mothertongue

Mothertongue, usually written as two words “mother tongue,” denotes the language a person learns from birth and uses most in daily life during early childhood. It is commonly understood as the first language acquired at home and the foundation for literacy and identity.

Origin and usage: The term reflects a historical idea that language is handed down from one's mother; in many languages the phrase for “mother tongue” is equivalent to “native language” or “first language.” Some sources use the one-word variant “mothertongue.”

Education and policy: Many education systems tailor instruction to students’ mother tongue, especially in the early years, to support literacy before introducing additional languages. The practice, sometimes called mother-tongue-based education or bilingual education, varies by country and policy.

Definitions and distinctions: Some scholars differentiate between mother tongue, native language, and first language based on acquisition order, proficiency, or sociolinguistic identity. In everyday usage, the terms are often used interchangeably.

Language vitality: In multilingual societies, children may shift to other languages due to schooling, media, or urbanization, risking loss of the mother tongue in minority communities. Preservation efforts emphasize intergenerational transmission to maintain linguistic and cultural heritage.