Mother tongue. The first language we learn, and usually by our mother, and father. Sometimes we get to learn two languages at once if the parents are from different linguistic background. And sometimes the third language enters the picture early on as we enter the school and the language of the land is not that of our parents.

So, whatever else we may call the mother tongue - first language, native tongue, parent tongue - it will be the language of feelings and self-expression more than any other language we may learn. Or, hold on - will it?

Sometimes another language catches our attention like no other. We may decide to start adopting it as a dominant language for some reason. We may find it so appealing that we want it make it “our own”, and consider us even bilingual by doing that. No matter what the term, the new language may come to be a meaningful part of our life and psyche.

Still, our mother tongue will probably be the language we have left - of all the languages we have learned and even mastered during our life - when we grow old and need to express what we want, what we feel, and who we know. That is why every society should find ways to offer services to senior citizens of advanced age in their own language. For the curve of human development works the same way in languages as it does in walking, eating, physical build-up etc. In the beginning there is little, then there is a lot, then a lot more, then to apex till the eventual lessening and decline of most everything. The mother tongue that we first learned is also the last to go, till there is only silence, like in the very beginning of life. The circle of life is beautiful in its uniformity and simplicity.

Ps. If you want to read other Language Day articles, just click Language Day on the right under Categories! And here is another article on mother tongue.

Updated 29.10.2021