It is estimated that over half of the world’s population speaks more than one language. Thus, it is highly likely that Speech–Language pathologists (SLPs) will be called upon at some time in their careers to assess and potentially treat multilinguals with speech sound disorders. The focus of this entry is on speech sound development and disorders and the appropriate assessment and treatment of such disorders in multilinguals.

A popular misconception about multilinguals is that they have equal skills in all their languages. That simply is not the case. Multilingualism should be viewed as existing on a continuum. That is, multilinguals can be very multilingual or slightly multilingual. Because language (including speech sound) skills lie on a continuum, multilinguals can have different abilities in each of their ...