When Aline Reis speaks Portuguese to her toddler Ollie, he replies in English.
The Brazilian-born, full-time mum often then switches to English — and feels guilty about it.
“I’m like OK, wait a second, I need to go back to Portuguese because I’m only speaking English with him,” Ms Reis said.
“I’m feeling guilty like, ‘It’s all my fault he’s not speaking Portuguese because I’m only speaking English with him.'”
This experience is common where, as is the case in Australia, one language is dominant, said Una Cunningham, the author of Growing Up with Two Languages.
