Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
mother-tongue
noun
/ˈmʌðər tʌŋ/
Definition
The first language that a person learns from birth or within the critical stages of childhood.
Examples
- In many countries, children are encouraged to learn their mother-tongue alongside other languages.
- She spoke in her mother-tongue, which was unfamiliar to many of her classmates.
- Understanding one’s mother-tongue can foster a deeper connection to one’s culture.
Meaning
Mother-tongue refers to the native language of a person, which is typically learned from their parents and is used in their home and everyday life.
Synonyms
- native language
- first language
- vernacular
