importance of mother tongue essay class 12

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Essay On Importance of Mother Tongue – 10 Lines, Short and Long Essay

Key Points to Remember When Writing Essay on Mother Tongue

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Writing essays helps illuminate our thoughts and fosters a deep understanding of subjects. Especially when the topic is as personal and profound as one’s mother tongue. This essay on the mother tongue in English aims to stress its importance, not just for linguistic evolution, but for cultural identity. As per the Cambridge Dictionary , the mother tongue is the very first language you learn when you’re just a baby. It’s the language you pick up naturally from your family and surroundings long before you start learning any other language at school or as you grow up (1) . It is more than just a medium of communication; it’s a bridge to our ancestry, memories, and childhood. As you delve into this essay for children and students, you will discover the deep connection we share with our mother tongue and how it shapes our thinking, emotions, and worldview.

Writing an essay on such an important topic as the mother tongue demands an approach that combines research with emotional depth. The significance of our mother language cannot be overstated, making it vital to handle this subject with care. Here are some pivotal guidelines to ensure your mother language essay is both informative and impactful:

Topic Understanding: Before starting, ensure you truly understand the depth and nuances of the mother tongue and its implications on culture, identity, and personal development.

Personal Touch: Since this is a personal and deeply resonant topic, it’s beneficial to include anecdotes or experiences related to your mother tongue. It will make your essay relatable and heartfelt.

Research Well: While personal experiences are vital, grounding your essay in facts and studies can add depth. For instance, research on the cognitive benefits of learning in one’s mother tongue can be a valuable addition.

Cultural Significance: Emphasise the cultural and historical importance of mother tongues. Discuss how they play a role in preserving traditions, folklore, and shared community memories.

Global Context: Highlight the position of mother tongues in a globalised world. Discuss the challenges and importance of preserving them in the face of global languages.

Language Structure: Ensure your essay has a clear structure – an introduction, main body, and conclusion. Each section should flow logically to the next, creating a coherent narrative.

Originality: While it’s okay to seek inspiration from other sources, make sure your essay is original. Avoid plagiarism and aim for authenticity in your words and ideas.

Proofread: Once you’ve penned down your thoughts, take the time to review your essay. Check for grammatical errors, ensure smooth transitions between points, and verify that the content aligns with the topic.

Engaging Conclusion: Conclude your mother language essay in a way that leaves a lasting impression on readers, emphasising the timeless importance and personal connection we all share with our native languages.

The mother tongue, our first language, forms the cornerstone of our cultural and personal identities. This language resonates with our earliest memories, emotions, and experiences. Here’s a short essay for lower primary classes that encapsulates the essence of the mother tongue in 10 easy-to-understand lines:

1. Mother tongue is the first language we learn from our parents.

2. It holds our family’s stories, songs, and secrets.

3. Every culture has its unique mother tongue that shapes its identity.

4. Our mother tongue helps us express our truest feelings easily.

5. Learning in our mother tongue makes understanding simpler and fun.

6. It connects us to our grandparents and ancient traditions.

7. Through it, we can understand our culture’s folktales and songs.

8. Every mother tongue is special and deserves to be cherished.

9. By speaking in our mother tongue, we celebrate our heritage.

10. Our mother tongue is like a comforting lullaby, always close to our hearts.

The mother tongue, a gift bestowed upon us from birth, is the vessel of our earliest memories, emotions, and cultural expressions. Its importance transcends mere communication, embedding itself into the very fabric of our identity. The following paragraph delves into the essence of the mother tongue when expressed in English:

While globally dominant, the English language often finds itself intertwined with a myriad of mother tongues, each enriching it with unique nuances. Our mother tongue, intrinsically linked to our heritage and identity, carries tales of our ancestors and the melodies of lullabies sung to us as children. This language, deeply rooted in emotions and memories, forms an irreplaceable part of our psyche. Even as we navigate the vast expanse of global languages, our mother tongue remains our anchor, providing solace, authenticity, and an unmistakable sense of home. Recognising the profound significance of our mother tongue helps us appreciate the cultural tapestries that shape our world and our place within it.

The mother tongue, often considered the language of the soul, encapsulates the essence of one’s culture, heritage, and personal experiences. It acts as a compass that guides our emotional and cognitive landscapes. Here’s a short essay exploring the profound significance of the mother tongue:

Our mother tongue, the very first language that dances on our lips, is intrinsically tied to our identity. It’s not merely a medium of communication but a blanket of memories, emotions, and cultural traditions. Every lullaby sung, every story narrated, and every emotion expressed finds its purest form in our mother tongue. Children, when introduced to concepts in their native language, exhibit enhanced comprehension and a deeper emotional connection. Additionally, our mother tongue keeps our traditions and cultural heritage alive, preserving age-old traditions, stories, and values. Even though we learn different languages because of how connected the world is now, it’s still really important to love and keep our mother language strong. For in its melodies and rhythms, we find the echoes of our past and the aspirations of our future. It’s like our anchor, keeping us connected to where we come from, even if we go exploring other languages.

The mother tongue, our primary language, forms an intrinsic part of our identity. It ties us to our cultural heritage, shapes our cognitive processes, and influences our emotional responses. Understanding its significance, especially in the realms of education and national development, is imperative. In this essay, we’ll delve deeper into the essence of the mother tongue and explore ways to promote its preservation and growth.

Importance of Mother Tongue

Our mother tongue is much more than just a language; it is a representation of our history, culture, and collective memory. It serves as a bridge linking us to our ancestors, the values they upheld, and the tales they told. This deep-seated connection impacts our lives, especially in education and national development.

Significance in National Development

A nation’s strength isn’t solely determined by its economy or military prowess, but also by the preservation and promotion of its cultural heritage. The mother tongue plays a pivotal role here. It fosters unity, instils a sense of belonging, and reinforces shared values. By promoting and preserving our mother tongue, we ensure that our national identity remains intact, even in the face of rapid globalisation.

Importance in Education

Mother tongue education means teaching kids using the language they speak at home. It helps them learn better because they already understand that language well (2) . Educating children in their mother tongue has myriad benefits, including (3) :

Enhances Learning: Concepts are grasped faster when taught in a child’s native language.

Builds Emotional Connection: Students relate better to content when it’s in their mother tongue, fostering a deeper emotional understanding.

Boosts Confidence: Children are more expressive and confident when communicating in their primary language.

Preserves Culture: UNICEF also agrees that teaching in the mother tongue ensures that traditional values and stories are passed down to younger generations as it preserves and promotes the cultural identity of a community (4) .

Promotes Holistic Development: A balance of mother tongue and global languages ensures a well-rounded education.

Ways to Promote Mother Tongue

1. Celebration of Language Days: Hosting annual events celebrating various mother tongues can instil pride and promote usage.

2. Incorporate in School Curriculum: By including mother tongue literature and stories in school curriculums, we ensure it remains a vital part of a child’s education.

3. Encourage Media Representation: Local television shows, radio programs, and films can help in the widespread dissemination of the language.

4. Literature Festivals: Hosting events that focus on literature in one’s mother tongue can amplify its reach and appreciation.

5. Language Classes: Organising community-based classes to teach and preserve the language ensures that younger generations stay connected to their roots.

In the Mother Tongue essay, your child will learn how special their first language is and why it’s more than just a way to talk. This essay explains how language connects to culture, who we are, and how we think and feel. It shows how speaking our mother tongue helps us understand the world better and feel closer to others. Moreover, by appreciating the importance of mother tongues in education and national development, your child will gain a holistic perspective on its relevance in the global context.

1. Can a child have more than one mother tongue?

Absolutely! A child can indeed have more than one mother tongue, especially if they are raised in a bilingual or multilingual environment. When children are exposed to more than one language from birth or at a very young age and use them frequently in various spheres of life (e.g., one language with one parent and another with the second parent), they can develop native proficiency in both, effectively having multiple mother tongues.

2. What is the difference between mother tongue and first language?

The terms ‘mother tongue’ and ‘first language’ are often used interchangeably. However, there’s a subtle distinction:

Mother Tongue: This typically refers to the language spoken at home, especially by one’s parents or caregivers. It’s deeply connected to one’s cultural and familial roots.

First Language: This is the language that a person learns first and in which they are most fluent or comfortable. In many cases, a person’s mother tongue and first language are the same, especially if they continue to use that language predominantly. However, due to circumstances such as migration or a change in the primary language of education, a person’s first language might shift from their mother tongue.

Both terms emphasise the foundational role of language in one’s life, but the specific focus of each can vary based on context and individual experiences.

The mother tongue, intricately woven into our identity, remains a testament to our cultural heritage, familial bonds, and individual narratives. Its significance extends beyond simple communication, touching upon the core of our emotions, memories, and expressions. Through essays and discussions, we not only underscore its importance but also educate and empower the younger generation to cherish and uphold this linguistic treasure. Recognising, celebrating, and promoting our mother tongue ensures the preservation of our rich tapestry of traditions, stories, and values for generations to come.

References/Resources:

1. Mother tongue; Cambridge Dictionary; https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/mother-tongue

2. Learn more about Mother Tongue & Multilingual Education; Rutu Foundation; https://www.rutufoundation.org/what-is-mother-tongue-education/

3. Multilingual education – a pillar of learning and intergenerational learning; United Nations; https://www.un.org/en/observances/mother-language-day

4. Learning in the mother tongue is the best start to education; UNICEF; https://www.unicef.org/india/stories/learning-mother-tongue-best-start-education

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A Summary and Analysis of Amy Tan’s ‘Mother Tongue’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Mother Tongue’ is an essay by Amy Tan, an American author who was born to Chinese immigrants in 1952. Tan wrote ‘Mother Tongue’ in 1990, a year after her novel The Joy Luck Club was a runaway success. In the essay, Tan discusses her relationship with language, and how her mother’s influence has shaped her use of English, as well as her attitude to it.

You can read ‘Mother Tongue’ here before proceeding to our summary and analysis of Amy Tan’s essay below.

‘Mother Tongue’: summary

Amy Tan begins her essay by offering her personal opinions on the English language. She recalls a recent talk she gave, when, upon realising her mother was in the audience, she was confronted with the fact that the formal standard English she was using in the public talk was at odds with the way she spoke at home with her mother. She then contrasts this with a moment when she was walking down the street with her mother and she used the more clipped, informal English she naturally uses with her mother, and her husband.

Tan calls this a ‘language of intimacy’. She points out that her mother is intelligent and reads things which Tan herself cannot begin to understand. But many people who hear her mother speak can only partially understand what she is saying, and some even say they can understand nothing of what she says, as if she were speaking pure Chinese to them.

Tan calls this clipped informal language her ‘mother tongue’, because it was the first language she learned and it helped to shape the way she saw the world and made sense of it.

Tan notes the difficulty of finding a term to describe the style of English her mother, as a Chinese immigrant to the United States, speaks. Many of the terms, such as ‘broken’ or ‘limited’, are too negative and imply her English is imperfect.

She acknowledges that when she was growing up, she was ashamed of the way her mother spoke. Her mother, too, was clearly aware of how her use of the language affected how seriously people took her, for she used to get her daughter to phone people and pretend to be ‘Mrs Tan’.

She observes that her mother is treated differently because of the way she speaks. She recounts a time when the doctors at the hospital were unsympathetic towards her mother when they lost the results of the CAT scan they had undertaken on her brain, but as soon as the hospital – at her mother’s insistence – called her daughter, they issued a grovelling apology.

Amy Tan also believes her mother’s English affected her daughter’s school results. Tan acknowledges that, whilst she did well in maths and science, subjects with a single correct answer, she was less adept at English. She struggled with tests which asked students to pick a correct word to fill in the blanks in a sentence because she was distracted by the imaginative and poetic possibilities of other words.

Indeed, Tan conjectures that many Asian American children are probably encouraged to pursue careers in jobs requiring maths and science rather than English for this reason. But because she is rebellious and likes to challenge people’s assumptions about her, Tan bucked this trend. She majored in English at college and began writing as a freelancer.

She began writing fiction in 1985, and after several false starts trying to find her own style and idiom, she began to write with her mother in mind as the ideal reader for her stories. Indeed, her mother read drafts of her work.

And Tan drew on all the Englishes , plural, that she knew: the ‘broken’ English her mother used, the ‘simple’ English Tan used when talking to her mother, the ‘watered-down’ Chinese her mother used, and her mother’s ‘internal’ language which conveyed her passion, intent, imagery, and the nature of her thoughts. When her mother told her that what she had written was easy to read, Tan knew that she had succeeded in her aims as a writer.

‘Mother Tongue’: analysis

The title of Amy Tan’s essay is a pun on the expression ‘mother tongue’, referring to one’s first language. But Tan’s language, or ‘tongue’, has been shaped by her actual mother, whose first language (or mother tongue) was not English, but Chinese.

The different forms of English that mother and daughter speak are also a product of their backgrounds: whilst Tan’s mother is a Chinese immigrant to America, Tan was born in the United States and has grown up, and been educated, in an English-speaking culture.

Much of Tan’s 1989 novel The Joy Luck Club is about daughters and their relationships with their mothers. But Tan’s interest in language, both as a cultural marker and as a way of expressing thought and personality, is also a prevailing theme of the novel.

In this respect, if the parable ‘ Feathers from a Thousand Li Away ’ acts as preface to the novel, ‘Mother Tongue’, in effect, acts as a kind of postscript. It helps us to understand the way Tan approaches and uses language within the stories that make up The Joy Luck Club .

An overarching theme of Tan’s novel is mothers emigrating to America in the hope that their daughters will have better lives than they did. This is a key part of ‘Feathers from a Thousand Li Away’, and it helps us to understand Tan’s conflicted attitude towards her mother’s use of language as explored in ‘Mother Tongue’.

Many of the mothers in The Joy Luck Club , such as Betty St. Clair in ‘The Voice from the Wall’, feel isolated from those around them, never at home in America, and hyper-aware of their outsider status, despite becoming legal permanent citizens in the country. Tan’s autobiographical revelations in ‘Mother Tongue’ show us that her own mother struggled to be taken seriously among Americans, and Tan diagnoses this struggle as a result of her mother’s different way of speaking.

Tan, by contrast, used standard English – what used to be referred to, in loaded phrases, as ‘correct’ or ‘proper’ English – and was thus able to succeed in getting herself, and by extension her mother, taken seriously by others. Language is thus more than just a cultural marker: Tan reveals, in ‘Mother Tongue’, the extent to which it is a tool of power (or, depending on the use, powerlessness), particularly for those from migrant backgrounds.

In this connection, it is noteworthy that Tan chooses to focus on the school tests she undertook before concluding that her mother’s ‘broken’ style of English has been misunderstood – not just literally (by some people who’ve known her), but in terms of the misleading perceptions of her it has led others to formulate.

The class tests at school which reduced English proficiency to an ability to recognise a ‘correct’ answer are thus contrasted with Tan’s resounding final words of ‘Mother Tongue’, which see her seeking to capture the passion of her mother, the ‘nature of her thoughts’, and the imagery she uses: all things which her daughter has clearly inherited a respect for, and which school tests fail to capture or observe.

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Importance Of Mother Tongue (Essay Sample)

Mother tongue is the initial language one learns as a baby; the language one grows up knowing, which is also known as the native language. A child first comprehends what is around them through the language they hear their mother communicating in from before they are born and throughout their lives. Mother tongue is valuable due to several reasons.

Mother tongue is crucial in framing the thinking and emotions of people. A language plays an essential part in the life of a human being. The language facilitates a comprehension of the surrounding, learning of concepts and attaining of various skills. A child who ably learns their mother tongue from the initial parts of their lives, amass extensive language skills that help them to express themselves and developing their thinking capacity. Additionally, this language cultivates confidence and a sense of self-worth to a child in learning other things.

Learning in school accentuates with the use of mother tongue. Mother tongue is a powerful tool in advancing the learning in people. In childhood, when children spend their time with parents, they develop communication skills, skills that become paramount in school settings, for them to participate in class. Also, when parents tell stories and discuss matters with their children, it develops their terminology and concepts. Thus, when learning is conducted, the children effortlessly follow and understand, resulting in educational success.

Mother tongue develops a strong foundation for learning additional languages. Children are capable of learning multiple languages while young. Therefore, having a strong foundation in their mother’s language equips them the skills to learn other languages. Children achieve this by transferring the different structure of a language to other languages. Grammar that develops when a child learns their native language is easily transferable, whereby; a child can easily guess the meaning or read between the meanings of words in different languages.

Mother language develops a personal and cultural identity. Personal identity emerges out of a person’s understanding of themselves, their surroundings and their history. An individual hears their native language first when in the womb, and it subconsciously begins shaping their thoughts and emotions. Nelson Mandela said, “Talk to a person in their language, and it goes to their heart.” Thus, it becomes the source of instance connection with family, society, culture, and identity. Its strong foundation creates a strong accepting of oneself through an understanding of social origin and character in the most basic and natural manner. Moreover, by upholding of the different languages spoken in society, cultural identity arises that flows undoubtedly in other aspects of an individual’s life.

The mother tongue creates job opportunities. Increased immigration and population growth of international students who speak other languages other than English characterize the society. Thus, to facilitate effective communication and understanding of each other, different sectors of the economy, such as schools, health and in businesses, necessitates the need for an understanding of different languages. Consequently, the necessity for persons competent in different languages arises in the job market. Understanding and fluency in various native dialects hence give individuals an upper hand in becoming language specialist, thus, gainfully employed.

Mother tongue elicits the development of strong family bonds. In various households, particularly those of immigrants, some family members such as grandparents and parents do not understand English commonly utilized in different countries. Thus, when a child grows up with particular emphasis on speaking in a language other than their mother tongue, results in a linguistic gap with some family members, consequencing in an emotional disconnect with other family members.

The knowledge of the native language is a crucial aspect of a person’s life. It not only stimulates their confidence but also creates awareness of their individual and cultural identity, facilitates learning and adoption of other languages, creates job opportunities and keeps families tightly knit.

Why mother language-based education is essential

Every year on 21 February, the world celebrates International Mother Language Day , which was established at the initiative of Bangladesh by UNESCO’s General Conference in 1999. The Day is an essential platform to promote the importance of cultural and linguistic diversity, and multilingualism for peaceful and sustainable societies.

UNESCO has been leading the way and advocating for multilingual education based on the mother tongue from the earliest years of schooling. Research shows that education in the mother tongue is a key factor for inclusion and quality learning, and it also improves learning outcomes and academic performance. This is crucial, especially in primary school to avoid knowledge gaps and increase the speed of learning and comprehension. And most importantly, multilingual education based on the mother tongue empowers all learners to fully take part in society. It fosters mutual understanding and respect for one another and helps preserve the wealth of cultural and traditional heritage that is embedded in every language around the world. 

However, there is still a long way to go before guaranteeing all learners their right to education in their mother language. In most countries, the majority of students are taught in a language other than their mother tongue, which compromises their ability to learn effectively. It is estimated that 40 % of the world’s population does not have access to an education in a language they speak or understand. There are about 7,000 languages spoken around the world today. But linguistic diversity is increasingly threatened as more and more languages disappear at an alarming rate. And when a language disappears, it takes with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage.

Globally, progress is being made in multilingual education based on mother tongue with growing understanding of its importance, particularly in early schooling, and more commitment to its development in public life.

Through its normative frameworks for language policy and education, UNESCO shares good practices in bilingual and multilingual education and mother tongue instruction. It works with Member States to integrate multilingual education into curriculums and education systems. Recent successful initiatives to promote mother language-based education have taken place in Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti and Kenya.

The findings from UNESCO’s new report From rights to country level action shows national efforts made by different countries to foster cultural and linguistic diversity.

In addition, UNESCO recently unveiled the World Atlas of Languages , an unprecedented initiative to preserve, revitalize and promote global linguistic diversity and multilingualism.

Impact of COVID-19 on mother language education

School closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and deepened pre-existing education inequalities around the world. The closures ranged from a global average of 20 weeks to above 70 in some cases, more than a full school year. As always, it has impacted vulnerable and marginalized learners the hardest, which includes indigenous and speakers of languages from minority groups. According to UN estimates, nearly 500 million students from pre-primary to upper-secondary school were unable to access any remote learning opportunities during the lockdowns.

In many countries, distance teaching and learning tools, programmes and content were not always able to reflect linguistic diversity: They were largely provided in dominant national or international languages. When remote learning content is not available in students’ mother tongue, it increases the risk of learning loss, dropouts and exclusion. Many learners lacked the necessary equipment, internet access, accessible materials, content relevant to contexts and needs, and human support that would have allowed them to follow distance learning. Many teachers also didn’t have the skills and readiness for using distance teaching. They also struggled with digital tools in languages that they didn’t always master.

The massive digital divide shows how connectivity has become a key factor to guarantee the right to education. The lack of access to digital learning content is deepening inequalities, marginalization and exclusion. Another element that exacerbates the digital divide is the fact that many languages are not present on the Internet: There is a major linguistic divide in cyberspace today. The inclusion of languages in the digital world and the creation of inclusive learning content is vital. Remote learning based on the mother tongue should be incorporated into education systems in order for all learners, especially those from linguistic minorities, to access education during school closures and beyond.

This year’s International Mother Language Day theme, “ Using technology for multilingual learning ,” is an opportunity to take stock of the experience of the past two years, to move forward differently and better.

• More on International Mother Language Day
• More on UNESCO’s work around languages in education

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The Significance of Language: “Mother Tongue” Argumentative Essay

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Introduction

Language: significance and effects, importance of language: the tool that can unite and isolate, language as a necessity, importance of language in literature & communication, works cited.

This essay examines the importance of language in literature, communication, and culture in general. Language, identity, and power have an interrelationship that has generated debate and discourses that affect not only an individual but also the broader community from where he comes. In this research paper, we will explore the relationship between language and identity. Using Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue”, we will look at the significance of language and how it affects the lives of people in their communities.

Reading this story, it comes out clearly that the tongue affects the lives of individuals. That’s how language defines who we are. Therefore, it plays a role in his or her choices and the lifestyle he or she lives. People use language to view human life from different perspectives.

In this story, Amy explores how the language she learned in classroom affected her life in different ways. She is a daughter to immigrant parents; her mother is a smart woman. Amy is a source of communication between her mother and those who don’t understand her. Here, Amy has used this story to emphasize that someone is not less intelligent just because he or she can not speak perfect English, like those who are native speakers.

It is rare to get two people who speak the same language, even those who think they do so, fail to notice the variations in their speech because they are used to it. Amy is of Chinese descent, and therefore, language played a significant role in her family as she struggled to fit into the American society with a mother who used “limited English” (Tan 78).

This story reflects the lives of many Americans who are natural citizens of the United States. I am sure there are many people out there who have parents with their way of speaking and comprehension of the English language, as did Amy.

This fact does not reduce the intelligence of such parents. Still, they are forced to depend on their children for translations during communications. Sometimes it makes children ashamed by their parents, just as Amy was when she joined others to describe her mother’s English as ‘Broken “or “Fractured” (Tan 78).

Language is exceptional, not just for Amy and immigrants in foreign lands, but for all of us. Speech brings people close to their families in special ways. Amy agrees with me saying that language “can evoke an emotion, a visual image, a complex idea, or a simple truth” (Tan 76).(Tan 76).

Imagine a situation when you wake up one day and realize that you have no voice and, therefore, can not communicate with those around you. That’s when you will understand how large the importance of mother tongue is. Speechlessness means that you are not able to express yourself, communicate, or participate in what goes on in your world. Language involves combining specific words in a particular order.

This depends on different people where you can find people using the same words but in a separate order. What is important is that so long as they can communicate, then that order is important to them. Language, therefore, helps in empowering people and helping them establish and define their identity.

There is no doubt that through speech, people are bound together as one community. However, it can also alienate individuals in a community.

Sometimes people use language to label others as outsiders. People use language to form stereotypes of others. For instance, in this story, Amy tells us that she has often been asked why there aren’t many Asian Americans in American literature. We also learn that there are very few Asian Americans who do creative writing. The answer to these questions lies in the formation of stereotypes.

Many Asian Americans are known to do well in sciences and mathematics than in English. Their English, as Amy says, is also described as “broken” or “limited”. It means that their teachers use these stereotypes to steer them away from writing. They encourage them to take mathematics and sciences courses just as they did to Amy. Stereotyping, in essence, is wrong (Zeng 10).

Language does more than just articulating a simple truth; the way one commands language also matters a lot. We have just learned that without being able to speak, an individual will be voiceless, but having an imperfect language makes others see one as incomplete. However, those who are fluent in the standard language are seen to be superior to others. It is illustrated in “mother tongue” when Amy tells us the community treated her mother. She says: “People in department stores, at banks, and at restaurants did not take her seriously, did not give her good service, pretended not to understand her, or even acted as if they did not hear her.” (Tan 78)

Those people were not respectful to Amy’s mother because she spoke English that was simple, which they disparagingly termed as “broken” or “fractured” (Tan 78).

This reflects what happens in many communities in the world. When people lack the standard skills of a language, they become outsiders and, therefore, are discriminated by those who enjoy the standard language skills in their communities.

Reading through this story, one gets to understand that acquiring a specific language does not only enable one to be accepted in a community; it also helps in determining one’s individuality. The experience that an individual goes through with language goes a long way in shaping his or her self identity.

This is illustrated in this story clearly when Amy tells us about the different Englishes she applies in her daily communication. We see that to communicate with her family, Amy uses the simple form of English. She calls the one her mother uses as broken English, and however, when interacting with people in her personal life, Amy uses a more sophisticated version of the English language.

Bond explains further that both accommodation and affirmation can occur to the same content, in other words, there can be different effects language happening to the same type of content (Chen & Bond, p.399). She confesses that there were instances in her life when she was embarrassed by the English her mother used.

However, as she continued to grow, she came to understand how important the role of English was to her. She says in this story that she realized that her mother’s English was perfectly clear; it was actually her native language.

This means that it was this language that helped her make sense of what goes around her. This realization makes her wince whenever she calls her mother’s English as “broken” or “fractured”. She does not think that her mother’s English needs any fixing. To her, it is whole and sound, and therefore terming it broken or fractured when she uses it to communicate with her mum looks unfair (Tan 77).

Towards the end of this story, Amy tells us that it doesn’t matter what type of English you use, what matters is that you can communicate. The different Englishes in her life shaped her into what she later become, a writer, much to her critics’ disapproval that she couldn’t make a good writer. Therefore, the role and importance of language in literature is not as straightforward as it might seem.

It is an encouragement to those who are in the same circumstances as Amy that even if they find it hard to speak perfect English, they should never back down from giving their point of view. We have seen that despite her broken English, Amy’s mother helped her to understand English better.

It is her mother who encouraged her to become a writer. People have different mother tongues that they were taught when young, but as individuals grow, they develop different Englishes which they use as circumstances direct.

The language that an individual uses at work is not the same he uses at home or with friends. Language should be seen as a tool for social improvement, through which many people of different backgrounds come together in a cohesive coexistence (Feng 159).

This essay analyzed the importance of language using Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue”. To summarize, Tan’s story tells us that the main purpose of language is to enable people to express themselves and also be in a position to share the expression with others. That’s the sphere where the significance of language is undoubted. It doesn’t matter what form of the language one uses, so long as it is used to express oneself and others understand the expression, then no one is justified to discriminate against it no matter how broken or fractured the language.

Tan’s mother managed to express herself with people in her life using her Broken English; it is this same broken English that shaped Tan into what she is today. Had her mother stooped to intimidation, probably Tan wouldn’t have grown up to become a writer.

It is a person’s point of view that matters; therefore, people should not be intimidated by those who think they know the standard language from giving their points of view.

Chen, Sylvia & Bond, Michael. “Explaining language priming effects: Further evidence for ethnic affirmation among Chinese-English bilinguals.” Journal of language and social psychology 26.1 (2007): 398-406.

Feng, Hui. “Different languages, different cultures, different language ideologies, different linguistic models.” Journal of multicultural discourses 4.2 (2009): 151-164. Print.

Tan Amy (1990). “ Mother Tongue .” Three penny Review: 76-80. Print.

Zeng, Li. “Diasporic Self, Cultural Other: Negotiating Ethnicity through Transformation in the Fiction of Tan and Kingston.” Language and Literature XXVIII (2003): 1-15. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2018, May 24). The Significance of Language: “Mother Tongue”. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-significance-of-language/

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Essay, Paragraph or Speech on “Mother Tongue” Complete English Essay, Speech for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Mother Tongue

A “Mother tongue” is the language that a human being learns from infancy. It is normally the native language of that person and he learns it from his parents and other members of the family and it is with this language that he first learns to relate socially with other people. Language is not just a means of communication. To a large extent it pervades our culture and life and is indicative of the refinement of a race in many ways. It is intrinsic to an individual and there is a special bond one shares with the mother tongue.

These days we see the mother tongue losing importance to other languages. English being the international business language, one is forced to learn it to be competitive. While English as a unifying language is truly wonderful, we cannot allow the death of all the other languages and dialects our country is proud of. Each language bears its own flavor which is typical to the place of its origin and the people who speak it. While all languages are a means of communicating, there is a distinctive style that each language has and although one might be able to translate the gist of it, one can never hope to capture the flavor.

The mother tongue is the true vehicle of wit. A man’s native speech is an inseparable part of his personality and must never be lost. The mother tongue should be preserved at any cost to preserve the rich cultural fabric of our existence.

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• School Education /

Essay on Mother Tongue For School Students

• Updated on  
• Dec 27, 2023

Essay on Mother Tongue: To highlight the significance of mother tongue, Brigham Young said “See that your children are properly educated in the rudiments of their mother tongue, and then let them proceed to higher branches of learning.”

Mother tongue refers to the language we learn at our home. Fluency in this language allows one to grow and explore. Also, knowledge of one’s mother tongue helps carry forward our cultural identity. Apart from these, one’s mother tongue also enables one to understand the local culture and establish and grow business in that area. 

Table of Contents

• 1 Sample Essay on Mother Tongue in 100 Words
• 2 Sample Essay on Mother Tongue in 200 Words
• 3 Sample Essay on Mother Tongue in 300 Words

Also Read: Benefits of Learning Local Language of a Country 

Sample Essay on Mother Tongue in 100 Words

Mother tongue, also known as native language or first language, is spoken at home. It forms the core of our identity, embodies our cultural roots, and helps emote our thoughts. It also serves as a bridge that connects generations. 

Our first words, cradle songs, and childhood fairy tales are all transferred to us in our mother tongue. All these memories give a sense of belongingness. One should preserve one’s native language as it is often effective in family communication. 

Mother tongue holds importance in everyone’s life as it facilitates cognitive development and learning foreign languages. This further helps us in our academic and professional journey. 

Also Read: Top 10 Language Learning Websites of 2024: Discover, Learn, and Connect

Sample Essay on Mother Tongue in 200 Words

Mother tongue is the first language that we learn in childhood. It plays a vital role in shaping our worldview. It is a means of communication and a repository of culture, values, and familial bonds. As a child when we speak our first words our parents try to embrace that moment for eternity. 

Also, speaking our native language helps us remain in touch with our traditions, rituals, and familial histories. Thus, it is necessary to preserve our first language and pass it on to future generations. 

In this globalised world, our linguistic diversity is at risk as most schools and universities impart education in English or other global languages. Thus, to safeguard one’s native language, one must try conversing in that language with her/his/their family and friends. Moreover, safeguarding the tongue promotes a sense of pride and belonging. Also, it reinforces the uniqueness of each language’s heritage. 

Thus, our first language defines our beginning and origin. It is just not a mode of communication; instead, it is like a bundle of precious words that helps one to learn and explore more languages. Learning more than one language helps us become a part of an extended society. It is like a treasure that we have been taking care of since childhood. 

Also Read: What are Language Skills?

Sample Essay on Mother Tongue in 300 Words

Mother tongue which is spoken by a person from birth, is significant in shaping one´s identity and cultural connection. It serves as the medium through which one starts to express and understand emotions. Also, it helps shape our fundamental cognitive structures. Thus, one should preserve and embrace one´s mother tongue for learning other languages in the future. 

Mother tongue is a vessel of cultural heritage. It helps in the refinement of traditions and customs. This heritage is carried forward and passed down through generations. As a storage of shared experiences, the mother tongue connects individuals to their roots and encourages a sense of belonging. 

Secondly, proficiency in one´s mother tongue is important for effective communication. One can express thoughts and feelings most authentically. Mastering one´s mother tongue lays the foundation for acquiring additional language skills, and facilitates cross-cultural understanding. One should remember that language is just not a tool for communication but a gateway to comprehending the complex layers of thought and expression. 

Furthermore, mother tongue education also plays a crucial role in academic success. Research indicates that students who receive instruction in their native language, tend to grasp complex concepts more quickly. It gives a deeper understanding of subjects and lays the groundwork for overall development.

In conclusion, the mother tongue is a foundation of cultural identity, effective communication, and academic achievement. Its preservation is not only necessary for linguistic diversity but also for indication of the richness of human experience. 

Also Read: Branches of Linguistics

Ans. For numerous individuals, their native language holds significant value in shaping their identity. It serves as a source of pride and a link to their cultural heritage. Proficiency in one’s mother tongue not only enhances self-awareness but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the rich cultural heritage.

Ans. Mother tongue refers to the initial language acquired in childhood within the household and remains comprehensible to the individual at the point when the data was gathered.

Ans. We should teach the mother tongue to children to help them connect with culture and explore new languages.

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Ankita Singh

Ankita is a history enthusiast with a few years of experience in academic writing. Her love for literature and history helps her curate engaging and informative content for education blog. When not writing, she finds peace in analysing historical and political anectodes.

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Mother Tongue

44 pages • 1 hour read

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Summary and Study Guide

Summary: “mother tongue”.

“Mother Tongue” explores Amy Tan’s relationship with the English language, her mother, and writing. This nonfiction narrative essay was originally given as a talk during the 1989 State of the Language Symposium; it was later published by The Threepenny Review in 1990. Since then, “Mother Tongue” has been anthologized countless times and won notable awards and honors, including being selected for the 1991 edition of Best American Essays .

The original publication of “Mother Tongue,” which this study guide refers to, breaks the essay into three sections. In the first Tan briefly primes the reader on her relationship with “different Englishes” (7). Tan bridges the first and second parts of the essay with descriptions of her “mother’s English,” or her “mother tongue” (7). In the second section Tan describes the impact her mother’s language had on her; Tan’s mother is a Chinese immigrant who often relied on her daughter to produce “perfect English” (7). In the concluding section Tan then connects her mother’s English to Tan’s own choices regarding writing style and career.

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In the initial section of “Mother Tongue,” Amy Tan locates her position as “a writer… someone who has always loved language” (7). She describes the multiple Englishes that she uses, from formal academic language to the English she uses with her mother to the English she uses at home with her husband. The section concludes with Tan’s description of her mother’s “expressive command of English” (7), which is in conflict with her mother’s fluency in the language. Although her mother might speak English that is difficult for native speakers to understand, to Tan, her mother’s language is “vivid, direct, full of observation and imagery” (7).

As Tan moves through the second section of “Mother Tongue,” she describes some of the more difficult aspects of being raised by a parent who spoke English that others struggled to understand. Tan references the oft-used language of “broken” English and suggests that her mother’s English and way of speaking, despite its obvious interpersonal and social limitations (including harming Tan’s performance on such metrics as standardized tests), provided Tan a different semantic way of understanding the world.

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The final section of “Mother Tongue” transitions into personal reflection as Tan describes how she has reckoned with being raised by her mother in a xenophobic society. As a writer, Tan only found success when she moved away from more proper, academic register and instead wrote “in the Englishes [she] grew up with” (8). The essay concludes with Tan’s mother’s opinion about Tan’s most famous novel, The Joy Luck Club , in which Tan attempted to write in this fashion. Her mother’s “verdict: ‘So easy to read’” (8).

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Mother Tongue Essay in 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, & 500 Words

Table of Contents

Mother Tongue Essay in 100 Words

Mother tongue essay.

Mother tongue, also known as a native language, holds immense significance in a person’s life. It is the language in which individuals form their first thoughts, communicate with their parents, and embrace their cultural heritage. This descriptive essay explores the essence of the mother tongue and its impact on one’s identity and communication skills. The melodious tones, unique vocabulary, and rich cultural nuances of a mother tongue create an undeniable emotional connection. It unites individuals with their roots, allowing them to express their true selves. Moreover, mastering one’s mother tongue strengthens communication skills and facilitates a deeper understanding of one’s heritage. The power of the mother tongue lies in its ability to forge connections, preserve traditions, and cultivate a strong sense of identity.

Mother Tongue Essay in 150 Words

Mother tongue.

Mother tongue is a term used to describe a person’s first language, the language they learn from their parents and use to communicate with their family and community. It is a powerful tool that shapes one’s identity and provides a connection to their cultural heritage.

In my case, my mother tongue is English. It is the language I grew up speaking, reading, and writing. I have vivid memories of my mother patiently teaching me how to pronounce words and construct sentences. English has become second nature to me, enabling the effortless expression of my thoughts and emotions.

However, I recognize the importance of mother tongues from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Each language carries a rich history, unique expressions, and cultural nuances. It is through one’s mother tongue that traditions and values are passed down from generation to generation.

Mastering multiple languages can be an incredible asset, allowing individuals to navigate multicultural environments and build bridges between different communities. It is essential that we celebrate and preserve the beauty of mother tongues, as they are a fundamental part of our collective human experience.

Mother Tongue Essay in 200 Words

Mother tongue is the language that a person learns from their mother and uses as their primary means of communication. It is a language that is ingrained in one’s identity and has a deep connection to their cultural heritage.

For many individuals, their mother tongue is the language spoken in their home country. It represents their roots and serves as a reminder of their family’s history. The words and phrases shared in the mother tongue carry a sense of familiarity and comfort, linking people to their cultural community.

Beyond its personal significance, the mother tongue also plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s cognitive development. Language is a tool for thinking, and when children learn their mother tongue, they acquire not only the ability to communicate but also a unique way of perceiving the world.

Despite its importance, the mother tongue can often be overshadowed by dominant languages in education and society. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize and celebrate the richness of various mother tongues, promoting them as valuable assets rather than obstacles to learning.

In conclusion, the mother tongue is more than just a language; it is a representation of one’s cultural heritage, personal identity, and cognitive capabilities. Embracing and preserving mother tongues is essential for fostering diversity and understanding in our globalized world.

Mother Tongue Essay in 300 Words

The term “mother tongue” encompasses the language we acquire naturally from our parents and use to communicate with our family and community. For many of us, it is the first language we learn, shaping both our experiences and identities. Our mother tongue is not merely a mode of communication; it encapsulates our cultural heritage, traditions, and memories.

Being fluent in our mother tongue allows us to effortlessly express our thoughts and emotions. It is the language in which we first learn to articulate ourselves and formulate our ideas. The nuances, idioms, and expressions embedded in our mother tongue provide a deeper level of understanding about our cultural heritage, values, and beliefs.

Moreover, our mother tongue serves as a bridge connecting us with our familial roots. It connects us to our grandparents, parents, and ancestors who passed down their knowledge, wisdom, and stories in this language through generations. Through our mother tongue, we gain a sense of belonging and a stronger connection to our family and community.

Furthermore, our mother tongue enables us to comprehend and appreciate literature, art, and music originating from our culture. It is often in our mother tongue that we find poetry, proverbs, and songs that touch our hearts and resonate with our deepest emotions.

In conclusion, our mother tongue is an integral part of our identity, history, and heritage. It provides a means of communication, a source of cultural understanding, and a connection to our past. Preserving and nurturing our mother tongue is essential, as it keeps our traditions alive and ensures the transmission of knowledge and wisdom from one generation to the next.

Mother Tongue Essay in 400 Words

Mother tongue: a beautiful tapestry of words.

The concept of a mother tongue is, in many ways, like a vibrant tapestry, intricately woven over generations, representing our cultural heritage and identity. It is the language we first learn from our mothers, the language that nurtures our thoughts, and enables us to communicate our deepest emotions. In this descriptive essay, we will explore the power and beauty of the mother tongue, and how it shapes our understanding of the world around us.

A mother tongue is far more than just a means of communication. It is a rich reservoir of history and tradition, encapsulating the essence of a community’s collective experiences. Each language carries within it a unique cultural perspective, offering insights into lifestyle, values, and beliefs. For instance, in Chinese, the mother tongue of my ancestors, the concept of “Ren” emphasizes kindness and compassion, guiding individuals to foster harmonious relationships. Such nuanced cultural nuances are embedded deep within the mother tongue, reflecting the rich tapestry of human experiences.

Furthermore, the mother tongue serves as a conduit for familial bonds and traditions. It connects generations, transferring wisdom and knowledge from one to another. I recall sitting at my grandmother’s feet, listening to her eloquently narrate tales of our family’s history, dreams, and struggles, all in our native language. Through the mother tongue, these stories took on a life of their own, revealing a profound connection to our roots, and cultivating a strong sense of belonging.

Additionally, the mother tongue showcases the linguistic versatility and complexity of our world. Each language has its own rhythm, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions. From the click sounds of the Xhosa language to the melodic cadence of Italian, every tongue weaves a distinct melody. The mother tongue captures the essence of a culture, expressing the joys, sorrows, and peculiarities of life in a way that transcends mere words. It evokes emotions that cannot be completely captured by another language, rendering each personal experience that much more vivid.

However, the mother tongue is not just a relic of the past. In an increasingly globalized world, it evolves and adapts, reflecting the changing times and embracing modern aspects. It assimilates new words, cultural influences, and concepts, forging a transition from traditional to contemporary. This amalgam of old and new breathes life into the language, enabling future generations to carry forward the torch of cultural heritage.

In conclusion, the mother tongue is a treasure trove of emotion, heritage, and identity. It conveys not only words but also the essence of a community’s values and traditions. It binds generations together and provides a unique lens through which to view the world. As individuals, we must recognize the importance of preserving and cherishing our mother tongues, for they are an integral part of our identities and allow us to weave together the colorful tapestry of human existence.

Mother Tongue Essay in 540 Words

Language is a fundamental aspect of human communication, acting as a medium through which we express our thoughts, emotions, ideas, and beliefs. It shapes our perspectives, influences our interactions, and forms the very foundation of our identities. In the grand tapestry of languages spoken across the globe, the concept of “mother tongue” holds a special place. This essay aims to explore the essence of the mother tongue, its significance in our lives, and its impact on our understanding of the world.

The mother tongue, also known as the first language or native language, refers to the language a person acquires naturally from birth or early childhood. It is the language spoken by their parents, family, and community, shaping their early memories and shaping their understanding of reality. For the majority of people, the mother tongue is synonymous with the language of their country or region. However, in multicultural societies, individuals may have multiple mother tongues due to their diverse linguistic backgrounds.

One of the most compelling aspects of the mother tongue lies in its ability to connect us to our roots and cultural heritage. It serves as a vessel that carries the vibrant traditions, customs, and folklore of our ancestors. Through our mother tongue, we gain access to the rich tapestry of our cultural identity, deepening our understanding of our own history and fostering a sense of belonging.

Moreover, proficiency and fluency in one’s mother tongue are instrumental in building strong interpersonal and familial relationships. The mother tongue enables individuals to express their thoughts and emotions with nuanced precision, fostering closer connections with their loved ones. It provides a sense of comfort and familiarity, enabling individuals to communicate freely without fear of misinterpretation or misunderstanding.

Conversely, the loss or neglect of one’s mother tongue can lead to a profound sense of disconnection and an identity crisis. Many individuals living in culturally diverse societies face the challenge of maintaining their mother tongue amidst the pressures to adopt the dominant language. As a consequence, a sense of alienation can arise, as one is unable to fully express their authentic self or connect deeply with their cultural heritage.

Furthermore, the mother tongue intertwines language and thought, shaping our cognitive processes, reasoning capabilities, and decision-making skills. A study by linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf proposed that language influences how we perceive and categorize the world around us. This theory, known as linguistic relativity or the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, suggests that different languages provide unique perspectives on reality, forcing speakers to perceive and conceptualize the world in distinct ways. Thus, the mother tongue not only impacts our personal lives but also molds our collective understanding of the world.

In conclusion, the mother tongue holds immense significance in our lives, serving as the cradle of our cultural identity and shaping our perception of the world. It connects us to our ancestral traditions, strengthens familial bonds, and fosters a sense of belonging. The mother tongue is not just a means of communication; it is a gateway to our roots, enabling us to embrace diversity, preserve our heritage, and forge deeper connections with those around us. Let us celebrate the beauty and power of our mother tongues, for they are the languages of the heart and soul.

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Discussion: amy tan’s “mother tongue”.

Add a comment to this post with your answers to the following questions:

Amy Tan writes, “Recently, I was made keenly aware of the different Englishes I do use.” What are these different Englishes; when, where and how does she use them? What does this piece illustrate about Tan’s responsibility to and feelings about her different communities and the way she moves between these groups?

11 Comments

August 25, 2021 at 8:26 pm

The different Englishes which Tan use could be separated into her work English, home English and business English. The first her work English was demonstrated in her discussion about her book, where she noted the usage of a different kind of descriptive language for her audience. The second her home English mentioned, as she speaks of the intimate way she speaks to her mother and spouse. The third her business English mentioned when she speaks of the phone call she has with her mother’s stockbroker, one that’s more direct and demanding while at the same time seeming ‘educated’ to get the point across to the stockbroker that she is not ‘uneducated’ and able to be scammed, nor does she intend to be scammed. This piece illustrates that there is equal an importance for all forms of her English, while needed at different times, and scenarios.

August 31, 2021 at 10:30 pm

In Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue” I can extract two types of English. Formal English which she uses for her speeches. She has to speak clearly and professionally because her audience is wide, and not everybody could understand her if she would speak in her own way. The second type is informal English that she uses with her mother. Based on Amy’s story about a conversation with her mother broker, I’m assuming that she was close with her during childhood and adolescence. That’s why she switches her English subconsciously in the presence of her mother.

August 31, 2021 at 10:38 pm

In this article called Amy Tan’s mother tongue describes how Amy categorize her English depending on where she’s talking. It relates to what we were discussing last class about the phrase or different types of English we use in our daily life. For example, when Amy is at work she uses her proper English with all those vocabulary words whereas when she is in phone talking to the stockbroker, she is in a very strict voice where she changes her languages because now she is seeking some answers from that guy. On the other hand, where she is home she uses her normal english language or broken because she is with her mother or husband. She uses that types of language because her family members are also used to it just how we all are when we are with our family members. This illustrates how she switches up her language depending on the surrounding. This piece shows us that how it is normal to use all form or types of English because there’s nothing to be embarrassed for. This also shows we should stick to our roots meaning we should not forget our mother tongue neither we should feel ashamed of the way we use the language English.

September 1, 2021 at 12:55 am

The different types of English she uses at home and outside her home. She would use simple, broken, and proper English. This piece illustrates the different ways to speak English and to communicate with different people.

September 1, 2021 at 10:08 am

One English Amy Tan describes is the English her mother used with her which was the “Broken” or “Fractured” English. Amy spoke back to her mother in “simple” English to be understood by her. It didn’t contain the prefect tenses, careful wrought grammatical or conditional phrases that she learned from school which she called “watered down” English. Amy noticed herself using this English when she was giving a speech in front of an audience about her writing and life. When Tan was younger, she had also translated her mother’s limited English into perfect English to be better understood by a stockbroker.

September 1, 2021 at 10:48 am

In the essay “Mother Tongue,’ Amy Tan begins by discussing a few very distinctive types of English. Then, she offers a couple of examples from her speech to illustrate that she used a sophisticated English kind. However, the two styles seem to be a lot more important to her than others. One of those types of English is the one she uses in her everyday professional life, such as when she is giving a speech. The other type of English that Tan discusses is her mother’s version of English, which seems to be a collection of short descriptive phrases without the smaller words to connect the terms. Tan notes that those short, descriptive phrases encouraged her to write fiction in English by showing her how language works to produce an image.

These divisions matter to Tan because each of these “Englishes” uniquely contributes to forming Tan. As a writer, this exposure to all of these “Englishes” has affected her greatly. She no longer focuses on writing to the readers who can understand English perfectly. Instead, Tan’s understanding of the multifaceted “Englishes” present in our nation allows her to get her message across to a larger audience.

Tan is aware that the literary audience will have a higher expectation of her writing. Therefore, she does not write about how her mother would speak (“broken English”). However, throughout her essay, any reader, whether an English scholar or student, would easily understand what Tan is trying to convey through her writing. For example, in her article, Tan states: “Fortunately, for reasons I won’t get into today, I later decided I should envision a reader for the stories I would write.

September 1, 2021 at 10:58 am

When she writes “different Englishes,” Amy Tan is referring to the word choice and sentence structures she uses with different audiences. When she is with her mother, Amy uses her “simple” English, to make sure every word is understood, without losing any meaning. When she is giving a speech, she uses “proper” English to impress her peers in academia. As a writer, Amy Tan feels a responsibility to give all the Englishes their due. She is convinced that each of them has a place in literature, and that there is no such thing as “broken” English.

September 1, 2021 at 3:23 pm

The different English used would be her business way of speaking and her comfortable way of speaking. When speaking to people who are strangers or your colleagues the way she spoke was very proper and correct. The way she spoke to people and family that she was comfortable with was more laid back and free. She believes that all the ways to speak English are important in their own way, and serves a purpose.

September 1, 2021 at 5:50 pm

Amy Tan discusses few Englishes in the passage, specifically, the type of English she uses in her professional life, the English she uses in her personal when she speaks to her mother and husband, and the English she uses when addressing someone over there phone regarding her mother when she was talking to her mother’s appointment representative. Due to these different Englishes Tan has been exposed to, it gives her the advantage to reach a more diverse audience when she speaks because just as she can speak to her mother as a mothers tongue, she can also relate to the professional field with her sound vocabulary.

September 1, 2021 at 6:14 pm

Amy Tan uses two types of English a formal type in which she uses less broken English and a lot more proper words and she used this when talking to stranger or people who have an established business relationship with her and she has an informal English which is a lot more lax and uses her broken English a lot more she uses it when talking to her mother or husband or people who she is comfortable around. This pieces illustrates Tan’s understanding of how she is perceived and how well people understand her when she is using these different types of English. She also knows that each of these types of English are just as important as their counterparts and may be key parts of life for others like her.

September 10, 2021 at 11:55 pm

Writer Amy Tan acknowledges that she changes her tone and attitude while speaking English when she’s communicating with her mother versus everyone else. She doesn’t like to refer to her mother’s English as broken English. She believes that her mother’s English is perfectly fine. She speaks differently to people at offices, banks, etc. She does that subconsciously. Despite Tan’s disapproval of her community growing up, she has come to terms with them.

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Importance of mother tongue as the medium of education & New Education Policy, 2020

Mother tongue is the language that a person has grown up speaking from his/her early childhood. It is a person’s native language. It is therefore the medium of communication that a person is most familiar with. This familiarity can be used for providing education, though this is not what happens. What we see all around the world is the use of either a major commercial language or a colonial language as the medium of instruction in schools. This has been seen in India also with the share of English as a school language increasing continuously. The students in India therefore have remained aloof from the benefits that come with being educated in their mother tongue. This though now has been taken care of with the help of National Education Policy, 2020

What National Education Policy did and What has it done to the medium of instruction?

The government of India introduced the National Education Policy, 2020 last year. It is the biggest reform in the field of education since the National Education Policy, 1986. The National Education Policy, 2020 tries to bring changes in many areas in education and one of them is the medium of instruction in which education will be provided in primary schools. This policy states that the mother tongue will be the medium of instruction up to class 5 in all schools.

What are the benefits of providing education in the mother tongue?

1. First and foremost it should be noted that a child understands his mother tongue and hence if he/she is instructed in that language itself, his transition to school education is smooth and easy. If a student is made to learn in a foreign language, he/she will not only have to learn to read and write in that language but also learn that language itself, this approach burdens students with learning two incredibly complex concepts at the same time thus resulting in a much slower rate of learning. Even UNESCO has recommended that classes be taught in the community’s mother tongue during the early years of primary school so that students can fully learn to read and write, and during this time they also are introduced to early mathematical concepts and other academic subjects. Even research by Yared Seid which was done by him in Ethiopia and published in Economics of Education Review showed that when children were taught in their primary schools with their mother tongue as the medium of instruction, it did improve their education outcome.

2. A research by Rajathurai Nishanti from Bharathidasan University shows that the mother tongue is vital in framing the thinking and emotions of people. Education is it, therefore, causes the comprehensive development of a child. Learning in ones’ own language will help the student express himself/herself better. This will thus make school learning two ways communication between teacher and students. Understanding the subject matter would boost the confidence of the student and propel him/her to continue with his/her schooling thus lowering the drop-out rate.

3. Educating children in their mother tongue will also build a strong home-school partnership in their learning. Parents will be able to participate in their child’s education and make the experience of learning for the students more wholesome.

4. It will also benefit the primary school teachers as many of them find it difficult to express themselves in English and hence are not able to transfer as much knowledge as they would like to, thus creating a knowledge deficit.

5. Providing primary education in mother tongue will also decentralize the task of textbook making which has been long recommended by Dr Yashpal Sharma. This will bring the content in textbooks closer to children and make them understand the syllabus better. Thus targeting mechanical learning.

6. Learning in a foreign language also brings a sense of alienation from ones’ own culture and heritage. Education in mother tongue will help the students in getting a better sense of their cultural background. And therefore helps him/her progress in life his/her roots intact. In conclusion therefore I would like to say that providing primary education in the mother tongue as now mandated in the National Education Policy, 2020, is the step in the right direction and if implemented in true spirit will enhance the learning capabilities of the students and making education a wholesome experience while in the way also resolving the issue of school drop-outs.

very good policy

good content

it\'s a good thought well done ð

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Mother Tongue

Ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on Amy Tan's Mother Tongue . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Mother Tongue: Introduction

Mother tongue: plot summary, mother tongue: detailed summary & analysis, mother tongue: themes, mother tongue: quotes, mother tongue: characters, mother tongue: terms, mother tongue: symbols, mother tongue: theme wheel, brief biography of amy tan.

Historical Context of Mother Tongue

Other books related to mother tongue.

• Full Title: Mother Tongue
• When Written: 1989
• When Published: 1990
• Literary Period: Contemporary
• Genre: Essay, Memoir
• Setting: Oakland, California; San Francisco, California; New York City, New York
• Climax: Tan’s mother attends one of her talks about The Joy Luck Club .
• Antagonist: Societal ignorance and bias
• Point of View: First Person

Extra Credit for Mother Tongue

Sagwa. Tan’s 1994 children’s book, The Chinese Siamese Cat , was adapted for television and broadcast by PBS as “Sagwa The Chinese Siamese Cat.” First aired in 2001, the series follows Sagwa, the protagonist kitten, on her adventures as a palace cat in historic China.

Music. Tan’s talents aren’t limited to pen and paper. A member of the band “Rock Bottom Remainders” since 1993, Tan has performed with fellow authors Stephen King, Dave Barry, and Scott Turow.

Language Unlimited

The Power of Mother Tongue: Its Impact on Language Learning and Understanding.

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The ‘Last Lesson’ by Alphonse Daudet is mainly about the longing to learn the mother tongue and love for it. It has a sense of patriotism. 

In the ‘Last Lesson’ the Prussians rejected the freedom of the people of  Lorraine and Alsace to learn their own mother tongue and started forcing German onto them.  The colonizers took away the basic rights of the people. When the students could not learn their own language, they sensed a feeling of being restricted and being forced to not do something that they enjoy doing and find their solace in. The practice of linguistic chauvinism is highlighted in this story to draw our attention. It throws light upon the pride one owns in their mother tongue and considering other languages not equally worthy.

People of Lorraine and Alsace were the victims of linguistic chauvinism They were forced to learn German. Franz, a school student who was always reluctant in his French class and never took it seriously, saw how important it was to learn his mother tongue.  This quality of people displays that humans respect things more when they see it going. Also, the parents preferred to see their children working well rather than learning French.

In the later years they realised how much they missed learning French and felt sorry about it. How Prussians drilled their land is shown by how unfairly they were treated in their own motherland.

Summary of the Chapter

The narrator was late for school in the morning. He was a little scared for his French class as he never really cared about it and made efforts to learn it. Therefore, he felt uneasy that the teacher might ask questions regarding the same. He spent a little time contemplating whether he should just call it a day and go on to enjoy the rest of his day. Since he did not prepare anything, he wanted to skip school but still decided to attend it. On the way to school, even the most trivial seemed so interesting to him. 

The narrator saw that there was a huge crowd in front of the bulletin board in the town hall. That bulletin board was the harbinger of the bad news for the last two years. All the information on lost wars and other depressing news was put there. He just skipped past it as he did not feel like listening to anything sad.

The narrator notices that the school was disturbingly silent as compared to the general state of the school when it starts. Generally one could hear the recitation of the lessons and hustle-bustle of students in the school. 

In fact, he was pretty accustomed to hiding in the noise and reaching his desk without getting noticed. But now he went in before everybody. He was quite afraid of the French class and sitting there, before everyone made him uncomfortable.

M. Hamel, who was strict with the narrator in the past, asked him to sit down politely. Franz was confused as M. Hamel was in his special set of informal clothes that he wore on only prize days and inspection days. It was a pretty green dress, complete with a beautiful black embroidered cap. The atmosphere was extremely sad and silent. The most astonishing thing was that the village elders were also sitting on the backbenches of the class. These benches were usually left empty.

M. Hamel quietly sat on his chair and spoke in a gentle and grave tone, “My children, this is the last lesson I shall give you.” He informed everyone that an order had been released from Berlin. German is the only language that would be taught in the schools of Alsace and Lorraine. 

His last lesson in the school and the German teacher will join the school from the next day. This made the narrator sad, even though he never really liked M. Hamel because all he could think of was his ruler and him tapping the ruler aggressively on the tables and forcing students to do his personal tasks for him, such as putting Franz to work by telling him to tend to his garden. He started regretting all the times he wished he did not have to learn French or just decided to slack off and carry on his ordinary chores like collecting eggs or chasing birds. He thinks of all the time he could have spent learning and reading his mother tongue.

The narrator felt guilty and ashamed for not trying to learn his lessons in French. He never liked his books. He had no interest in studies. He didn’t like his Grammar and History books. But now he was fascinated by them. He started to like M. Hamel. The thought that he will not teach him from tomorrow made him forget about all his rulers.

The village elders, including the former mayor, Mr Hauser and the former postman, also looked very sad about the class. They seemed to be very interested and spent a good amount of time focusing on the lesson. It was clear that they regretted their past actions and wished they had gained more knowledge when they had the chance.

He forgot how crazy his teacher was. It was his turn to repeat the lesson. He wanted to read out the lesson and explain the participles nice and loud but he got confused and mixed up. Usually, this type of mistake would have made M. Hamel angry but surprisingly this time he did not even care to notice it.

This made M. Hamel think about how people usually just put off learning to the next day or the days in the future but now that the last day has come, there is not much that can be done. M. Hamel spoke about his concern on how all the French people think of education and learning their language as a secondary thing after earning money by working at a mill, etc. He accuses himself of doing the same thing as well.

M.Hamel then changed the topic to talk about the French language itself. It was the beauty of the language that took over him because his speech was better than ever and brought everyone in the room to tears, including the former Mayor and the elders. He spoke about the beauty and ease of the language itself and continued to a lesson in Grammar.

How did Franz’s Feelings About M. Hamel and School change?

Franz usually never paid attention in class and was scolded by the teachers because of it. But something about the last lesson by M. Hamel made him want to listen. He paid attention to the class like never before and realised how easy the language seemed to be. He was listening with so much intent, and M. Hamel was putting in an equal effort because the narrator had never seen him explain anything with such great patience.

This was followed by a writing activity, which was followed meticulously by every single person, so much so that the only sound to be heard was the sound of pens against the paper. Franz had never witnessed such a class in his entire time at school and was moved by it.

The narrator noticed the teacher looking at every object in the classroom with so much focus, and he thought to himself that M.Hamel was memorising everything in his tiny classroom, the gardens, all of it. After forty years of work, he thought about how hard it would be to move out of a place and felt sad for the poor man.

The next lesson was in history, during which the former mayor was listening to the class wearing glasses, moved so much that he was crying. The narrator found this funny and thought of how memorable this last lesson turned out to be.

Finally, M.Hamel wanted to say something to the class after the clock had struck. However, he choked on his words and wrote boldly on the board “Viva la France”.

Why did M Hamel write ‘Vive La France!‘ on the Blackboard?

He wrote it as a sign of opposition to imposing the teaching of German in the schools of Alsace instead of French. It was a portrayal of his love for French and French culture.

The people of Alsace did not give any importance to the language French from the very beginning of the story, however, unlike others M.Hamel showed his concern. People of Alsace ignored learning their own native language and paid no heed . It was not the case only with Franz but many others were also guilty of not learning French. According to the narrator, the French language was the most beautiful language in the world and therefore, it should be respected and acknowledged by everyone.

FAQs on The Last Lesson Summary

1. Why Did Franz Did Not Want to Go to a School That Day?

Franz did not want to go to a school that day as he had not prepared his lesson on participles. His French teacher would certainly scold him for this. So, Franz wanted to avoid going to school.

2. Why Did M Hamel Write ‘Vive La France!‘ on the Backboard?

M Hamel wrote ‘Vive La France!‘ on the backboard to display his love for his culture as well as for the French language. Also by mentioning “Vive la France” he showed his rebellion to the German forces on his last day. 

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Why mother tongue education holds the key to unlocking every child's potential, the transformative role of learning in children’s native language..

Imagine a world where the first words you learn aren't just sounds, but keys unlocking understanding, confidence, and a boundless love for learning. This is the promise of mother tongue education, often met with skepticism due to the misconception that it's not "aspirational" enough. But is this truly the case? Let's delve deeper and discover why embracing a child's mother tongue in education holds immense potential, weaving together threads of cultural pride, cognitive development, and a future brimming with possibilities.

For many children, especially in tribal areas, classrooms and language of instruction feel foreign, creating an invisible wall between them and knowledge. Studies reveal the emotional toll, with children struggling, losing confidence, and their inherent curiosity fading. This is where the power of mother tongue education shines. When a child learns in their familiar language, the world opens up. Concepts transform from abstract notions into relatable experiences, igniting a spark of understanding and a sense of "I can do this!"

The belief that mother tongue education lacks ambition stems from equating global success with a single dominant language. This overlooks the power and beauty of multilingualism, and the profound impact on a child's cognitive and emotional development.

A Bridge to Understanding:

When children learn in mother tongue, they navigate knowledge with confidence and ease. Concepts become clearer, ideas flow freely, and the joy of discovery amplifies. Imagine a tribal child understanding math through their own language, promoting a sense of belonging and active participation.

Building a Strong Foundation:

Studies have consistently shown that children who receive education in their mother tongue develop stronger cognitive skills, particularly in critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. This solid foundation lays the groundwork for future academic success, allowing them to not only grasp complex subjects but also excel in other languages they may encounter later.

Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem:

Beyond academic benefits, mother tongue education fosters a sense of self-worth and cultural identity. When a child expresses themselves confidently in their native language, they radiate self-assurance and a deep connection to their heritage. This intrinsic motivation fuels their desire to learn, propelling them forward on their educational journey.

Embracing Diversity:

India's linguistic landscape, with over 22 official languages and countless dialects, is rich and diverse. Embracing this diversity through mother tongue education celebrates each language's cultural heritage, creating an equitable and inclusive system that values all children's unique identities.

Challenges and Opportunities:

Implementing mother tongue education effectively requires a concerted effort. The sheer number of languages spoken in India necessitates careful planning, resource allocation, and teacher training. Additionally, addressing the misconception that fluency in a dominant language is essential for success requires a shift in mindset, both within the educational system and society at large.

However, these challenges are not impossible. The National Education Policy 2020 and initiatives like UNICEF's Multilingual Education programs offer a clear path forward. Already, we see success stories unfolding: Children in Chhattisgarh are thriving, their confidence soaring as they learn in their native Halbi language. In Jharkhand, five tribal languages are being used to weave magic, bridging hearts and minds through stories and songs. Rajasthan is mapping its linguistic landscape, paving the way for a brighter future with Multilingual Education. These examples showcase the empowering potential of mother tongue education. By working together with communities, stakeholders, and technology, we can unlock this potential and transform the lives of millions of children.

The Future is Multilingual:

Imagine a future where every child, regardless of their background, can access quality education in their mother tongue. A future where classrooms resonate with the diverse melodies of India's languages, fostering a love for learning and a celebration of cultural richness. This is the future we can create by embracing mother tongue education, not as a limitation, but as a powerful tool to empower children, unlock their potential, and build a brighter future for all.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Mother Tongue — Amy Tan’s “Mother Tongue”: Embracing Linguistic Diversity

Amy Tan's "Mother Tongue": Embracing Linguistic Diversity

• Categories: Mother Tongue

About this sample

Words: 717 |

Published: Jan 30, 2024

Words: 717 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Background information, linguistic dominance as a power dynamic, personal identity and linguistic dominance, language and relationships, the importance of linguistic diversity, references:.

• Tan, A. (1990). Mother tongue. The Threepenny Review, (43), 14-20.
• Cenoz, J., & Genesee, F. (2015). The Cambridge Handbook of Multilingualism. Cambridge University Press.
• Heath, S. B. (1983). Ways with words: Language, life and work in communities and classrooms. Cambridge University Press.

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The Benefits of Using Mother Tongue Language in Classroom

Written by Shiksha Press

Published on: May 16, 2023

Unlocking the Benefits: Incorporating Mother Tongue in the Classroom for Enhanced Learning

Embracing Linguistic Diversity: Harnessing the Power of Mother Tongue

Table of Contents

Importance of Mother Tongue Language Learning

In a progressive move towards inclusive education, educators worldwide are recognizing the invaluable benefits of incorporating students’ mother tongue language in the classroom.

Breaking away from the conventional approach of strictly using a dominant language, this paradigm shift aims to create a learning environment that celebrates linguistic diversity and enhances the educational experience for students.

Supporting Cultural Identity and Sense of Belonging

Preserving Heritage: Upholding Cultural Identity Through Mother Tongue

One of the primary advantages of utilizing Mother Tongue or Mother language in the classroom is the preservation of students’ cultural identity. Language serves as a carrier of culture, and by embracing and encouraging the use of mother tongue, schools honor the diverse backgrounds of their students.

This approach fosters a sense of belonging, instilling pride in students for their linguistic and cultural heritage.

Enhanced Cognitive Development and Learning

Cognitive Boost: Unleashing the Potential of Mother Tongue in Learning

Research has shown that using mother tongue language as a medium of instruction can significantly enhance cognitive development and learning outcomes.

When students comprehend and express themselves in their native language, it facilitates a deeper understanding of concepts, improved critical thinking skills , and enhanced communication abilities.

This results in greater academic achievement and a higher level of engagement in the learning process.

Smooth Transition to Additional Languages

Building Bridges: Facilitating Language Acquisition Through Mother Tongue

Integrating mother tongue in the classroom aids students in transitioning to additional languages more effectively. By establishing a strong foundation in their first language , students acquire language skills that can be transferred to other languages, including second or foreign languages.

This seamless transition not only accelerates language acquisition but also promotes multilingualism, a vital skill in our globalized world.

Stronger Parental Involvement and Support

Empowering Connections: Strengthening Parental Engagement Through Mother Tongue

When schools incorporate mother tongue in the classroom , it strengthens the connection between educators and parents. By acknowledging and valuing the language spoken at home, schools foster a collaborative partnership with parents.

This creates an inclusive environment where parents feel more comfortable engaging in their child’s education, leading to improved support and involvement in their academic journey.

Promoting Social and Emotional Well-being

Emotional Connection: Nurturing Social and Emotional Well-being with Mother Tongue

Using mother tongue in the classroom nurtures students’ social and emotional well-being. It provides a safe space for expression, allowing students to articulate their thoughts and emotions more freely.

By promoting open dialogue and understanding, students develop stronger relationships with peers and teachers, fostering a positive classroom climate that encourages holistic growth.

Embracing the Future: Empowering Students Through Mother Tongue

A Path to Empowerment: Embracing the Potential of Mother Tongue in Education

As educators strive to create an inclusive and empowering educational landscape, the integration of Mother tongue in the classroom emerges as a powerful tool.

By embracing linguistic diversity , schools celebrate cultural heritage, enhance cognitive development, facilitate language acquisition, strengthen parental involvement, and promote social and emotional well-being.

This forward-thinking approach not only empowers students but also nurtures a generation that is proud of their roots and equipped to thrive in a multicultural world.

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Significance of Mother Tongue

Significance of Mother Tongue – The term “Mother Tongue” is the home language of a nation and it reflects the culture and identity of that particular nation. A parent language from which another language is descended is called mother tongue. Mother tongue and first language have no such significant differences as both refer to a person’s native language.

It refers to the language a baby learns from birth is called the birth language, and therefore plays crucial role in our lives for various reasons.

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As the name suggest, a language is seen as coming from your primary caregiver, the person who looked after you most when you were young, and traditionally this was mothers. So, this is perhaps the point of origin, the starting place, of the metaphorical phrase, mother tongue. Mother tongue is the language that a child gets to hear after birth and helps give a definite shape to our feeling and thoughts. Learning in the mother tongue is also crucial for improving other critical thinking skills, second language learning, and literacy skills. Mother tongue is considered to be the most valuable and important aspect of human life, due to several reasons. It is vital in framing the thinking and emotions of people. For a child, learning to speak in the mother tongue is very necessary for it’s comprehensive development. Being fluent in their mother tongue, we can also call it the native language, benefits the child in numerous ways. It provides the child with a sense of belonging and helps him in understanding his roots. It also associates the child to his culture, ensures enhanced cognitive development, and supports in the learning process of different languages.

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How knowledge of Mother Tongue can help in individual’s growth and development

Intellectual Development Studies have shown that cognitive development and intellectual development are comparatively faster in fluent in their mother tongue. The educational success of a student who is taught in mother tongue is higher than someone who is taught in a language other than their mother tongue.

Connecting people with their culture Languages are the primary means of keeping our culture alive. Often, the direct translation of one language into another cannot convey the same essence as in the source language. Therefore, the best way to know a culture thoroughly is to understand the language. The mother tongue helps us stay connected to our traditional, cultural values and our roots.

In learning a second language When a person knows his or her mother language well, it is easier for them to learn a new language. If a child reads in his or her mother tongue from an early age, they will have more substantial reading and writing skills in other languages. Commercial advantages Businesses are going the local way, so the importance of mother tongues has increased exponentially. It is beneficial to know your mother tongue to communicate with your local customers if you want to become an entrepreneur. The possibilities of making money with the help of one’s mother language are enormous in today’s economy. Providing quality education A child first comprehends what is around them through the language they hear their mother communicating in, from before they are born and thought their lives. Many children across the developing world are learning very little in school, a reality that can be linked to teaching that is in a language they do not fully understand. It is a practice that leads to limited or non-existent learning and acquisition of knowledge and skills, alienating experiences, and high drop-out and repetition rates. To improve the quality of education, languages policies need to take account of mother-tongue learning. Models of education which ignore the mother tongue in the early years can be unproductive, ineffective and have a negative effect on children’s learning. Mother-tongue education at least in early years can enable teachers to teach, and learners to learn more effectively.

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