ojczysty

Ojczysty is a Polish adjective meaning native, domestic, or pertaining to one’s homeland or mother tongue. In modern usage it commonly appears in phrases such as język ojczysty (mother tongue) and mówić w języku ojczystym (to speak in one’s native language). It can also describe something connected to one’s homeland or upbringing, for example dom ojczysty (one’s native home) or tradycje ojczyste (native traditions). The term is often contrasted with obcy (foreign) and is widely used in education, sociology, and cultural discourse to distinguish one’s first language and cultural background from languages or influences acquired later.

In linguistic and cultural discussions, język ojczysty refers to the language learned from early childhood, usually within the family environment. It is frequently considered central to personal identity and cultural heritage, though it may not be the same as the language of schooling or daily life in a multilingual society.

Etymology: ojczysty is derived from roots in Slavic languages connected with origin and homeland; in Polish it forms a semantic field with related terms such as ojczyzna (homeland) and ojciec (father), though precise historical derivation is a matter of linguistic study.

See also: mother tongue, native language, homeland, obcy.