mother tongue

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But that authenticity was also palpable in Martin’s performance on Sunday — a vindication for all the years his mother tongue was manipulated in the mainstream.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

He dropped his English name, James, and resolved to write only in the language of the Kikuyu people, his mother tongue.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

For Esau, not being able to speak her mother tongue was "a wound".

From Barron's • Oct. 10, 2025

Rapping in the Irish language, a hip-hop trio from Belfast lead a movement to save their mother tongue.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2025

Now, too, I have lost my old mother tongue.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee