Nina & Diego

From: 🇮🇹 Italy + 🇧🇴 Bolivia

Ages: 29 & 30

Languages Spoken: Italian, Spanish

Current Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Child: Lucia, age 3

Story: They teach their daughter both Italian and Bolivian Spanish through stories, food, and family calls.

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Can you describe your family’s language background?
Nina is from Rome and grew up speaking Italian at home and learning English at school. Diego is from Cochabamba and speaks Bolivian Spanish, with a little Quechua from his grandparents. We met while studying in Argentina, where Spanish is the main language around us. So, we come from two strong but different language roots.

Which languages are you using, how and where, and how did you decide on that mix?
We use Italian and Spanish equally. Nina speaks only Italian with Lucia, and Diego only Spanish — we follow the OPOL (One Parent One Language) method. In public or with others, we tend to default to Spanish because we’re in Argentina, but at home, we stick to our languages. It felt natural and fair to give her both from the start.

Why is teaching those languages important for you?
Our languages are our cultures, our families, and our memories. It’s not just about speaking — it’s about Lucia being able to call her nonna in Italy or understand her abuelo’s jokes in Bolivia. It’s who she is.

When did you first decide to raise your child bilingually?
Pretty much as soon as we found out we were pregnant. It was always a given. There wasn’t really a conversation — more like a mutual understanding.

Did you follow a specific strategy (e.g. OPOL, ML@H), or did it evolve naturally?
We’ve used OPOL from day one. It helps keep things clear, and we’ve found Lucia responds really well to it. She switches between us without confusion.

What were your biggest concerns at the beginning — and how did those play out over time?
We were worried she might get confused or mix the languages constantly. But while she did mix early on, it sorted itself out faster than we expected. Kids are clever.

What helped you stay consistent in using both languages? What’s your routine?
Structure. We read one book a night in each language. Meals are usually with Diego, so that’s Spanish time. Bath and bedtime are with Nina, so that’s Italian. We also video call both families every week, which keeps both languages active.

Has your approach changed as your child got older?
A little. Now that she’s at a local preschool (in Spanish), we’ve added more Italian time in the evenings to balance things. We’ve also started letting her watch Italian cartoons on weekends.

How do you handle resistance or when your child favours one language?
When she leans into Spanish (which is more common here), we just gently model Italian and make it fun. No forcing. Sometimes we’ll pretend Nina “can’t understand” unless it’s in Italian — it turns into a game.

Have you experienced any moments of breakthrough or pride in their language development?
Yes! When she told the entire plot of her favourite Italian storybook to her grandma in Rome, complete with voices — that was a real wow moment. Nina cried.

What role has extended family, or your community played in supporting (or challenging) your goals?
Our families have been amazing. They only speak to her in their language and send books, voice notes, even homemade recordings. Our friends are curious and supportive, even if some joke that we’re “raising a little diplomat.”

Got a funny or unexpected story from your bilingual journey? We’d love to hear it.
Once, she combined Diego’s expression “¡Qué rico!” with Nina’s “Che buono!” and shouted “¡Qué buono!” at a neighbour’s BBQ — they were baffled, but she was very proud of herself.

Have you ever felt pressure (internal or external) about your bilingual goals?
Yes. Mostly internal. Sometimes we wonder if we’re doing enough or if she’ll reject one language later. And occasionally people say, “Why not just stick to Spanish?” But we’re committed.

Do you feel like your child connects emotionally or culturally to both languages?
Absolutely. She dances to Bolivian folk songs and kisses the phone when her nonna sings Italian lullabies. She’s connected in her own beautiful way.

What’s been the most unexpected challenge?
Not having a wider Italian-speaking community here in Buenos Aires. It takes extra effort to keep Italian from becoming just “mummy’s language.”

What has surprised you most in a positive way?
How naturally she switches between languages depending on who she’s talking to — no hesitation, no confusion. It’s like she has a tiny language switch in her head.

What technology or other resources do you use to support language learning?
WhatsApp voice notes, YouTube Kids (carefully selected!), dual-language books, Spotify playlists in both languages, and calls with grandparents. Also, a few Italian podcasts for toddlers.

Have schooling or childcare settings helped or hindered the process?
It’s a mixed bag. Her preschool is all in Spanish, but they’re respectful of other cultures. They let her bring in Italian books and even had a “language week” where she taught the class some words.

If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?
Start an Italian playgroup sooner. We waited too long to find other Italian-speaking families, and that could’ve helped from the start.

What advice would you give to other parents just starting out?
Stick with it. It might feel awkward at first, but it becomes second nature. Don’t worry about mistakes — focus on connection. And make it fun. Bilingual kids thrive when language comes with love, stories, food, and play.

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