First language (native language, mother tongue, or This article addresses vernacular language; see also vernacular architecture. The vernacular is the native language of a country or locality. In previous centuries scholarly work in western Europe was typically written in Latin, so the works written in a native language (such as Italian or German) were said to be... vernacular) is the As with any complex, emergent concept, language is somewhat resistant to definition. However, most would agree that language is a system of communication or reasoning using representation along with metaphor and some manner of logical grammar, all of which presuppose a historical and at least temporarily transcendent standard or truth... language a person learns first. Correspondingly, the person is called a native speaker of the language. Usually a child learns the basics of their first language from their family.

Good skills in native language are essential for further learning, as native language is thought to be a base of thinking. Incomplete first language skills often make learning other languages difficult. Native language has therefore a central role in Education encompasses teaching and learning specific skills, and also something less tangible but more profound: the imparting of knowledge, good judgement and wisdom. Education has as one of its fundamental goals the imparting of culture from generation to generation (see socialization). Contents // 1 Overview 2 History of education 2.1... education.

The term "mother tongue" could be misleading. In some paternal societies, mothers are from different places and speak different dialects or languages. Yet their children usually only speak their local language. Only a few will learn to speak his/her mother's language like a native. Actually, mother in this context probably originated from the definition of mother as source, or origin.

One can have two (or more) native languages, thus being a native The term bilingualism (from bi meaning two and lingua meaning language) can refer to rather different phenomena. Sociolinguists distinguish: bilingualism at the personal level bilingualism at the societal level bilingualism at the interaction level Contents // 1 Bilingualism at the personal level 2 Bilingualism at the societal level 3 Bilingual at... bilingual. The order in which these languages are learnt is not necessarily the order of proficiency. For instance, a French (Français) Spoken in: France and 53 other countries Region: Europe Total speakers: 77 million (128 million with second language speakers) Ranking: 11 Genetic classification: Indo-European   Italic    Romance    Italo-Western     Western      Gallo... French-speaking couple might have a daughter who learned French first, then The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. It is the third most common first language (native speakers), with around 402 million people in 2002. English has lingua franca status in many parts of the world, due to the military, economic, scientific, political and cultural influence... English; but if she grew up in the United States, she is likely to become more proficient in English.

See also

• The term bilingualism (from bi meaning two and lingua meaning language) can refer to rather different phenomena. Sociolinguists distinguish: bilingualism at the personal level bilingualism at the societal level bilingualism at the interaction level Contents // 1 Bilingualism at the personal level 2 Bilingualism at the societal level 3 Bilingual at... bilingual
• The manner in which a child acquires language is a matter long debated by linguists and child psychologists alike. The father of most nativist theories of language acquisition is Noam Chomsky, who brought greater attention to the innate capacity of children for learning language, which had widely been considered a... language acquisition
• This article or section should include material from New literacy studies. Literacy is the ability to use text to communicate across space and time. It is often reduced to read and write, or, sometimes, the ability to read. In modern context, the word means reading and writing in a level... literacy
• A second language is any language other than the first, or native, language learnt and used because of geographical or social reasons; it is distinguished from a foreign language. Linguist Eric Lenneberg uses the term in his Critical Period Hypothesis to mean a language consciously learned or used by its... second language
• A sign language (also signed language) is a language which uses gestures instead of sound to convey meaning - combining handshapes, orientation and movement of the hands, arms or body, facial expressions and lip-patterns. Sign languages are usually developed in deaf communities, which include interpreters and friends and families of... sign language