Imagine this: you’re in a new country, learning a new language, trying to fit in. You confidently walk into a coffee shop, order a cappuccino in your best foreign accent, and then—boom!—the barista answers so fast you feel like they just cast a spell. Your brain freezes. Panic mode: activated.
But then, you hear something familiar. A word, a phrase, maybe even your own language spoken at the next table. Suddenly, you feel at home. That, my friend, is the magic of your mother tongue!
Your first language isn’t just a way to communicate, it’s part of your identity. It’s the language your family uses when they call you to dinner. It’s the words that make you laugh at childhood jokes. It’s the comfort you find when you’re feeling lost.
More than that, studies show that speaking multiple languages can make you smarter, more creative, and even better at problem-solving. Your brain is like a gym, and each language you speak is another workout for those mental muscles!
If you’re studying abroad, you might feel the pressure to speak only the local language. But don’t forget, your mother tongue is a bridge between where you come from and where you are now. Sharing your language with new friends can be a way to bond. Teach them a funny phrase, or challenge them to pronounce your trickiest words (watch them struggle, it’s hilarious!).
Did you know that today is International Mother Language Day? It’s a day to celebrate linguistic diversity and appreciate the beautiful variety of languages spoken worldwide. Whether you speak one language or five, your mother tongue is part of what makes you, you.
So next time someone asks you to teach them a word from your native language, do it proudly! And if you ever feel homesick, just say something in your own language, it might be the little piece of home you need.
What’s the funniest or most unique word in your language? Share it with your friends and keep the magic alive!
Leonardo Brecchia