Before I ever understood the power of words, there was a language that quietly settled into my life. It entered without grammar books or lessons, without rules or corrections. It arrived through voices I trusted, through warmth I recognised, and through emotions I felt long before I could name them. My mother tongue was not something I learned; it was something I lived.
It was present in the rhythm of daily life. In the way elders spoke while sharing stories, in the gentle instructions given during childhood, and in the laughter that filled the air during family gatherings. It was the language in which I was comforted when I cried, encouraged when I hesitated, and celebrated when I succeeded. Even now, when I think back to those early years, the memories speak in that familiar voice.
As children, we rarely realise how deeply language shapes us. It becomes the background of our emotions, silently teaching us how to express love, anger, joy, and sorrow. My first language gave shape to my thoughts before I was even aware of thinking. It taught me how to feel safe, how to ask questions, and how to listen. It held my confusion and my curiosity with equal patience.
Growing up, the world slowly introduced me to other languages. Each new language felt like a door opening, offering access to new ideas, people, and possibilities. Education, travel, reading, and writing expanded my horizons. I embraced these languages with gratitude, knowing how much they allowed me to grow. Yet, no matter how fluent I became, none of them felt as instinctive as the language of my childhood.
There is a difference between a language you know and a language you belong to. My mother tongue belongs to me in a way no other language ever can. When I speak it, I do not translate my thoughts; I simply let them flow. It understands my pauses, my half-finished sentences, and the emotions I do not fully voice. It carries layers of meaning that cannot always be explained, only felt.
Even today, certain emotions refuse to be expressed in any other language. When joy feels too personal, when pain feels too close to the heart, or when nostalgia quietly takes over, my first language steps forward naturally. It holds the weight of honesty without effort. It allows me to be vulnerable without feeling exposed.
Our mother tongue also carries our culture within it. Traditions, values, humour, and wisdom are woven into its phrases and expressions. Some words do not have exact translations because they represent experiences unique to the lives that shaped them. Through my first language, I inherited stories of resilience, kindness, faith, and belonging, stories passed down without being formally taught.
On International Mother Language Day, remembering this feels especially important. In a world that values speed, global reach, and efficiency, it is easy to overlook the quiet power of our first language. Yet preserving it is an act of respect, towards our roots, our families, and our own identity. Speaking it, writing it, and sharing it keeps it alive.
My mother tongue may not always be visible in my work or my conversations, but it lives deeply within me. It surfaces in my thoughts, influences my emotions, and shapes how I see the world. It is the language that taught my heart how to understand life before my mind learned to analyse it.
Long after words fade and voices fall silent, this language remains. It is not just the first language I spoke; it is the first language my heart learned, and it continues to guide me, quietly and faithfully, through every chapter of my life.
Author’s Note:
No matter how many languages we speak, our first one deserves space and love. It is more than a means of communication; it is a living reminder of where we began.
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If these words echoed your own memories of language and belonging, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
– Dr Arwa Saifi
About the Writer
Dr. Arwa Saifi is an acclaimed Career Writer with over 18 years of experience in the literary and education space. Honoured with an Honorary Doctorate in Literature, she is also an Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. Her career includes contributions to Education Times, a supplement of The Times of India, where she brought her expertise to one of the country’s leading newspapers.
Dr. Saifi has served as the editor of several prestigious school and college magazines in Mumbai, shaping young voices and nurturing a culture of expression. She is the author of 10 published books and has collaborated as a co-author in more than 40 anthologies. Her work reflects a deep commitment to storytelling, education, and empowering aspiring writers.
