The mother tongue is the first language a person learns at home during childhood and still understands at the time the data is collected.
According to the provided reference, the definition of a mother tongue is nuanced. It's not simply the first language one is exposed to; it's the language that:
- Is learned at home during childhood.
- Is still understood by the person when the data is gathered.
If a person no longer understands their initial first language, then the mother tongue shifts to the second language they learned and still understand. This understanding element is critical to the definition. It means:
- A person can forget their first language due to lack of use or other reasons.
- If they forget their first language, their 'mother tongue' becomes the second language that they still understand.
Key Aspects of Mother Tongue
Here are some important elements of mother tongue:
- Early Acquisition: It's learned naturally and subconsciously during the most formative years of childhood.
- Home Environment: Typically, the language used most commonly within the immediate family or primary caregivers.
- Primary Communication: Often, it becomes the primary vehicle for thought, emotional expression, and cultural connection.
- Foundation for Language Learning: It serves as the foundation for learning any subsequent languages.
- Not Always the First Language: In situations where someone doesn't remember or understand their first language anymore, their second language that they know and use becomes their mother tongue.
Mother Tongue vs Other Languages
It is important to distinguish between a mother tongue and other languages a person might know:
| Feature | Mother Tongue | Second Language (or other languages) |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition | Learned naturally in early childhood | Learned consciously later in life |
| Proficiency | Typically at a high level of competence and fluency | Proficiency varies; some may be conversational |
| Emotional Connection | Often associated with strong emotional and cultural ties | Connection may be less emotional |
| Use | Used for daily communication and emotional expression | May be used in specific contexts |
The concept of the mother tongue emphasizes the deeply rooted and foundational role the first language plays in a person's life.
