retraso en el lenguaje
/retɾaso en el lenɡwaxe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "speech delay" is translated into Spanish as retraso en el lenguaje.
retraso en el lenguaje is used to describe a condition where a person does not develop speaking skills as quickly as expected for their age. It is a common term used in clinical, educational and medical contexts to describe developmental delays in communication.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of retraso (delay), en (in), el (the) and lenguaje (language).
Which one should you use?
While retraso en el lenguaje is a standard way to describe the condition, retraso del habla is another common alternative used to express "speech delay".
How do you pronounce it?
/retɾaso en el lenɡwaxe/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, parents may initially describe a speech delay using the phrase está muy callado ('he/she is very quiet') to avoid the stigma of a medical label like retraso.
- The term lenguaje did not come directly from Latin into Spanish, but was borrowed from Old French or Old Occitan versions of the word.
- Spanish distinguishes between lenguaje (the general system of communication) and habla (the physical act of speaking). While retraso en el lenguaje refers to a cognitive or linguistic delay, retraso del habla often refers specifically to the mechanics of producing sounds.
Examples in context
- Mi hijo tiene un retraso en el habla y estamos buscando un terapeuta del lenguaje que pueda ayudarlo.My child has a speech delay, and we are looking for a speech therapist who can help him.
- Me di cuenta de que mi sobrino tiene problemas de hablar para su edad.I noticed that my nephew has speaking problems for his age.
- Su hijo tiene un retraso en el lenguaje.Her son has a speech delay.
- El pediatra detectó un retraso en el lenguaje.The pediatrician detected a speech delay.
- Estamos trabajando para corregir el retraso en el lenguaje.We are working to correct the speech delay.
Example conversation
A doctor's office during a checkup for a child.
- ElenaDoctor, ¿es normal este retraso en el lenguaje?Doctor, is this speech delay normal?
- MateoElena, es común en algunos niños de su edad.Elena, it is common in some children of his age.
- ElenaEntiendo, ¿qué podemos hacer por Mateo?I understand, what can we do for Mateo?
- MateoPodemos empezar con algunas terapias de apoyo.We can start with some support therapies.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, en, lenguaje, retraso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
