For decades, English has been seen as the key to success, leading many parents to prioritize it over their mother tongue. While fluency in English certainly opens doors, the cost has been steep—many children today grow up speaking only one language, even when they come from families with a rich linguistic heritage. In the process, we are not just losing language; we are also losing culture. The values, traditions, and unique ways of thinking embedded in our native languages are fading as more families shift entirely to English. We are embracing Western culture, often at the expense of our own, believing that it will bring success. But in doing so, are we depriving our children of the deeper cognitive and cultural benefits of being bilingual?
The Cognitive Advantages of Bilingualism
Research has consistently shown that bilingualism enhances brain development. A study by Ellen Bialystok found that bilingual children have stronger cognitive abilities, particularly in areas like problem-solving, multitasking, and creative thinking (Bialystok, 1999). Another study published in Cognitive Science showed that bilingual children develop better executive function—the brain’s ability to focus, plan, and switch between tasks—compared to monolingual children (Blanco-Elorrieta & Pylkkänen, 2018).
In simple terms, learning two languages from a young age trains the brain to be more flexible. It’s like giving a child a mental workout every day, strengthening their ability to think critically and adapt to new challenges.
Language and Identity: Why It Matters
Language is more than just words; it carries history, traditions, and a way of seeing the world. When children grow up without learning their mother tongue, they lose a crucial part of their identity. Studies have shown that bilingual children have a stronger connection to their heritage and a greater sense of belonging (Oh & Fuligni, 2010).
For example, a child who grows up in a Malayalam-speaking household but is encouraged to speak only English may never fully grasp the depth of Malayalam literature, poetry, or traditional wisdom. This creates a disconnect—not just from family elders who may not be fluent in English, but also from cultural values that are often passed down through language.
A study from the University of Chicago found that bilingual children are better at understanding different perspectives because they are used to switching between languages and cultural contexts (Fan, Liberman, Keysar & Kinzler, 2015). This means that raising children in a bilingual environment doesn’t just preserve culture—it also makes them more empathetic and socially aware.
Breaking the Myth: “Bilingual Kids Start Speaking Late”
One of the biggest concerns parents have is that exposing children to multiple languages might delay speech. While bilingual children might take slightly longer to start speaking, studies show that they eventually catch up and often surpass monolingual children in language skills (Paradis, Genesee & Crago, 2011). In reality, bilingual children are not confused—they are simply processing two linguistic systems at once, which strengthens their brains.
Take the example of Rohan, a child growing up in a Hindi-speaking home in Kochi while learning English at school. His parents initially worried that he was mixing languages, saying sentences like “Mujhe banana chahiye, but I don’t want to.”But instead of seeing this as a problem, researchers call it “code-switching,” a sign that the brain is efficiently managing multiple languages. As Rohan grew older, he became fluent in both languages, showing a richer vocabulary and stronger communication skills than his monolingual peers.
Encouraging Parents to Speak Their Mother Tongue
Parents often feel pressured to speak only English at home, fearing that their children might struggle in school. But research shows that maintaining the mother tongue at home actually strengthens a child’s overall linguistic ability. A study from the University of Edinburgh found that children who are fluent in their mother tongue find it easier to learn additional languages later in life (Sorace & Serratrice, 2009).
So what can parents do?
- Speak your language at home – Don’t worry if your child is learning English at school. Speaking your mother tongue at home gives them a strong foundation in both languages.
- Read and tell stories in your language – Traditional stories carry cultural wisdom. By sharing them, you are passing down values, history, and a love for your heritage.
- Sing songs and rhymes – Music makes language learning fun and memorable. Traditional lullabies and folk songs are an easy way to keep the language alive.
- Don’t switch entirely to English – It’s okay if children mix languages initially. Over time, they will learn to separate them naturally.
Conclusion
Being bilingual is not just about speaking two languages—it’s about preserving a way of thinking, connecting with one’s roots, and enhancing cognitive abilities. While English remains important, it should not come at the cost of losing our rich linguistic and cultural heritage. By raising bilingual children, we are giving them a gift that extends beyond language—a gift of deeper understanding, stronger cognitive skills, and a connection to who they truly are.
So let’s not be afraid to speak our mother tongue. Let’s tell our stories, sing our songs, and give our children the advantage of growing up in a bilingual world.
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