What is native language?

A native language (also called first language, maternal language or mother tongue) is a language that one learns early in life and typically associates with one's native culture. Learning one's native language usually starts from infancy, and it continues throughout childhood, especially via education.

Native languages are often strongly tied to our sense of identity and cultural belonging. They allow individuals to communicate effectively within their communities and to engage in cultural activities such as storytelling, traditional ceremonies, and artistic expressions.

Additionally, native languages can hold significance in areas like cultural preservation, intellectual development, literature, and education. Understanding and preserving native languages can contribute to the maintenance and revitalization of endangered cultural practices, knowledge systems, and ways of life.

Therefore, native languages play a crucial role in shaping human experiences and perspectives, facilitating communication within various contexts, and serving as a cornerstone of cultural identity and heritage.