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mother tongue vs the mother tongue

Both 'mother tongue' and 'the mother tongue' are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Mother tongue' is more commonly used to refer to the language that a person learns from birth or that they grow up speaking. On the other hand, 'the mother tongue' is often used in a more formal or academic context to refer to the native language of a particular group or region.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 554 views

mother tongue

This phrase is correct and commonly used to refer to the language that a person learns from birth or that they grow up speaking.

This phrase is used to describe the first language that a person learns and typically uses at home or in their community.

Examples:

  • English is not my mother tongue.
  • She is fluent in her mother tongue, which is Spanish.
  • Many people feel most comfortable expressing themselves in their mother tongue.
  • Learning a second language can be challenging when your mother tongue is very different.
  • It's important to preserve and promote the use of indigenous mother tongues.
  • May 5, 2023 ... The meaning of MOTHER TONGUE is one's native language. How to use mother tongue in a sentence.
  • A first language (L1), native language, native tongue, or mother tongue is the first language or dialect that a person has been exposed to from birth or ...
  • May 31, 2023 ... mother tongue definition: 1. the first language that you learn when you are a baby, rather than a language learned at school…. Learn more.

Alternatives:

  • native language
  • first language
  • home language
  • primary language
  • dominant language

the mother tongue

This phrase is correct and often used in a more formal or academic context to refer to the native language of a particular group or region.

This phrase is typically used in academic or formal discussions to refer to the native language of a specific group or region.

Examples:

  • In this course, we will explore the development of the mother tongue in different cultures.
  • The preservation of the mother tongue is an important aspect of cultural heritage.
  • The study focused on the evolution of the mother tongue in the region.
  • Understanding the history of the mother tongue can provide insights into the culture of a community.
  • The author's research delves into the origins of the mother tongue.
  • I trust that the European Commission will strengthen the teaching of the mother tongue of migrant workers.
  • At the same time it is necessary to emphasise the significance of the mother tongue as a means for gaining a suitable education and professional qualifications.
  • Therefore, it is unacceptable that in schools for indigenous national minorities, instruction in a language other than the mother tongue should be introduced from the first and second years, something which was recently decided by the Lithuanian Parliament.
  • National school systems should be ready to offer education in the mother tongue to native national minorities in all levels, while migrant children should be offered lessons in their respective mother tongue.
  • Create the conditions necessary for at least two of the national languages of the Member States of the Union to be taught at secondary school level, in addition to the mother tongue.
  • As you all know, the Board of Governors of the European Schools ruled last year that a minimum of seven pupils of the same language was needed in order for a subject to be taught in the mother tongue.
  • A series of actions were brought against Egitim Sen on the grounds that it believes that education in the mother tongue (therefore including in Kurdish) must be possible in Turkey.
  • It also notes that the Member States do not exploit the capital offered by the mother tongue of migrant workers in the European Union, even where that language is one of the recognised official languages.
  • Does the Commission have any statistics on the efforts made to date to promote teaching of the mother tongue for European migrant workers in EU Member States and on funding for such measures?
  • Does the Commission regard this refusal to provide teaching in Kurdish, the mother tongue of millions of Turkish citizens, as consistent with the Copenhagen criteria?
  • Do the actions planned as part of the lifelong learning programme include measures to teach and boost the learning of the mother tongue for Europeans living in another EU Member State?
  • Legislation such as the anti-minority education decrees will be appearing very shortly, and this, along with closures of schools that teach in the mother tongue, language death and assimilation, is generating huge anger in Ukraine.
  • In some Member States the mother tongue may be one of several official languages.
  • Communication in the mother tongue requires an individual to have knowledge of vocabulary, functional grammar and the functions of language.
  • We would all be interested to know how the educational systems achieve competence in two modern languages in addition to the mother tongue.
  • The Committee of the Regions agrees that it is necessary to be able to communicate in the mother tongue, both orally and in writing.
  • A good knowledge of and proficiency in the mother tongue are thus fundamental to the learning process.
  • As repeatedly pointed out by UNESCO, teaching in the mother tongue is a major factor in ensuring high quality education.
  • Mastery of the mother tongue is a prerequisite for creative expression in other languages.
  • We take due note of the reservations expressed in Mrs Hermange's report regarding the objective of fluency in two Community languages in addition to the mother tongue.

Alternatives:

  • native language
  • indigenous language
  • first language
  • primary language
  • dominant language

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