Cultural Heritage - Mother Tongue : Sukhpreet Kaur

The melodious sounds of which one hears, understands and gets familiar in the mother-tongue since the very beginning, has an important role in shaping our feelings, emotions and thought-processes. It plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's cultural identity and personal development. The first language that children learn, and they are closely tied to family, community, and cultural traditions. When children are educated in their mother language, they are more likely to be engaged in the learning process, have better academic outcomes, and develop a strong sense of cultural identity. The concept of the mother-tongue is a fascinating aspect of language that has transcended generations.

Mother language instructions- Preservation of Cultural Heritage and Identity. 

The importance of mother languages extends beyond the individual and the community, as linguistic and cultural diversity is an important aspect of the world's cultural heritage. Every language represents a unique perspective on the world and reflects the experiences of a particular community. When a language is lost, a valuable cultural perspective is lost as well. This is why it is important to preserve and promote linguistic and cultural diversity, to ensure that future generations can connect with their cultural roots.

Scientific research has shown that learning a child's mother language can positively impact their overall cognitive development and academic success. Here are some key findings that highlight the importance of education in one’s mother language:

§  Bridging the gap

§  Improved literacy

§  Improved cognitive development

§  Better motivation and engagement

§  Promoting inclusiveness and Understanding.

§  Cultural events and programs:

One way to support our cultural heritage our mother language education is by promoting multilingual education, which emphasizes the importance of learning multiple languages. This type of education not only helps to preserve linguistic and cultural diversity but also promotes language learning and cross-cultural understanding.

Ways in which we can revive our cultural Heritage

•  Speak the mother tongue at home
• Make a routine to teach the language
• Stories are the best way to capture any child’s interest and attention.
• Teach them rhymes and poems
• Inspire your child to join in discussions every day and ask them to speak in the language.
• Call their grandparents or relatives speaking only in the Mother Tongue through video calls.
• Read holy book together
• Inspire them to travel, especially to areas where the Mother Tongue is practised. 
• Collaboration with other organizations:

§  So, mother language instruction is essential for language and literacy development, as well as for the preservation of cultural heritage and identity. The importance of mother languages extends beyond the individual and the community, as linguistic and cultural diversity is an important aspect of the world's cultural heritage. Every language represents a unique perspective on the world and reflects the experiences of a particular community. When a language is lost, a valuable cultural perspective is lost as well. This is why it is important to preserve and promote linguistic and cultural diversity, to ensure that future generations can connect with their cultural roots.

Sukhpreet Kaur
Gyanshree School