Seldom we may think about, what do we lose, how much does it add value, build our circles and most importantly how does it "feel" by not speaking a core language. Yes, it is our mother tongue.
Being grown up in a south indian family, despite being travelled abroad, and grew up in northern india, lived in north and southern india, I have been emphasized knowingly or unknowingly the need of talking, reading and writing in mother tongue - Tamil, atleast at home to a significant extent or atleast talk the language which you have been hearing since you were born from your parents.
No matter where you go, what you learn, the true roots of you, get bloomed when you express your anger, sorrow, joy, anxiety and even pain in your own language.
Whether talking or understanding of mother tongue alone is a point of survival? May be not, but it is brings about a togetherness and a unity among our own people, and helps to carry on the tradition beyond generations.
I was surprised and taken aback, few days back, when a German lady who has attended a tamil conference in Chennai, was talking clearly in tamil and emphasizing the need for learning one's own mother tongue.
When we go for a job for Germany or even to study, we need to clear and learn few levels of German to qualify. Same holds good for most of the international languages. The more you learn any one of - French, Japanese,Mandarin etc. you have an added advantage to gain more opportunities, meet more acquaintances.
Language of your own can also help you to talk secrets before someone, who is not aware of it :)
Even though the trend is moving towards speaking english even at home and then the "Daddy-Mummy" culture, rather than saying "Appa-Amma", for the sake of status or pride, the real pride is in holding your own identity.
Despite speaking english or hindi instead of tamil or any of your mother tongue, when it comes to following culture or traditions or even looking for a marriage, we come back again to our native and enforce that we should follow our culture and language?? which has really talked about in ages in our own family!!
It is my own observation and listening across the different families, and society in general, which you might also have crossed situations.
There is no force nor it is necessary, until you think that its like having your own kith and kin. Feel your language and never lose your own identity, and next time you step into a Cafe Day in your local area, try ordering something in your own language and see the reaction :D)
Being grown up in a south indian family, despite being travelled abroad, and grew up in northern india, lived in north and southern india, I have been emphasized knowingly or unknowingly the need of talking, reading and writing in mother tongue - Tamil, atleast at home to a significant extent or atleast talk the language which you have been hearing since you were born from your parents.
No matter where you go, what you learn, the true roots of you, get bloomed when you express your anger, sorrow, joy, anxiety and even pain in your own language.
Whether talking or understanding of mother tongue alone is a point of survival? May be not, but it is brings about a togetherness and a unity among our own people, and helps to carry on the tradition beyond generations.
I was surprised and taken aback, few days back, when a German lady who has attended a tamil conference in Chennai, was talking clearly in tamil and emphasizing the need for learning one's own mother tongue.
When we go for a job for Germany or even to study, we need to clear and learn few levels of German to qualify. Same holds good for most of the international languages. The more you learn any one of - French, Japanese,Mandarin etc. you have an added advantage to gain more opportunities, meet more acquaintances.
Language of your own can also help you to talk secrets before someone, who is not aware of it :)
Even though the trend is moving towards speaking english even at home and then the "Daddy-Mummy" culture, rather than saying "Appa-Amma", for the sake of status or pride, the real pride is in holding your own identity.
Despite speaking english or hindi instead of tamil or any of your mother tongue, when it comes to following culture or traditions or even looking for a marriage, we come back again to our native and enforce that we should follow our culture and language?? which has really talked about in ages in our own family!!
It is my own observation and listening across the different families, and society in general, which you might also have crossed situations.
There is no force nor it is necessary, until you think that its like having your own kith and kin. Feel your language and never lose your own identity, and next time you step into a Cafe Day in your local area, try ordering something in your own language and see the reaction :D)
