Mirella Pandjaitan
Feb 20, 2026
English, Chinese, Arabic, French, Russian, and Spanish are considered the six main languages globally recognised and spoken. English, for instance, reigns supreme in conversation, education, and commerce. What about the gentle rhythm of our mother tongue, though? It regrettably risks slipping quietly into the background in today’s globalised world.
The “mother tongue” (also known as the birth language) retains a profound and enduring significance that’s far more than a means of communication. It’s the first language we hear; the intimate sounds that cradle us from birth, our native or birth language. Consider it as the very fabric of our identity, the lens through which we perceive the world, and the vessel that carries the subtle shades of emotion, thought, and memory across a lifetime.
To know one’s mother tongue is to know oneself in the deepest sense. I came to a point in my life where my own mother tongue, Bahasa Indonesia, escaped me. Growing up, English, Mandarin, and Malay were compulsory due to my constant relocation from one country to another. I remember being in rigid tears from learning vocabulary and pronunciation of those foreign languages - then eventually, completely forgetting the basics of Indonesian for everyday conversation in my early adult years.
Little did I know, up until now, that the mother tongue shapes the contours of imagination, nurtures the soul’s connection to culture, and equips a foundation upon which all further learning and expression is built.
A view on the mother tongue
The first person who crossed my mind was my own brother, Rozzy. We’re nine years apart; thus, I figured he would have navigated our mother tongue distinctively. Rozzy is part of the select few talented in picking up foreign words. “I’m proficient in Indonesian, Javanese, and English out of necessity; somewhat alright in French due to attending a French elementary school; and I’m learning Japanese and Korean for fun from my gaming hobby,” he shared.
Rozzy agrees that the Indonesian language is his mother tongue, as it’s the first language that he’s accustomed to. “My family doesn’t really instil the mother tongue. Everybody speaks in whatever way they want, be it Javanese, Indonesian, or English,” he explained. And somehow, everybody understands. Even if one of us becomes clueless, simply asking “what is (blank)” isn’t taboo.
This self-proclaimed gamer had endured multiple points in his life etched in overlooking his mother tongue. “You could say I think in mixed languages, depending on whatever comes to mind and can formulate what I need at the moment,” he notioned. Yet, Rozzy disagrees that preserving one's mother tongue carries significance. “This is old-fashioned thinking. I believe in results, and whatever method is used to get that result is fine by me.”
The importance of the mother tongue
Countless compelling reasons to embrace and master one’s mother tongue exist. According to UNESCO, evidence shows that instruction in a child’s native language is not merely beneficial—it’s essential.
Since the mother tongue envelops a newborn in the comforting cadence of familiarity, many are unaware that this connection begins even before birth. By six or seven months into pregnancy, a child in the womb can recognise and respond to their mother’s voice, a profound early encounter that lays the groundwork for emotional attachment. Being heard in these earliest stages also plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s inner world, helping them articulate feelings, thoughts, and imagination.
Let us examine why a strong command of the mother tongue is truly indispensable:
1. A richer connection to culture
Languages carry the soul of culture. Direct translations rarely capture the full nuance, emotion, or tradition embedded in the original tongue. By mastering their mother language, individuals remain deeply connected to ancestral heritage, cultural values, and the roots that shape their identity.
2. Easier acquisition of additional languages
A solid grasp of one’s first language enhances the ability to learn others. Children who read and write confidently in their mother tongue develop stronger literacy skills across languages, gaining a natural advantage in multilingual communication.
3. Emotional growth enhancement
Beyond its practical benefits, the mother tongue nurtures identity, fosters belonging, and strengthens bonds with family and community. Studies further reveal that bilingual individuals casually relish in heightened cognitive abilities, underscoring the profound benefits of maintaining a firm connection to one’s first language.
4. Intellectual growth
Fluency in one’s native language accelerates cognitive and intellectual development. UNESCO has long championed the transformative power of multilingual education, emphasising the central role of the mother tongue from the very first years of schooling. It enhances inclusivity, strengthens comprehension, and significantly elevates academic performance, particularly in the formative years of primary education, where foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills are first cultivated.
5. Personal honour and identity
Mastering one’s mother tongue is an act of self-respect. It fosters confidence, nurtures self-awareness, and reinforces a profound connection to cultural identity, providing a sense of pride and belonging that endures throughout life.
6. Professional and commercial advantages
In today’s economy, where businesses increasingly cater to local markets, fluency in one’s mother tongue is more valuable than ever. The ability to communicate authentically with local communities can open doors to opportunities and economic growth. A strong command of one’s mother tongue also smooths the path to mastering additional languages. Children who read and write confidently in their first language develop stronger literacy and communication skills in others.
Ultimately, the mother tongue is far more than a means of speech—it is the foundation of thought, culture, and identity, a timeless gift that shapes how we see ourselves and the world around us. Every mother tongue carries with it a legacy, and teaching in that language ensures its preservation for future generations. Rozzy suggested that the preservation of one’s mother tongue can be achieved through joining government-based jobs, as it is required to communicate in the generic local language.
The promise of mother-tongue education remains unevenly realised. Across much of the world, people communicate in languages foreign to their first, a practice that can hinder comprehension, widen knowledge gaps, and limit the full potential of executing tasks at school and in the workplace.
“It’s nice to have a mother tongue, but whatever helps you communicate effectively throughout the day is more important,” he underlined.
Despite navigating a global society dominated by the six main languages, our first remains a quiet, indispensable compass—guiding how we relate to others, interpret our experiences, and remain rooted in the heritage that defines us. How do you view your mother tongue?
