Role of mother tongue in education

By: Simran Bawa

The rhythm of my body is the same as my mother tongue. It is in this rhythm, where I find sanctity that I can return to my mother anywhere in the universe,” says the Korean poet, Kim Hyesoo, in his attempt to comprehend the essence of one’s mother tongue.

Linguistic diversity resonates with the individualism of every ethnicity, culture, and one’s understanding of the world around them. Not to forget, that it is the mother tongue of over a thousand communities that stands paramount in painting this panorama of linguistic diversity in the world.

One’s mother tongue is a core element in his/her development throughout the years. In hindsight, adults realise that their mother tongue plays the most crucial role in their education. We all can unanimously agree that the most noteworthy learnings of our lives have been preached to us in our mother tongue.

Education rendered in one’s mother tongue ensures quality learning and enhanced academic performance. Studies have also revealed that the speed of learning increases efficiently when the medium of learning and communication are the same. Once education is imparted in a more preferred and comfortable language, hesitation of active participation by students is also eliminated. Naturally, it bridges the gaps in our educational system and empowers backward societies.

This way, people are also introduced to ancient scriptures and works of all literary juggernauts in their native languages. Not only does this rekindle the passion for literature, but also brings the revival of cultural and intellectual heritage. These masterpieces, written in one’s mother tongue, act as the most important source of inspiration for future generations of writers and poets. When these works are acknowledged by renowned critics, international importance is attached to one’s mother tongue.

The importance of mother tongue and native languages in education is embedded at the grassroots as well. When people receive education in their mother tongue, they are more aware of the resources and opportunities available in their area. This enables them to bring prosperity to their neighbourhood and help others overcome poverty. The availability of higher education in a language that one has been using right from birth is a blessing.

Education provided in the mother tongue can have an unprecedented effect on sociocultural aspects of society as well. Spreading awareness about critical demographic factors like population, contraceptives and family planning in the regional language can help people comprehend the problems and act on the solutions immediately. Spiritual sermons recited in the mother tongue can help strengthen the morality of an individual thus, reducing criminal activities in an area.

To encapsulate all the points, we can say that the mother tongue of a person affects all aspects of his/her education, from learning to teaching. In over 7000 languages spoken all over the world, your identity is defined by that one unique language, one unique symphony of words and one unique harmony of emotions – all consolidated in your mother tongue. So, hold on to your mother language even if it is for a day because you are a quintessential entity of it.