The mother tongue is a vital part of a child’s identity and culture. It is essential for emotional and social development”. (Baker,2011)
The language a child hears in his mother’s womb intertwines with and influences his overall personality.
According to experts, the mother tongue of a child plays a pivotal role in a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. Modern research considers it the foundation for subsequent language learning.
Psychological benefits: Many psychologists believe that learning in one’s native language has numerous benefits. The mother tongue plays a crucial role in cognitive development, enabling children to comprehend concepts more effectively and easily. This enhances their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Instruction in a familiar language fosters emotional well-being, boosts self-esteem and confidence, and reduces anxiety, thereby encouraging active classroom participation. This aspect is of utmost importance for effective learning and overall mental health.
Noam Chomsky believes that a child’s ability to acquire language is an innate capacity. The mother tongue serves as the basis for all subsequent language learning. A strong foundation in the mother tongue facilitates the acquisition of additional languages. Children who are taught in their first language can easily transfer literacy skills to second languages, leading to better academic performance across subjects.
Culture and Language: The indigenous language is a key component of every culture, as it transmits cultural values, beliefs, traditions, and identity.
The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis suggests that people from different cultures think differently due to linguistic differences. Language has the power to shape and influence perception, acting as a guide to an individual’s reality and structuring thought. It provides the framework through which people make sense of the world.
In light of this theory, it is evident that different languages shape different perceptions of life and the world. This underscores the idea that people understand and interpret life through their mother tongue. Hence, a mother language distinguishes a culture or community from others.
“When a language disappears, it takes with it an entire cultural and intellectual heritage.” (UNESCO, 18/02/2022)
The Role of Mother Tongue in Education: UNESCO advocates for multilingual education based on the mother tongue from the earliest years of schooling. It is crucial in primary education to prevent knowledge gaps and accelerate learning and comprehension.
Unfortunately, linguistic diversity is under threat today. Many languages face extinction due to the dominance of others. In Asia, where 2,296 languages are spoken, 387 are at risk because younger generations are not speaking the languages of their parents. This is the primary cause of language extinction. (UNESCO, 2020, p.11)
Negative Impacts of Implementing a Foreign Language: A case study in Zambia, an ethnically diverse country like Pakistan, highlights the challenges of adopting English as the sole medium of instruction in schools. Most children entering school had little exposure to English at home, leading to:
Low literacy rates – Many students could not read simple sentences by grade 3.
Poor learning outcomes – Limited English proficiency among teachers and students led to rote memorization rather than conceptual understanding.
High dropout rates – Children lose interest in schooling due to language barriers.
In 2014, the Zambian government reintroduced local languages (such as Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, and Lozi) as the medium of instruction for early grades (1-4) while gradually introducing English as a second language. This policy shift led to improved classroom participation, better reading and writing skills, and smoother transitions to English literacy.
Similarly, Pakistan has a rich linguistic diversity, yet English dominates the education system. Many children, especially in rural areas, struggle with learning in English, leading to poor literacy and high dropout rates. Currently, more than 26 million children in Pakistan are out of school. While there are multiple factors behind this issue, the government must reconsider the medium of instruction to enhance the quality of education in the country.
Conclusion: The integration of mother tongue instruction in primary education is not merely a pedagogical preference but a fundamental right aligned with international educational goals and human rights standards. The psychological and social benefits of mother-tongue-based education contribute to a more equitable and effective education system. By gradually incorporating mother tongues into schools, Pakistan can promote inclusivity while maintaining national unity.
