Significance of Native Language in Young People

The term native language, also known as arterial language, mother tongue or first language refers to the language that a child naturally learns, absorb, and acquire in early childhood life due to a significant exposure to a particular linguistic variety primarily by means of using it in the family or in the location where the child lives. Every native language or mother tongue with its own distinct characteristic features or traits make them allure and appealing. It is a quintessence of hereditary ideals and socio-cultural identities. The use of mother tongue or native language in our younger generation can add to the personal or social as well as an intellectual growth of a child. That’s the primary reason why governments of developed countries, including the US and Canada are promoting bilingualism, biliteracy, and multicultural proficiency among both language majors and language-minority students in the early years. The very same trend of going back to the roots to treasure and retain their native dialects can be seen in our lives too. These days individuals endeavour to take every little step towards fostering bilingualism (the ability to communicate fluently in a language other than the native language) in their offspring as it leads to several cognitive advantages.

As stated by scholars, teaching native language can help them to care, a self-concept, resulting in uninterrupted logical growth and advancement. This is the primary reason why migrating parents or people residing in foreign countries encourage their children to get hold of the native dialects. For instance, Keralites living abroad, mostly inspire and boost their younger ones to use and maintain their native tongue Malayalam that is spoken by 34 million people worldwide. Distinct old generations who gave more importance to foreign tongues and turned away from the ‘own’ language, the present generation is converging more on learning and usage of Malayalam which was designated a Classical language of India in 2013. At present many Malayali parents are constantly looking for some online Malayalam classes intended to foster Malayalam language in their younger generations. More than a process of language learning, they see it as a medium to gain several benefits like augmented communication ability, better cultural competence, and enhanced executive functions. Besides, online tutoring of Malayalam classes can help the child to get used to the language in the same way his or her parents use and thereby strengthen their connections more efficiently.

Children living in foreign countries would naturally encompass the ability to earn proficiency in the language they are exposed to. Parents can look up various Malayalam online teaching platforms to encourage their kids taking Malayalam tuition online to acquire language competency. Numerous language tutors are affording private or individual and group classes to give Malayalam classes online for learners of various age groups via various platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp, etc. Learning native language in the right way helps foster a sense of belonging and can aid children at a young age to create a personal connection to the roots. Unlike other linguistic varieties, Malayalam has the ability to convey the true meaning of a message without losing its sense. If imparted in the right way, that is to sharpen young minds instead of confusing, the greatest benefit parents can witness include social and emotional development, long term success, ability to comprehend ideas faster and even more. Command over more language varieties can assist our kids to gain more command in English as well as other languages. On a closer view on an academic level, kids who learn English and endure to develop their native tongue can have higher academic results. Above all having a rational interaction with mother tongue can behold connections positively so that the child values his or her rich cultural heritage, legacy and ethnicities which confers to a more positive perception of self.