Migrant children are often their parents’ translators – and it can lead to ill health

About 20% of Australians speak a language other than English at home, and in the majority of these cases the children of the household are significantly more fluent in English than the parents. This puts them in the position of acting as an interpreter, often in quite serious circumstances such as medical and legal issues.

Interpretation is a skilled profession (beyond simple bilingualism) that requires support, training and more cultural awareness than an eight-year-old typically as – it's a heavy responsibility to put on a child. While children generally feel good about being able to help, it can also feel like a burden. It forces the child, to some degree, into 'parenting' the parent, a role reversal that leads to stress and poor mental health.