Mother tongue Meaning and Definition
Mother tongue
Pronunciation
/ˈmʌðər ˈtʌŋ/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The language a person learns first and usually speaks most fluently, often the main language spoken at home in childhood.
Examples
- My mother tongue is English, but I also speak Spanish fluently.
- What is your mother tongue?
Synonyms
- Father tongue
- Native language
Antonyms
- Foreign language
- Acquired language
Etymology
The term “mother tongue” comes from Old English “mōder” meaning “mother” and “tunge” meaning “tongue” or “language”.
Usage Notes
The term “mother tongue” is often used to refer to a person’s native language, which is the language they learn first and usually speak most fluently.
Cultural References
The concept of a mother tongue is central to many cultures and is often linked to identity and community.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Mother tongue is the soil in which a language grows
Related Words or Phrases
- Native language
- First language
Collocations
- First language
- Native language
- Mother tongue
Frequency of Use
The term “mother tongue” is commonly used in language learning and teaching, as well as in discussions about language and identity.
Common Misspellings
Mother toung, Mother tounge, Muter Tongue