Final answer:
Exposing an infant to multiple languages is not harmful; it is deeply supported by cognitive and linguistic research that suggests it enriches children's development. Infants have innate abilities to learn any language through natural exposure, and bilingualism has been shown to have positive impacts on overall progress.
Step-by-step explanation:
No, it is not harmful to language development if an infant is exposed to more than one language. In fact, children come into the world with innate cognitive abilities that make them primed for language learning, and they are biologically equipped to master any language from birth. The process of language acquisition in children is consistent across different cultures and proceeds through certain stages without the necessity for formal instruction. Significant research, including a study by Johns Hopkins University, has found that children taught in both their native language and English, or any second language, oftentimes make better progress than those who learn only in a single language.
Babies are ready to learn about language before they're even born, showing a preference for their mother's voice and the ability to distinguish between familiar languages and those that are foreign. Furthermore, children's learning of language is facilitated by their social context and environment, as they absorb language through passive exposure and through interactions within their community.
Cognitive development and language acquisition research supports the idea that there is a biological predisposition for acquiring language. Challenges to language learning are usually greater in adulthood, highlighting the benefits of early, dual-language exposure. Overall, exposure to multiple languages enriches a child's cognitive, social, and linguistic development without hindering their language acquisition abilities.