mother language: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumFormal, sometimes academic; less common than "native language" or "first language" in general use.
Quick answer
What does “mother language” mean?
The first language a person learns from infancy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The first language a person learns from infancy; native language.
A language that is the linguistic ancestor of other languages within a language family; a source or origin language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties. 'Mother tongue' is more common than 'mother language' in both.
Connotations
Slightly more formal, with a potential academic or sentimental nuance. Can evoke a sense of heritage, culture, and primary identity.
Frequency
"Mother tongue" is significantly more frequent than "mother language" in both corpora. "First language" (L1) is the most neutral and common term in modern linguistics and education.
Grammar
How to Use “mother language” in a Sentence
His mother language is Gujarati.They are working to document their mother language.English is considered the mother language of several global varieties.She learned it as her mother language.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mother language” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The mother-language influence was evident in her accent.
- They conducted a mother-language survey in the community.
American English
- The mother-language survey revealed diverse linguistic backgrounds.
- He studies mother-language acquisition in infants.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in diversity & inclusion policies regarding language support.
Academic
Common in linguistics, sociolinguistics, and language policy discussions, though 'first language' or 'L1' is more precise.
Everyday
Understood but less frequent. People are more likely to ask, 'What's your first language?'
Technical
Used in historical/comparative linguistics to mean 'proto-language' (e.g., Proto-Indo-European).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mother language”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mother language”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mother language”
- Using 'mother language' when 'mother tongue' or 'first language' is more idiomatic (e.g., 'My mother language is Spanish' is correct but less natural).
- Confusing 'mother language' (first language) with 'official language' or 'national language'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are synonyms. 'Mother tongue' is more common in everyday English, while 'mother language' can sound slightly more formal or academic.
They are often used interchangeably. However, 'first language' (L1) is a more neutral, technical term used in linguistics and education, whereas 'mother language' can carry more cultural or emotional weight.
Yes, if a child acquires two languages simultaneously from birth, they can be said to have two mother languages or native languages.
Yes, but it is less frequent than 'native language' or 'first language'. The usage patterns and connotations are very similar to British English.
The first language a person learns from infancy.
Mother language is usually formal, sometimes academic; less common than "native language" or "first language" in general use. in register.
Mother language: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌðə ˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌðɚ ˌlæŋɡwɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The language of one's cradle”
- “Speak the language of one's heart”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Just as a MOTHER is the source of a family, a MOTHER LANGUAGE is the source of your speech and the 'parent' of related languages.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A FAMILY (with mother, daughter, and sister languages); LANGUAGE IS HERITAGE (something passed down and owned).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'mother language' LEAST likely to be used?