native tongue
/ˈneɪtɪv ˈtɒŋ/ · na·tive ·tong
noun
- The language spoken by the indigenous people of a region or country. The native tongue of the Inuit people is Inuktitut.
- A person's mother language or the language they learned first. Her native tongue was Spanish, but she also spoke fluent English.
Did you know? The concept of a 'native tongue' is significant in linguistics, as it highlights the importance of language in shaping a person's identity and cultural heritage.