This section shares the inspiring stories of multilingual families around the world — their challenges, wins, and what raising bilingual children looks like in everyday life.
Malik & Emiko From: 🇵🇰 Pakistan + 🇯🇵 Japan Ages: 38 & 32 Languages Spoken: Urdu, Japanese, English Current Location: London, UK Child: Aiko, age 2 Story: A trilingual toddler raised in Urdu (Dad), Japanese (Mum), and English (nursery). They mix lullabies from all three cultures at bedtime. Can you describe your family’s language background?Malik […]
Kofi & Marijke From: 🇬🇭 Ghana + 🇳🇱 Netherlands Ages: 33 & 35 Languages Spoken: Twi, Dutch, English Current Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands Child: Nia, age 4 Story: Trilingual household. Nia speaks Dutch at daycare, Twi with Dad, and English with Grandma. Singing is their bonding language. Can you describe your family’s language background?Kofi grew up
Anna & Bethany From: 🇺🇸 USA Ages: 34 & 36 Languages Spoken: English, American Sign Language (ASL) Current Location: Seattle, USA Child: Max, age 5 (deaf) Story: They raise Max in a bilingual ASL + English home. Bethany signs full-time, Anna reads aloud. Both attend Deaf culture events and share videos online. Can you describe
Élise & Habib From: 🇫🇷 France + 🇹🇳 Tunisia Ages: 37 & 40 Languages Spoken: French, Arabic (Tunisian) Current Location: Marseille, France Child: Sami, age 6 Story: French dominates at school, but Arabic lives in bedtime stories and family gatherings. Sami is fluent and proud of both roots. Can you describe your family’s language background?Élise
Sara & Mateo From: 🇨🇴 Colombia + 🇺🇸 USA Ages: 33 & 35 Languages Spoken: Spanish, English Current Location: Atlanta, USA Child: Isabella, age 4 Story: They use English in public and Spanish at home. Storytime alternates nightly, and Isabella switches depending on her mood! Can you describe your family’s language background?Sara is originally from
Victor & Natalia From: 🇷🇺 Russia + 🇺🇦 Ukraine Ages: 36 & 34 Languages Spoken: Russian, Ukrainian Current Location: Warsaw, Poland Child: Dasha, age 5 Story: Raising a trilingual child in exile. Dasha speaks Polish with neighbours, Ukrainian with Mum, and Russian with Dad. Family is central to preserving heritage. Can you describe your family’s
Fatima & Carla From: 🇲🇦 Morocco + 🇮🇹 Italy Ages: 28 & 31 Languages Spoken: Arabic (Darija), Italian Current Location: Bologna, Italy Child: Rania, age 2 Story: Mixed-faith queer couple. Arabic is used during religious practice, Italian at nursery and play. They cook and sing in both. Can you describe your family’s language background?Fatima grew
Ingrid & Tomás From: 🇸🇪 Sweden + 🇦🇷 Argentina Ages: 30 & 35 Languages Spoken: Swedish, Spanish Current Location: Malmö, Sweden Child: Elva, age 4 Story: Met volunteering abroad. They keep things balanced with structured reading in both languages and alternate weekends in each language. Can you describe your family’s language background?Ingrid grew up in
Asha & Rajiv From: 🇮🇳 India Ages: 34 & 36 Languages Spoken: Hindi, English Current Location: Dubai, UAE Child: Anaya, age 3 Story: OPOL in an Arabic-speaking environment. Asha speaks Hindi, Rajiv English. Their daughter is learning Arabic socially and is on track to be trilingual. Can you describe your family’s language background?Asha was raised
Mohammed & Layla From: 🇪🇬 Egypt Ages: 39 & 37 Languages Spoken: Arabic, English Current Location: Toronto, Canada Children: Youssef (age 6), Mariam (age 2) Story: Immigrant couple keeping Arabic alive at home while navigating a fully English-speaking environment. They use Arabic at home and during religious activities, and English at school and playgroups. Can
