Psychologists Warn That Native Language Barriers Distort Child Assessments

September 26, 2026 - 07:11

Psychologists have raised serious concerns about the practice of administering tests to children in a language that is not their mother tongue. Speaking at the second session of a congress organised by the Mesopotamia Psychologists Association in Amed, also known as Diyarbakir, experts argued that such evaluations often produce misleading results and can unfairly label children.

The event was held under the slogan "Human psychology should be understood through language and..." which set the tone for discussions focused on the deep connection between language and mental health. Participants stressed that a child's cognitive and emotional development is closely tied to the language they use at home and in their community.

When assessment tools are designed for one linguistic and cultural context and then applied to children from another, the outcomes rarely reflect the child's true abilities. Instead, they may suggest learning difficulties, developmental delays, or behavioural problems that do not actually exist. This can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate educational placements, and lasting harm to a child's confidence and future.

The psychologists called for culturally and linguistically sensitive testing methods, trained interpreters, and greater awareness among educators and clinicians. They also urged institutions to recognise linguistic diversity as a strength rather than a deficit. According to the speakers, understanding a child's psychology requires understanding the language through which that child experiences the world. Without this, assessments risk becoming tools of exclusion rather than support.