kotikielen

Kotikielen, often translated as "home language" or "mother tongue" in Finnish discourse, is a term used in linguistics to describe the language or languages that a person uses most consistently in the home and in daily life. It usually corresponds to the language learned first in childhood from caregivers, but the precise definition can vary by context. In some discussions, kotikielen refers specifically to the language spoken within the family, whereas in others it may include the broader language environment of the home.

In multilingual settings, individuals may have multiple kotikielet. People may use different languages at home, at school, and in public life. The kotikieli can influence early literacy development, language proficiency across other languages, and social and cultural identity. It often shapes attitudes toward bilingualism and language maintenance in families and communities.

Policy and education refer to kotikielen when designing language of instruction, heritage-language programs, and support for bilingual learners. The term is not fixed; scholars and practitioners may define it differently depending on cultural, linguistic, and policy contexts. Understanding kotikielen helps describe how languages are acquired, distributed, and valued in everyday life.