even though they are almost 6 years old, they still revert back to their secret language at times. I remember vividly how cute they were, sitting on the floor, face to face, while they babbled away about who knows what.
Was our twins’ talk a matter of a speech delay? Yes, it probably was. Our twins were born 11 weeks premature, resulting in delayed speech when compared to most term children. Though they were delayed compared to standard medical charts, they were always right on track with the corrected age chart for premature children.
Since twin talk can be a matter of delayed or poor speech, it’s always a good idea to talk to your pediatrician about your children’s development level, to be sure additional speech therapy is not necessary.
If your pediatrician determines your twins’ speech is on track for their age, then I say enjoy the twin talk. Cherish it, videotape it, and share it with your children when they grow up. This is just one of the many special twin phenomena your twins will share together as they grow up together.
Do your twins engage in ‘twin talk’?
Image courtesy of Flickr.
Article first published as Twin Talk: The Secret Language of Twins on Parent Society.
About Stacy Molter
Mine didn’t do the twin talk thing…they are a boy/girl set and while they fight like cats and dogs most days they are still very protective of each other.
Isn’t it wonderful how much twins love each other? They can be going at it one minute, then forget their differences to defend each other at the drop of a hat. Twin love is unique and something very, very special.
My twins were mute – no kidding – until age 3 and then they just started talking one day. Now at almost eleven years old they are both chatterboxes. Of course when they were 2 and not talking I was worried and took them to a speech pathologist. They were tested and one was given a level the same as a one year old; the other a nine month old. The difference was that I had been teaching them sign language and one knew one more signed word than the other. Of course friends and family often commented (negatively) that because I taught them baby sign language, they had no reason to speak. I disagreed and was glad that they could at least communicate with us in some fashion regardless of vocal or signed. Anyway, like I said they magically started speaking at 3, and have never stopped.
They were also developmentally delayed in walking – both at 16 months. Not sure if this is related or if they just are late bloomers. They were premature – 35 weeks gestation, but hey they were almost 8lbs each!!
So no twin speak in our house – just twin silence… I kind of miss it.
8 lbs is amazing for 35 week premature twins. Great job mama! Our twins were 3.5 pounds each at 29 weeks and they were even big for their gestation.
I am one who wishes I would have taught our boys sign language as babies. I believe as long as they communicate, either vocally or by signing, then they are developing just fine.